Steve Martin Reveals Pink Panther’s Funniest Scene Ever

Steve Martin, known for his extensive career in comedy, highlighted his favorite scene from the 2006 film The Pink Panther, which marked its 20th anniversary on February 10. Celebrated as an Emmy-winning actor, Martin expressed fondness for a particular comedic moment that stood out during the film’s production. The scene showcases his character, Inspector Clouseau, struggling with mastering an American accent.

The Iconic Hamburger Scene That Defined the Film’s Humor

In the film, Inspector Clouseau fears his French accent will compromise his disguise while on a mission in New York City. To blend in, he visits a dialect coach and repeatedly attempts to say the phrase

“I would like to buy a hamburger,”

delivering it in increasingly absurd ways. Martin explained,

“We aimed our movie at a younger audience than the originals, and I’m proud that the movie has the favorite comic scene I’ve ever done: ‘I would like to buy a HAMMBERRRRGAU.’”

Martin’s playful mispronunciation became a signature moment, balancing both homage and fresh comedy within the film.

Behind the Scenes: Filming in Paris and Honoring Peter Sellers

Martin described the filming experience as particularly enjoyable, praising the creative set environment and camaraderie among the crew. The production took place in Paris, where lunches were shared alongside wine—though Martin himself abstained from drinking. He also expressed respect for Peter Sellers, the original actor behind Inspector Clouseau, saying,

“I was shooting in Paris, working with wonderful people on a creative set. There were crew lunches over tablecloths bearing carafes of wine (though I abstained), and I was honored to follow in the footsteps of my hero, Peter Sellers.”

Director Shawn Levy on the Hamburger Scene’s Enduring Popularity

Director Shawn Levy recalled that even 20 years after the film’s release, audiences still reference the now-iconic hamburger scene. Levy shared,

“To this day, 20 years later, people come up to me just to say, ‘I would like to buy a hamburger.’ That scene started with Steve Martin pitching me an idea over lunch one day.”

He explained that the concept of Clouseau attending dialect coaching sessions evolved into a scene built around a single sentence repeated in hilarious variations. Levy emphasized,

“It was, what if Clouseau had to go to a dialect coach? And the whole scene is maybe one single sentence repeated 50 times. In the most absurd and increasingly ridiculous ways. I knew as soon as he pitched me that premise that that was a juicy idea, particularly with a performer like Steve.”

Aligning Comedy with Performer’s Style

Reflecting on his collaboration with Martin, Levy highlighted how crucial it was for comedic ideas to suit the performer’s unique style. He stated,

“Steve Martin taught me that the comedic premise needs to align with the ethos of the performer. That a funny idea isn’t truly funny unless it matches up with the form of funny that the comedic performer delivers best. So this idea of a dialect coaching scene for Inspector Clouseau with Steve Martin as Clouseau was ripe for hilarity.”

This synergy between material and performer helped create a memorable and universally appealing moment in the film.

Audience Reactions and Testing the Scene’s Impact

The filmmakers were pleasantly surprised by the scene’s reception during test screenings. Levy recalled,

“A 30-second-long scene got significantly longer because the laughs just kept coming. That was a scene that snuck up on us. And to this day is more beloved than I could have ever anticipated. It’s such a simple idea, but brilliantly performed by Steve and our actor playing the dialect coach.”

This unexpected audience enthusiasm contributed to the scene’s lasting appeal within the movie’s legacy.

Mentorship and Partnership Between Martin and Levy

Levy described his professional relationship with Steve Martin as formative, having worked together on multiple films including Cheaper By The Dozen before The Pink Panther. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying,

“To collaborate with and learn from Steve Martin twice on two separate movies in my early career shaped the career that followed. Not only the fun and laughs we shared on set, but the tutelage and the comedy and film education I got from Steve over dinners and lunches and coffees and walks, well beyond the confines of the set. Those are with me still.”

The Lasting Legacy of the Pink Panther Comedy

Levy acknowledged the continued impact of The Pink Panther two decades later, especially how its humor resonates with fans across generations. He remarked,

“The fact that people still quote that movie to Steve and I, strangers who will come up to us and reference a line or a moment in that movie, to know that it reached the audience we made it for, it got the laughs we built it for, and it stuck around 20 years later, that’s as gratifying a feeling is any filmmaker can ask for.”

This lasting connection with audiences demonstrates the film’s significance and the enduring charm of Steve Martin’s comedic talent.