Apatow credits Martin for teenage comedy boost

Funny filmmaker Judd Apatow credits comedy great Steve Martin with kickstarting his Hollywood career - after The Jerk star refused to sign an autograph for him.

The man behind movie hits Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin grew up idolising Martin and would visit the comic's Hollywood home during his summers in the hope of catching a glimpse of his hero.

And when the comic appeared once, Apatow approached him and asked for his autograph. Martin refused, explaining he never gave autographs at his home.

The teenage Apatow was so upset by the snub he left his hero a note, threatening to give his address to tourists.

He recalls, "(I said) if he didn't send me his autograph I was gonna send his address to Homes of The Stars and he would have tour buses passing by.

"He sent me an autographed book of cool shoes that said, 'To Judd, I'm sorry I didn't realise I was talking to the Judd Apatow.'

"As I look back on it now I really do see it as a big turning point for me because it was the first time I thought, 'I think I made someone really funny laugh - because he would not have sent me this book if my letter to him didn't make him laugh.'"

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