Steve Martin is no stranger to the big screen having starred in classic films such as _Planes, Trains and Automobiles _and_ Father of the Bride_, and newer television series like _Only

Murders in the Building_. But there is one aspect of Martin’s life that fans know little about: his marriage to writer Anne Stringfield. The couple met in the mid-2000s when Stringfield was

a fact-checker for _The New Yorker_, and they eventually got married in 2007. Their wedding was a surprise for both their guests and the press. Martin and Stringfield went on to welcome a

daughter in 2012. The iconic comedian previously told PEOPLE that meeting Stringfield was “an important episode” in his life. “She makes it all possible. She has one of the most important

Stringfield and her relationship with the actor. SHE’S FROM FLORIDA AND WENT TO COLLEGE IN NORTH CAROLINA Stringfield was reportedly raised in Pensacola, Florida, but moved to North Carolina

after high school to attend Davidson College, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Stringfield was also a member of The Phi Beta Kappa Society, America’s “most prestigious academic

honor society.” SHE’S A WRITER AND FORMER STAFFER FOR _THE_ _NEW YORKER_ Stringfield worked as a fact-checker for _The New Yorker_ and last contributed to the publication in 2012. Her work

has also appeared in _Vogue_. SHE MET MARTIN OVER THE TELEPHONE  Speaking of _The New Yorker_, Martin often writes for the magazine’s Shouts & Murmurs section, among others — and that’s

exactly how he and Stringfield met. During her time as a fact-checker, Stringfield was asked to check one of Martin’s comedy pieces and the rest was history. "We talked on the phone for

a year before we even met," Martin told AARP in 2017. Friends of Stringfield also told the outlet that “on first acquaintance she is deeply shy.” SHE AND MARTIN HAD A SURPRISE WEDDING

AT THEIR HOME IN LOS ANGELES On July 28, 2007, Martin and Stringfield wed in a surprise ceremony at the couple’s L.A. home. Approximately 75 guests were in attendance and former Nebraska

Sen. Bob Kerrey, who is also a friend of Martin’s, officiated the ceremony. According to Martin’s publicist Alan Nierob, there was a star-studded guest list that included Eugene Levy, Tom

Hanks, and Diane Keaton. All guests were told they’d been invited to the Martin home to attend a “party,” only to be surprised by the couples’ nuptials. Stringfield reportedly wore Vera Wang

and Martin chose _Saturday Night Live_ creator Lorne Michaels as his best man. SHE BEARS A REMARKABLE RESEMBLANCE TO COMEDIAN TINA FEY In 2015, Stringfield made a rare appearance at the

Dolby Theater to support Martin as he received the 43rd American Film Institute Life Achievement Award. During the ceremony, Tina Fey — who is a longtime friend of Martin’s — commented on

the similarities between Stringfield and herself. Martin married “a woman who is, I think a younger, thinner, smarter version of me,” Fey said. To which the actor responded, “She does look

like my wife!” In fact, Stringfield even made a cameo in season 2 of _Only Murders in the Building _as a lookalike of Fey's character Cinda Canning. SHE AND MARTIN ARE AVID ART

COLLECTORS  Martin and Stringfield lent works of Aboriginal Australian art from their personal collection to Larry Gagosian’s Madison Avenue gallery in New York City in 2019. “I never talk

about our art collection, because it’s our private sanctuary, but I am so enthused about the Indigenous art,” Martin told Australia’s ABC that year. “There is no doubt these [desert

paintings] hang well with others and that one day they will be in the company of great contemporary art at auction and not culled out as a special field.” SHE AND MARTIN WELCOMED A BABY IN

2012  The _Cheaper by the Dozen_ star may be known for his role as a fun-loving on-screen father, but it wasn’t until 2012 that he and Stringfield had a child of their own. A year after

their daughter’s birth, Martin gave an emotional speech about becoming a first-time father at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Governors Awards. "My wife alone

would have been enough reward for my life … but now she's brought me a wonderful child,” he told the audience. In 2017, Martin spoke with AARP about parenting a young child at 71 years

old, calling it “fantastic.” He added, "I think if I'd had a child earlier, I would have been a lousy father because I would have misplaced my attention on my career. I am very

forthcoming with her, and it's great. She's giving me way more than I'm giving her." SHE’S NEVER WALKED THE RED CARPET WITH MARTIN Despite Martin’s fame, he and

Stringfield prefer to keep their personal life private. In fact, in 1990 Martin told _The Oklahoman_ that he wasn’t a fan of interviews. "I don't really have a tabloid life,"

Martin said. "I really don't like to talk about it [his personal life]. I think most people are this way.” In 2015, he also admitted that his wife also prefers to stay out of the

spotlight and has “never walked a red carpet.” She has accompanied her husband to a few industry events, however, including the _Vanity Fair_ Oscar Party in 2013 and 2015. Most recently, the

couple attended the American Museum Of Natural History Gala in November 2021, where they were seated with musician Dave Grohl and Lorne Michaels.