Steve Guttenberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steve Guttenberg
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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; div. 2025) |
Steven Robert Guttenberg (born August 24, 1958) is an American actor, author, producer, and director. He is famous for playing Carey Mahoney in the Police Academy movies from 1984 to 1987. He also starred in popular films like Three Men and a Baby (1987) and its sequel, Diner (1982), Cocoon (1985), and Short Circuit (1986).
On television, he started his career in the CBS sitcom Billy (1979). He had guest roles in the teen mystery series Veronica Mars (2005–2006) as Woody Goodman. He also appeared in Ballers (2017) and The Goldbergs (2017–2023). In 2008, he was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Steve Guttenberg was born on August 24, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens. His father, Jerome Stanley Guttenberg, was an electrical engineer. His mother, Ann Iris, was a surgical assistant. Steve has two sisters.
In 1976, he graduated from Plainedge High School. Before that, he attended a summer program at the Juilliard School. While still in high school, he won a part in an off-Broadway play called The Lion in Winter.
After high school, Guttenberg went to the University at Albany, SUNY for one year. He then moved to California to become an actor. His parents gave him $300 and two weeks to find a job. He quickly got a role in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial.
Acting Career
Starting Out: 1977–1984
Steve Guttenberg's first movie role was in Rollercoaster (1977). He then starred in the high school comedy The Chicken Chronicles (1977). He also appeared in The Boys From Brazil (1978).
In 1979, Guttenberg starred in the TV series Billy. He also had a role in the movie Players. In 1980, he starred in the TV movie To Race the Wind, playing a blind lawyer. He also appeared in Can't Stop the Music (1980) and Miracle on Ice (1981).
Guttenberg was in Barry Levinson's movie Diner (1982). He also starred in the TV series No Soap, Radio (1982). In 1983, he starred in The Man Who Wasn't There. He also had a supporting role in the TV movie The Day After.
In 1984, Guttenberg got his big break in Police Academy. This movie was a huge success, earning over $149 million worldwide. It started a popular film series.
Big Success: 1985–1999
After Police Academy, Guttenberg starred in many successful films. In 1985, he was in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment. He also played the main male role in Cocoon, which was another hit.
In 1986, he appeared in Police Academy 3: Back in Training. He also starred with Ally Sheedy in Short Circuit, a very popular film. In 1987, Guttenberg acted in the thriller The Bedroom Window. He then made Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, which was his last Police Academy movie.
His biggest financial success came with Three Men and a Baby (1987), where he starred with Tom Selleck and Ted Danson. In 1989, he appeared in the Michael Jackson music video "Liberian Girl". He also acted in Cocoon: The Return.
In the 1990s, Guttenberg continued to act in films and on stage. He was in Don't Tell Her It's Me (1990) and Three Men and a Little Lady (1990). In 1995, he acted in The Big Green. He also starred in It Takes Two with Kirstie Alley and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
In 1997, Guttenberg starred in Zeus and Roxanne and Casper: A Spirited Beginning. He also appeared with Kirsten Dunst in Disney's Tower of Terror.
2000s and Beyond
In 2002, Guttenberg directed, produced, and co-wrote his first film, P.S. Your Cat Is Dead. He starred in Mojave Phone Booth (2006). He also played Nick in Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus and its sequel Meet the Santas.
From 2005 to 2006, he had a recurring role in the TV series Veronica Mars. In 2005, he was in the TV movie The Poseidon Adventure. In 2008, Guttenberg joined Dancing with the Stars as a contestant.
In 2010, Guttenberg played himself in an episode of Party Down. From 2011 to 2012, he performed on Broadway in Woody Allen's play Honeymoon Hotel. In 2015, he was in the miniseries Sons of Liberty. He also appeared in Lavalantula and an episode of Community.
More recently, he appeared in Holey Moley II: The Sequel (2020). He also starred in the Lifetime film How to Murder Your Husband: The Nancy Brophy Story. In 2025, Guttenberg starred in the Lifetime film Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story.
Other Work
Steve Guttenberg has his own production company called Mr. Kirby Productions. It is named after his high school drama teacher, Gerald J. Kirby.
In 1995, he was mentioned in The Simpsons episode "Homer the Great". A fictional secret society in the show claimed they made Guttenberg a star. He said he was happy about this reference.
Personal Life
Family
Steve Guttenberg married model Denise Bixler in 1988. They divorced in 1992. He later married Emily Smith in 2019. They divorced in 2025.
Community Involvement
On January 8, 2025, Guttenberg helped first responders during devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. He helped rescue pets for a neighbor who was out of town. He said, "This is the time for us to remember that we're part of a community."
Awards and Recognition
In 2008, Steve Guttenberg received the Tony Randall Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognized his work in entertainment and his community service.
In 2011, Guttenberg received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2014, he received a key to the city from Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine. This was for his work with Fun Paw Care, raising awareness for animal rights.
Philanthropy
Guttenberg supports charities that help homeless people and young people. In 2016, a trust was created in his honor to help the homeless in Los Angeles. The Entertainment Industry Foundation chose him as an Ambassador for Children's Issues. This was for his work helping children and the homeless. He also joined the Lymphatic Education & Research Network's Honorary Board.
See also
In Spanish: Steve Guttenberg para niños
