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Steve Guttenberg (b. August 24, 1958), sometimes credited as Steven Guttenberg,or Steven Robert Guttenberg, is an American actor. Guttenberg was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in Plainedge, Long Island, New York.

Movie and Stage History

Although Guttenberg is best known as a film actor, his roots are in the theater. His first film as director/producer/co-screenwriter/star was the adaptation of a Broadway hit, the stage comedy/drama P.S. Your Cat Is Dead (2002) by the late James Kirkwood Jr., co-author of A Chorus Line.

Guttenberg has been the star or co-star in six films that earned over $100,000,000 in the United States, a feat accomplished by relatively few actors. He has also starred in four film franchises: Cocoon (1985), Three Men and a Baby (1987), Police Academy (1984) and Short Circuit (1986), taking his films' box-office grosses into the billions. As well as these he has also appeared in such films as Diner (1982), The Bedroom Window (1987), The Boys from Brazil (1978) and a string of television films.

His studies, which include years with teacher Herbert Berghof and with the improvisational comedy school, The Groundlings, took him to such theaters as the Helen Hayes on Broadway, where he created the lead role in Prelude to a Kiss and "The Comedy" in London's West End, where he starred in The Boys Next Door. He won kudos in the world stage premiere production of Furthest From the Sun, which Woody Harrelson directed and co-authored. Guttenberg has also appeared widely on TV. His television films include the critically acclaimed Miracle on Ice (1981) (TV), To Race the Wind (1980) (TV), Something for Joey (1977) (TV) and the controversial nuclear holocaust picture, The Day After (1983) (TV), which more than 20 years after its original airing remains the highest-rated made-for-television movie in history.

Prior to his becoming well known, Guttenberg starred in a Coca-Cola commercial (1980) that featured him trying to help a woman who did not speak English, whose car had stalled. They share a common bond in their love of Coke.

Other

Guttenberg is also involved with charity work aimed at improving opportunities for the homeless and for young people. He has created Guttenhouse, an apartment complex he has funded to accommodate young people after their graduation from foster child status, with on-site social worker direction to assist their assuming adult responsibilities. The Entertainment Industry Foundation, Hollywood's charity arm, selected him to be Ambassador for Children's Issues because of his work on behalf of children and the homeless. In this capacity, he is spearheading Sight for Students, a $7-million program in which, together with VSP and Altair Eyeglasses, he will help provide glasses for 50,000 underprivileged and visually challenged children throughout their school years. He also is a huge supporter of Plainedge school district, where he went to high school and runs charity events there often

His interest in the welfare of youngsters is reflected in his work as a producer and director. He executive-produced Gangs, a CBS School Break Special which earned an Emmy nomination, and he debuted as a director with a CBS School Break Special, Love Off Limits (1993) (TV). Guttenberg's spare time is taken up by his charitable activities for such kids-oriented agencies as Friends of the Children/Bridges, The Starlight Foundation as well as the Entertainment Industry Foundation. He is also a surfer, golfer and devoted dog owner.

In an episode of The Simpsons, "Homer the Great," a satire of the Freemasons, mentions his name in a rousing drinking song cataloging how they secretly manipulate society in negative ways: "Who holds back the electric car? Who makes Steve Guttenberg a star? We do!" and there is a animated version of Guttenberg shown but no voice is heard.

Guttenberg had a recurring role on second season of the television series Veronica Mars as Woody Goodman, a wealthy businessman who is eventually revealed to be a child molester.

He also appears as a lead in the NBC made-for-TV remake of The Poseidon Adventure, which aired on November 20, 2005. He played "Richard Clarke," a failing writer having an affair with a massage therapist when the boat tips over.

His production company, "Mr. Kirby Productions", is named after his high school drama teacher.

Major film roles

• The Poseidon Adventure (2005)
• P.S. Your Cat Is Dead (2002)
• Casper: A Spirited Beginning (1997)
• Zeus and Roxanne (1997)
• It Takes Two (1995)
• Home for the Holidays (1995)
• The Big Green (1995)
• Three Men and a Little Lady (1990)
• Don't Tell Her It's Me (1990)
• High Spirits (1988)
• Cocoon: The Return (1988)
• Three Men and a Baby (1987)
• Amazon Women on the Moon (1987)
• Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987)
• The Bedroom Window (1987)
• Short Circuit (1986)
• Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986)
• Bad Medicine (1985)
• Cocoon (1985)
• Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985)
• Police Academy (1984)
• The Day After (1983) (TV movie)
• The Man Who Wasn't There (1983)
• Diner (1982)
• Can't Stop the Music (1980)
• The Boys from Brazil (1978)
• The Chicken Chronicles (1977)

External links

• Satirical Steve Guttenberg "anti-facts"

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