Steve Martin has canceled two performances of his comedy tour after testing positive for Covid-19 shortly before he was set to take the stage. The 80-year-old comedian, alongside his long-time collaborator Martin Short, was scheduled to perform in Virginia Beach and Richmond over the weekend as part of their tour titled The Dukes of Funnytown!
In an announcement on Instagram, Martin expressed his regret, stating, “Dear Virginia Beach and Richmond. Sadly, I have come down with Covid. I can’t possibly do the shows that you deserve. So Marty and I must cancel tonight and tomorrow.” He reassured fans that they would return “under better circumstances.” Accompanying his message was a lighthearted photo of a dog wearing Mickey Mouse ears, which added a touch of humor to the disappointing news.
Following the cancellation, Martin shared a test strip image that indicated a positive Covid result alongside a negative flu result, captioning it, “Hey! No flu!” Promoters have confirmed that ticket holders will receive refunds for the canceled shows, easing some concerns for fans.
Fans took to social media to send their well wishes. One commenter wrote, “I hope you feel better very soon, Steve. Take extra care of you.” Another expressed a long-standing desire to see him perform live, saying, “Please come back when you feel better. I’ve wanted to see you in person for over 40 years.”
The comedy duo is next scheduled to perform in Florida on October 4, 2023. This date was originally set for January, but was postponed when Martin himself tested positive for Covid at that time. The tour is expected to continue with upcoming stops in Las Vegas, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Austin, before wrapping up in Cleveland in April 2026.
Recent Emmy Awards Appearance
Last Sunday, Martin and Short attended the Emmy Awards alongside their co-star Selena Gomez from the hit Hulu series, Only Murders in the Building. The show, now in its fifth season, continues to release episodes weekly and received seven nominations at this year’s ceremony, including an acting nomination for Martin, although it did not secure any awards.
Since its debut, Only Murders in the Building has garnered significant acclaim, receiving 56 nominations overall and winning seven trophies. The series features Martin, Short, and Gomez as New York neighbors—Charles-Haden Savage, Oliver Putnam, and Mabel Mora—who become amateur sleuths embroiled in a series of murders. The fifth season has introduced new guest stars, including Renée Zellweger, Keegan-Michael Key, Christoph Waltz, and Logan Lerman. The first three episodes premiered on September 9, 2023, with new episodes released every Tuesday.
As Martin recuperates, fans remain hopeful for his swift recovery and look forward to his return to the stage.
