Steve Guttenberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steve Guttenberg
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Steve Guttenberg in October 2013
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Steven Robert Guttenberg
August 24, 1958 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Years active | 1977–present |
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Denise Bixler
(m. 1988; div. 1992)Emily Smith
(m. 2019) |
Steven Robert Guttenberg (born August 24, 1958) is an American actor, author, and producer. He is well-known for his main roles in popular movies. Some of his famous films include Cocoon, Police Academy, Three Men and a Baby, and Short Circuit.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps
Steve Guttenberg was born on August 24, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up with his two sisters. His mom was a surgical assistant, and his dad was an electrical engineer. Steve had a Jewish upbringing in the Queens neighborhood of Flushing.
In 1976, he finished high school at Plainedge High School. Before that, he attended a summer program at the Juilliard School. There, he studied acting with a famous teacher named John Houseman. While still in high school, he even got a part in a play called The Lion in Winter.
After high school, Steve went to the University at Albany, SUNY for one year. Then, he moved to California to become an actor. Soon after arriving, he got a part in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial!
Steve Guttenberg's Acting Career
Starting Out: 1977 to 1984
Steve Guttenberg's first movie role was a small part in Rollercoaster in 1977. Later that year, he got his first credited role in the TV movie Something for Joey. He then starred in a high school comedy called The Chicken Chronicles (1977). He also appeared in the film The Boys From Brazil (1978).
In 1979, Steve starred in a short TV series called Billy. He also had a supporting role in the movie Players. In 1980, he was in a Coca-Cola commercial. That same year, he played a blind lawyer in the TV movie To Race the Wind. He also starred in Can't Stop the Music, a movie about the music group Village People.
Steve played Jim Craig in the TV movie Miracle on Ice (1981). He then appeared in the movie Diner (1982). He starred in the action-comedy The Man Who Wasn't There (1983). He also had a role in the TV movie The Day After (1983).
In 1984, Steve Guttenberg got a lead role in the movie Police Academy. This movie was a huge success! It earned over $149 million worldwide. It was the most successful film in the Police Academy series. After this, Steve became a very busy actor, starring in many films over the next four years.
Big Success: 1985 to 1990
After the first Police Academy movie, a sequel came out quickly in 1985: Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment. Steve then starred in Cocoon, which was another big hit.
In 1986, Steve was in Police Academy 3: Back in Training. He also starred in Short Circuit with Ally Sheedy, which was very popular.
In 1987, he tried a different kind of movie, a thriller called The Bedroom Window. He then made Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, which was his last Police Academy film. Steve had a small appearance in Amazon Women on the Moon. He also starred with Tom Selleck and Ted Danson in Three Men and a Baby. This movie was the biggest financial success of his career at that time.
In 1989, he appeared in Michael Jackson's music video for "Liberian Girl". He also acted in Cocoon: The Return.
Movies and TV in the 1990s
In the 1990s, Steve Guttenberg continued to act in films and on stage. In 1990, he performed on Broadway in a play called Prelude to a Kiss. He also acted in London's West End. In movies, he was in Don't Tell Her It's Me and 3 Men and a Little Lady.
In 1993, he directed an episode of CBS Schoolbreak Special.
In 1995, he acted in The Big Green. He was also in Home for the Holidays. He starred in It Takes Two with Kirstie Alley and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
In 1997, Steve starred in Zeus and Roxanne, Casper: A Spirited Beginning, and Disney's Tower of Terror with Kirsten Dunst.
In 1998, he acted in action films like Airborne and Overdrive. He also appeared in the comedy Home Team.
New Roles: 2000s to Today
In 2002, Steve Guttenberg directed, produced, wrote, and starred in his first film, P.S. Your Cat Is Dead. He also starred in Mojave Phone Booth (2006). He played Nick in the TV movies Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus and Meet the Santas.
From 2005 to 2006, he had a role on the TV series Veronica Mars. He also appeared in the TV remake of The Poseidon Adventure in 2005.
In 2008, Steve released a funny video called "Steve Guttenberg's Steak House" on Will Ferrell's Funny or Die website. He also competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2008. On a British talk show, he even set a Guinness World Record for preparing the most hot dogs in one minute!
More recently, Steve played himself in an episode of the comedy show Party Down in 2010. He was on History Channel's miniseries Sons of Liberty in 2015. He also appeared on the SyFy Channel's Lavalantula and in an episode of Community. In 2020, he was on Holey Moley II: The Sequel. He also starred in the Lifetime film How to Murder Your Husband: The Nancy Brophy Story.
Possible Future Projects
Steve Guttenberg has mentioned that there might be more sequels to some of his popular movies. He said that Disney was thinking about a second sequel to Three Men and a Baby, possibly called Three Men and a Bride. He also said he would love to make more Police Academy and Cocoon movies. In 2018, he shared that a new Police Academy film was being planned.
Other Interesting Facts
Helping During Wildfires
In January 2025, Steve Guttenberg was among many people who volunteered to help during big wildfires in the Los Angeles area. He helped first responders and even rescued pets for a neighbor who was out of town. Steve said that it's important for people to help each other and be kind, especially during tough times.
Personal Life
Steve Guttenberg married model Denise Bixler in 1988. They divorced in 1992. Since 2014, Steve has lived with WCBS-TV reporter Emily Smith. They got engaged in 2016 and were married on January 19, 2019.
Helping Others
Steve Guttenberg is very involved with charities. He helps organizations that work to improve life for homeless people and young people. In 2016, a special trust was set up in his honor to help homeless people in Los Angeles. The Entertainment Industry Foundation, a Hollywood charity, chose him to be an Ambassador for Children's Issues because of his work for kids and the homeless.
He also joined the Lymphatic Education & Research Network's (LE&RN) Honorary Board in 2016.
Awards and Recognition
In 2008, Steve Guttenberg received the Tony Randall Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honored his work in entertainment and his community service.
In 2011, Steve received a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2014, the mayor of Miami Beach gave him a key to the city. This was for his work with Fun Paw Care, which helps raise awareness for animal rights.
Acting Credits
See also
In Spanish: Steve Guttenberg para niños
