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Steve Martin has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the cancellation of two shows in Virginia scheduled with close friend and longtime collaborator Martin Short. These performances, part of their Dukes of Funnytown! Tour, were set for Friday and Saturday nights in Virginia Beach and Richmond.
A pause in the tour due to COVID
Steve Martin announced the news himself through his Instagram account, writing directly to affected fans: “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 & tomorrow. But we will return under better circumstances.” Always with a touch of humor and gentleness, Martin accompanied the post with a photo of his dog, perhaps to soften the blow of the announcement.
Later, he posted a photo of a COVID test strip showing a positive result with the caption, “Hey! No Flu!”—a nod to his way of treating the situation with calm and light irony, without downplaying the seriousness.
His official website confirmed the cancellations, emphasizing a measure taken “out of an abundance of caution.” Refunds are being offered to all ticket holders. To read Pluribus finale shocks fans as season 2 faces long wait
Personally, I find it touching how Martin handles the situation: honesty, responsibility, and a bit of humor. That’s exactly what we love about him, both on stage and off.
A tour already disrupted earlier this year
This isn’t the first hiccup for the Dukes of Funnytown! Tour. Back in February, both Martin Short and Maya Rudolph contracted COVID after attending the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special. That resulted in canceled dates in Knoxville and Durham, eventually rescheduled for October 17 and 18.
For fans following this tour, here’s a quick recap of key changes so far:
- February: Knoxville and Durham shows canceled and moved to October
- September: Virginia Beach and Richmond shows canceled due to Steve Martin’s positive COVID test
- Refunds available for all affected dates
It’s always a little heartbreaking when a tour we look forward to gets interrupted, especially when it involves performers of Martin and Short’s caliber. Their energy on stage is so rare, so organically funny, that missing out feels like missing an important moment.
What’s next for the comedy duo?
Barring further complications, Steve Martin is expected to return to the stage on Saturday, October 4, in Hollywood, Florida. The Dukes of Funnytown! Tour will then continue into 2025 and wrap up officially on April 26, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. To read Taylor Swift opens up in final Eras Tour docuseries episode
Knowing Martin, the return will be memorable. Every show is a reunion with his audience, filled with precise timing, offbeat warmth, and undeniable chemistry with Short. If you’ve never seen them live, it’s more than stand-up—it’s a celebration of friendship, craft, and absurdity delivered with grace.
Beyond the stage: Only Murders continues
Even as the live shows pause, Steve Martin remains active on screen. The fifth season of Only Murders in the Building, where he stars alongside Martin Short and Selena Gomez, has recently launched on Hulu. The series continues to strike that delicate balance between comedy and mystery, powered in large part by the effortless charm of its central trio.
When I see Martin and Short together, whether in a theater or on screen, there’s always this sense of time standing still. Two friends making each other laugh, and inviting us along for the ride. Moments like these remind me why I fell in love with shows and films in the first place: not just for stories, but for the personalities behind them.
Let’s hope Steve recovers quickly. The stage, like our screens, feels just a bit emptier without him.
