Steve Martin Honored by New York Public Library Before Birthday

Steve Martin, actor and writer, was honored as a literary lion by the New York Public Library earlier this month just in time for his 65th birthday on Saturday, Aug. 14.

Steve Martin is honored at the 2010 Starkey Hearing Foundation 10th Annual 'So the World May Hear' Gala at Saint Paul RiverCentre on July 25, 2010 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images for Starkey Hearing Foundation

NEW YORK—Steve Martin, actor and writer, was honored as a literary lion by the New York Public Library earlier this month just in time for his 65th birthday on Saturday, Aug. 14.

Other than Martin, the library also awarded four others: actor-author Ethan Hawke, authors Malcolm Gladwell and Zadie Smith, and the library’s President Paul LeClerc.

The five individuals were awarded for their “contributions to the world of ideas.” They will be honored at the annual Library Lions Gala on Nov. 1 at the Stephen A. Schwarzman building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.

“The individuals we are honoring this November represent the very essence of distinction and imagination in their respective fields,” said Catherine Marron, chairman of the library, in a press release.

No cash prize is given for the honor.