Whatever happened to Steve Guttenberg, Mahoney in Police Academy?

Although you may have been unaware of him for many years, we doubt you have forgotten him. Steve Guttenberg is a true icon of 80s cinema and comedy, especially for his role as Carey Mahoney in four of the seven instalments of 'Police Academy'.

Since that iconic moment we also saw him in all his glory in other well-known films such as 'Cocoon' (1985), 'Short Circuit' (1986), 'Three Men and a Baby' (1987) and in 'High Spirits', (1988).

The first of his appearances in the role of Mahoney was in 1984. The last was in 1987, with 'Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol'. And, after those, other great sequels from that era.

In 1988 he would jump back into the skin of Jack Bonner in 'Cocoon: The Return' and in 1990 in that of Michael Kellam in 'Three Men and a Little Lady', but his star, little by little, faded... What has become of him since then?

The 90s was not his best decade as an actor after a glorious 80s. He did, however, have a couple of decent comedies like 'It Takes Two', with Kirstie Alley and the Olsen sisters; and 'The Big Green', about a children's soccer team.

At the beginning of that unsuccessful decade, one of the biggest failures of his career haunted him: 'Don't Tell Her It's Me' (1990), a comedy in which Guttenberg appeared with an impressive mane of hair. The film only made 200,000 dollars more at the box office than what they paid the actor.

The 2000s came and his filmography was full of insipid movies, some on the big screen and others on television, until, in 2009, he was offered the role of Jacob Jones, the star of the movie 'Fatal Rescue'. Sadly, the film was another flop with critics and audiences.

Between 2005 and 2006, he worked in eight episodes of the drama and mystery television series 'Veronica Mars' playing the role of Woody Goodman, the owner of the Neptune Sharks baseball team and Woody's Burgers.

It would not be his only appearance in series. Guttenberg also appeared fleetingly in an episode of 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' in 2007, as Clay Darren; and also in the comedy 'According to Jim', playing himself.

Guttenberg starred in the spring 2008 season of 'Dancing with the Stars', not with the best of luck, as he would end up being eliminated on April 1 of the same year.

Then, that same year, the sixth annual Golden Wagon Film Festival honored Guttenberg with the Tony Randall Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the entertainment industry and for his many generous services to the community.

Things would not change much in the following decade. He appeared in films of little depth and Guttenberg was relegated, in general, to secondary roles.

That said, on December 12, 2011, Guttenberg wrote his name in gold letters on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. His star was a sign of what he has meant to the industry....

Over the years, Guttenberg, in addition to acting, has also been attracted to other arts, such as literature, in this case children's literature. In 2014, together with Lisa Passen, he published a book for children entitled 'The Kids from D.I.S.C.O.'.

In 2015, Guttenberg entered the universe of mythical actors who have starred in horror and sci-fi B-movies of the most surreal and absurd instalments. In his case, his biggest bet was 'Lavalantula', where he had to deal with giant fire-breathing spiders that emerged from the eruption of a volcano outside Los Angeles.

The film, 'Lavalantula', had Guttenberg, sharing the screen with another of the most significant actors of 'Police Academy', Michael Winslow - aka Larvell Jones - for those who don't remember him, the crazy cop who made noises...

His place in the universe of 'geek' movies for television was completed in 2016 when he returned as the star in the second installment of 'Lavalantula', '2 Lava 2 Lantula!', and in the fourth of another classic of the genre: 'Sharknado: The 4th Awakens', where he made a cameo.

In more recent years, we have seen him in several series, but deserves a special mention for the sitcom 'The Goldbergs', where he has played the role of Dr. Katman in 7 episodes between 2019 and 2023.

In terms of cinema, his most recent films include Woody Allen's 'Rifkin's Festival' (2020), in which he appears alongside other great classic actors such as Wallace Shawn, Christoph Waltz and Richard Kind. He also starred in the 2022 TV movie 'How to Murder Your Husband'.

Guttenberg has also voiced characters in animated films, such as 'The Adventures of Bunny Bravo' and 'The Little Mermaid', a 2023 cartoon production produced by The Asylum. This version was released concurrently with the Disney film starring Halle Bailey.

Guttenberg appeared on stage during these years, working in the medium he started with back in the 70s when he already made his first steps on Broadway. This is the same place where he has continued to succeed with plays like 'Relatively Speaking' (2011).

With several projects on the table, Steve Guttenberg is... about. He is far from the success of those wonderful 80s when he shone on the big screen - yet he is enjoying his trade as never before, doing what he does best...

Follow Showbizz Daily to stay informed and enjoy more content!