Steve Guttenberg was born on August 24, 1958, in Boropark, Brooklyn, to Ann Newman and Stanley Guttenberg. The family relocated to Queens and later to N. Massapequa, where Steve graduated from Plainedge High School in 1976. He then pursued his passion for acting, studying on Long Island and in New York City before moving to Los Angeles to further his career.
Steve's early success came with his debut in the 1978 film "The Boys from Brazil," alongside Laurence Olivier and Gregory Peck. This recognition led to a string of leading roles, including the iconic 1983 film "Diner," chosen by Vanity Fair as the Best Film of the Last Thirty Years, and the comedic hit "Police Academy" (1984),which remains one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time.
In 1985, Steve's fame skyrocketed with the release of "Cocoon," a life-affirming film that showcased his versatility as an actor. He continued to impress audiences with his roles in the science fiction genre, particularly in "Short Circuit" (1986),John Badham's groundbreaking artificial intelligence film.
Steve's work in the 1980s also included the suspenseful "Bedroom Window" (1986),opposite Isabelle Huppert, and the popular Disney film "Three Men and a Baby" (1987),which became the number one grossing film of the year and spawned a successful sequel.
On the stage, Steve has appeared in various productions, including "The Boys Next Door" in London's West End, "Prelude to a Kiss" on Broadway, and "Furthest From the Sun" at the June Lune Theatre in Minneapolis. More recently, he has played Henry Percy in the Hudson Warehouse Theatre's production of "Henry IV" (2015).
Steve has also ventured into television, producing an Emmy-nominated special, "Gangs," and appearing in the original "Miracle on Ice" and ABC's "The Day After," which remains one of the most-watched television events of the century. He has written two books, "The Guttenberg Bible," a comedic account of his early years in the film industry, and "The Kids from DISCO," a superhero children's book inspired by his nieces and nephews.
Throughout his career, Steve has received numerous accolades, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also set the record for the most original films to become franchises in film history and has appeared in the most films in the Screen Actors Guild from 1980-1990, tying Gene Hackman.