Beloved ‘70s and ‘80s star Catlin Adams, known for her roles in “The Jerk,” “The Jazz Singer,” and “Square Pegs,” was spotted in a rare outing in Los Angeles this week. Adams lives mostly under the radar, so seeing her again after all these years is special for fans.
Catlin Adams Seen in Rare Public Outing, Concealing Her Appearance
In photos obtained by the Daily Mail and published on Saturday, September 5, Adams was seen wearing bright blue capri pants, a bucket hat, a white shirt, sunglasses, and sandals. Her curly hair, hat, and sunglasses concealed Adams’ identity, and she looked almost unrecognizable during her recent outing.
Catlin Adams Reflects on Her Breakout Role With Steve Martin
GettyAdams has mostly disappeared from the limelight, but in a rare interview with CHS 97.9 FM, she reflected on her role in “The Jerk.” The 1979 film directed by Carl Reiner starred Adams, Bernadette Peters and Steve Martin, and it was Martin’s first starring role. It is also considered one of Adams’ most memorable performances, and she played Patty Bernstein.
In 2019, the film celebrated its 40th anniversary, and Adams reflected on her part and the experience of working with Martin in her interview. Adams revealed that Martin had been “shocked” during their audition. “I played this character, Patty Bernstein, and you know it was not a typical part, so they had an audition, and I auditioned with Steve Martin in the room at Carl Reiner, the director, the fabulous Carl Reiner,” she recalled. “In the audition, basically, when I was working with Steve, I threw him against the wall. I ripped his shirt open, threw him on a couch, and then I got on top of him, and needless to say, I got the part.”
She continued, “His entire reaction to me was sort of a semi-smile. At the end of it … he was very pliable. He was like goo; I could do anything I wanted to him, and he just followed along, so it was really fun.”
Steve Martin the Shy Guy
GettyAt the time, Adams had no idea Martin was a comedy genius, and he would go on to prove it on “Saturday Night Live” and in multiple memorable comedy films and series over the next few decades. She revealed that the year she met him was the first year that he had been elected as one of the hosts of SNL.
“I didn’t know who he was I had no idea who he was as a matter fact I was in film school at the time I was at AFI so I had no I wasn’t watching television I didn’t know what Saturday Night Live was,” she shared. “So when I met him he was just kind of this kind of quiet shy guy but I didn’t know that wild crazy guy I didn’t know the comedian.” She added, “So I was kind of naive and just trying to do this part the best way I knew.”
