While Steve Guttenberg may be best known for his role as Carey Mahoney in the Police Academy series, his filmography extends far beyond the slapstick comedy that launched his career.
He has demonstrated versatility, appearing in a range of genres from romantic comedies to dramatic thrillers.
Here are a few of his noteworthy films:
Early Roles
Players (1979) Set against the backdrop of the Wimbledon tennis championships, a tennis star falls in love with an older woman. Guttenberg has a supporting role as Randy alongside Ali MacGraw, Dean Paul Martin and Maximilian Schell. John McEnroe, Pancho Gonzalez, Guillermo Vilas and Ilie Nastase appear as themselves.
Miracle on Ice (1981) Guttenberg stars as goalie Jim Craig in this docudrama about the United States men’s national ice hockey team that premiered on The ABC Sunday Night Movie on March 1, 1981. Karl Malden portrayed coach Herb Brooks and Andrew Stevens played Mike Erusione.
Diner (1982) This critically acclaimed coming-of-age drama features Guttenberg as Edward “Eddie” Simmons, one of a group of friends navigating life and love in 1950s Baltimore. Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Daniel Stern, Tim Daly, Ellen Barkin and Paul Reiser round out the impressive cast.
The Man Who Wasn’t There (1983) Guttenberg played a government employee accidentally takes possession of a top-secret invisibility potion while en route to his wedding and uses it for himself. The film was released in 3-D in theaters.
1985 and Beyond
Cocoon (1985) This heartwarming sci-fi comedy directed by Ron Howard, features Guttenberg as Jack Bonner, a local boat captain, Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Brian Dennehy, Hume Cronyn, Jack Filford, Jessica Tandy, Maureen Stapleton and Tahnee Welch also starred.
Short Circuit (1986) Guttenberg stars as Newton Crosby, Ph.D., the designer of the prototypes called S.A.I.N.T. (Strategic Artificially Intelligent Nuclear Transport) for the U.S. military. Ally Sheedy co-stars as as Stephanie Speck, who befriends the robot known as Number 5.
Three Men and a Baby (1987) This iconic comedy, starring Guttenberg alongside Tom Selleck and Ted Danson, follows three successful bachelor friends who live in a Manhattan high-rise who must learn to care for a baby. The film would go on to be the No.1 movie of the 1987 with $167.8 million, topping Fatal Attraction ($156.6 million) and Beverly Hills Cop II ($153.7 million) starring Eddie Murphy.
The Bedroom Window (1987) This suspenseful thriller, directed by Curtis Hanson, showcases Guttenberg’s dramatic range as a man having an affair with his boss’s wife, Sylvia that leads to a dangerous web of lies and murder. Elizabeth McGovern, Isabelle Huppert and Paul Shenar co-starred.
Surrender (1987) This romantic comedy starring Michael Caine as successful novelist Sean Stein, who with two divorces in his past, has sworn off women until he falls in love with Daisy Morgan (Sally Field). Guttenberg co-stars as Daisy’s boyfriend Marty who is afraid to make a commitment.
Cocoon: The Return (1988) Five years after they left Earth following a failed rescue mission, the Antareans return to rescue the cocoons that were left behind. The sequel to the 1985 hit sees Guttenberg reprise his role as Jack Bonner.
Steve Guttenberg and Tahnee Welch in Cocoon: The Return (Photo/FOX)
Home for the Holidays (1995) Jodie Foster directed this film about a single mother who has just been fired from her job flies to Baltimore to spend Thanksgiving with her family. Guttenberg has a supporting role in the ensemble cast that includes Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Claire Danes, Charles Durning, Dylan McDermott, Anne Bancroft and Geraldine Chaplin.
Steve Guttenberg’s Legacy
These films showcase Steve Guttenberg’s versatility as an actor and his ability to bring charm and humor to a variety of roles. While he may be best known for his comedic roles, these films demonstrate his range and talent.
