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Steve Guttenberg, the Brooklyn-born actor who dominated 1980s comedies with Police Academy and Three Men and a Baby, returned to headlines in 2025—not for a film role, but for helping evacuate neighbors during devastating Los Angeles wildfires. At 66, he continues acting while maintaining a $12 million net worth built during Hollywood’s biggest comedy era.
Born August 24, 1958, in Brooklyn, Guttenberg moved from Queens to North Massapequa, Long Island, where he discovered acting. While still in high school, he studied at Juilliard under legendary instructor John Houseman and landed an off-Broadway role in The Lion in Winter.
After graduating from Plainedge High School in 1976, he attended SUNY Albany for one year before his parents gave him $300 and two weeks to find work in Los Angeles. Within that deadline, he booked a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial opposite Colonel Sanders himself.
His film debut came in 1978’s The Boys from Brazil alongside Laurence Olivier and Gregory Peck. But his real breakthrough arrived in 1982 with Barry Levinson’s Diner, which Vanity Fair later called the Best Film of the Last Thirty Years. The role showcased Guttenberg’s ability to balance comedy with genuine dramatic depth.
Police Academy launched everything. The 1984 comedy cost $4.5 million to make and earned over $149 million worldwide. Guttenberg played Carey Mahoney, the wisecracking recruit with a heart of gold, in four franchise installments from 1984 to 1987. The series remains one of the highest-earning film franchises ever.
Between 1984 and 1988, Guttenberg appeared in nine starring roles, tying with Gene Hackman as Hollywood’s busiest actor. His 1985 film Cocoon became another box office hit, blending science fiction with heartfelt storytelling. That same year brought Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment.
Short Circuit (1986) paired him with Ally Sheedy in a story about a military robot gaining consciousness. The film became a cult favorite. His career peak came with Three Men and a Baby (1987), where he starred opposite Tom Selleck and Ted Danson. The comedy became 1987’s highest-grossing film and the first Disney movie to cross $100 million domestically.
The 1990s brought a shift. High Spirits (1988) and Cocoon: The Return (1988) both underperformed. He transitioned to family films like The Big Green (1995) and It Takes Two (1995) with Kirstie Alley and the Olsen twins. Television became more prominent, with roles in Veronica Mars (2005-2006), Ballers (2017), and The Goldbergs (2017-2023).
He competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2008 and directed P.S. Your Cat Is Dead (2002), adapting James Kirkwood Jr.’s Broadway play. His production company, Mr. Kirby Productions, honors his high school drama teacher.
Guttenberg’s net worth stands at $12 million in 2025, built primarily during his 1980s box office dominance. His films collectively grossed over $500 million worldwide during his peak years.
Real estate adds to his wealth. He owns a Spanish-style mansion in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, which generates rental income between $12,000 and $20,000 monthly. He also maintains a long-term rental apartment on New York City’s Upper West Side.
His earnings declined after the 1990s as starring roles became less frequent. However, steady work in television, independent films, and stage productions has maintained his financial stability. He turned down the role of Dr. Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters (1984) to commit to the Police Academy franchise—a decision that defined his career trajectory.
Guttenberg married model Denise Bixler on September 30, 1988. They separated in June 1991 and divorced in 1992.
In 2014, he met WCBS-TV reporter Emily Smith on a blind date arranged by her colleague Scott Rapoport. After an hour of conversation, they clicked instantly. The couple moved in together after one year of dating. Guttenberg proposed on Christmas Day 2016, and they married in an intimate Malibu ceremony on January 19, 2019.
On April 4, 2025, Guttenberg filed for divorce from Emily after six years of marriage. Court documents cited irreconcilable differences as the reason. The filing listed their separation date as “TBD.”
The couple had a prenuptial agreement that governs property division. Guttenberg agreed to pay spousal support based on their prenup. They have no children together, simplifying the proceedings. Both parties will pay their own attorneys’ fees.
Before filing, Guttenberg spoke warmly about Emily in a 2017 Daily Beast interview, calling her “the real deal” and praising her character and integrity. The divorce came as a surprise to many, as the couple had shown no public signs of trouble.
On January 8, 2025, devastating wildfires tore through Pacific Palisades and surrounding Los Angeles communities. Guttenberg volunteered his time helping first responders as the fires raged across Southern California.
Local media initially didn’t recognize him during interviews. He told KTLA that people were stuck in the area and urged evacuees to leave their car keys accessible so emergency responders could move abandoned vehicles blocking escape routes.
In a CNN interview, Guttenberg said he hadn’t seen anything like the fires in his entire life. He described how Pacific Palisades appeared idyllic at 9 a.m., then by 10:30 a.m., the sky turned dark as night. He helped rescue pets for a neighbor who was out of town during the disaster.
“This is the time for us to remember that we’re part of a community,” he explained. “People have to help each other and be kind to each other. If you see somebody who needs help, help them. Ask them what they need.”
His home survived the fires. He told People magazine, “At this time, I have the choice of sitting down and walking or standing up and doing what I can. I choose to stand and fight.”
In 2025, Guttenberg starred in the Lifetime film Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story as serial killer John Edward Robinson. The role marked a dramatic departure from his typical nice-guy persona. The movie premiered on June 7, 2025, telling the true story of a woman kidnapped as a baby by a serial killer’s family.
He also filmed American Summer, a coming-of-age family comedy directed by Michael W. Gray, alongside Christie Brinkley. Shooting took place in Northern New Jersey through mid-October 2024. The film follows a man in his 60s reflecting on a pivotal childhood summer.
He guest-starred in ABC’s High Potential and continues appearing at film festivals and conventions. His memoir, The Guttenberg Bible, was published in 2012, and he released a children’s book, The Kids from D.I.S.C.O., in 2014. His most recent book, Time to Thank, came out in 2024.
Guttenberg received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011 at 6411 Hollywood Boulevard. He earned the Tony Randall Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 for his entertainment work and community service.
Beyond acting, Guttenberg founded Guttenhouse, a transitional home for young adults aging out of foster care at 18. The program has provided housing, computer equipment, and mentoring from trained social workers for over a dozen young people across seven years.
In 2016, a trust was established in his honor to support Los Angeles’s homeless population. The Entertainment Industry Foundation named him Ambassador for Children’s Issues. He’s also worked with the Starlight Foundation and serves on the Lymphatic Education & Research Network’s Honorary Board.
Miami Beach gave him a key to the city in 2014 for his animal rights advocacy work with Fun Paw Care. He’s remained involved with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and various children’s charities throughout his career.
Steve Guttenberg’s story illustrates an actor who built genuine success during Hollywood’s comedy golden age and never stopped working. While his career trajectory changed after the 1990s, he adapted rather than faded away. His transition to character roles, television work, and independent films shows professional resilience.
His 2025 wildfire response reminded people that he’s more than a nostalgia figure. He’s a community member who shows up when needed. His upcoming projects suggest he’s not done yet—he’s simply moved beyond leading man roles into character work that plays to his strengths.
At 66, with decades in entertainment and genuine impact through charity work, Guttenberg represents a type of Hollywood career that prioritizes longevity over flash. His $12 million net worth, while modest compared to A-list peers, reflects steady work and smart investments. His legacy includes making millions laugh, helping young people find housing, and clearing cars during a wildfire.
That’s not bad for the kid from Brooklyn who got $300 and two weeks to make it in Hollywood.
