Tina Fey called him a genius. Sarah Silverman said he was her inspiration. Steve Martin was the object of this affection Thursday night when he received the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award during a private ceremony at Hollywood’s Dolby Theater. Almost a dozen actors appeared on stage to toast his talents. Jack Black opened the evening, set to air as a special June 13 on TBS, with a rendition of “I’m Picking Out a Thermos for You” from Martin’s 1979 breakthrough film, “The Jerk.
