‘Police Academy’ star Steve Guttenberg hailed as 'hero' after he helps firefighters amid California fire

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘Police Academy’ star Steve Guttenberg has not forgotten the training he received over 35 years ago.

As a deadly wildfire raged through the Pacific Palisades in south California, the 66-year-old actor leaped into action as he helped the firefighters move the stuck cars to pave the way for the arrival of the fire trucks. 

As the massive blaze has triggered a mass evacuation of nearly 30,000 residents to safety, panicked residents are leaving behind their cars in the middle of the roads as they are forced to leave. 

But those stranded cars—left in the middle of the roads—were hindering the firetrucks' access to the affected areas. Gutenberg, thus, sprung into action and worked with the firefighters to clear the roads and pave passages for the fire trucks to arrive. 

Steve Guttenberg volunteers amid raging Pacific Palisades wildfire 

Steve Guttenberg appeared in the 1980’s classics ‘Police Academy’ and ‘Police Academy 2’ in 1984 and 1985, respectively. 

Over 40 years after appearing in cop movies, the actor, who also served as the Honorary Mayor of Pacific Palisades from 2002 to 2006, jumped into action as a citizen volunteer. 

During an interview with KTLA 5's Gene Kang, the ‘Three Men and a Baby’ actor shared, “What’s happening is people take their keys with them as if they’re in a parking lot. This is not a parking lot. We really need people to move their cars,” reported Daily Mail.

He explained, “If you leave your car behind, leave the key in there so a guy like me can move your car so that these fire trucks can get up there.”

The ‘Cocoon’ star shared that he has many friends who were unable to evacuate because of the traffic jam created by the stranded cars. “It's really, really important” to clear the jam, emphasized the veteran actor. 

Guttenberg continued, “There are people stuck up there. So we’re trying to clear Palisades Drive and I’m walking up there as far as I can moving cars.” 

The star, who returned to acting after spending five years away from the spotlight to act as the primary caregiver of his father until his death from kidney failure in 2022 at the age of 89, further emphasized the importance of helping during trying times. 

“There are families up there, there are pets up there. There are people who really need help,” emphasized the ‘Short Circuit’ star, before adding, “Don’t worry about your personal property. Just get out. Get your loved ones and get out.”

Later in the day, Gutenberg appeared in another interview with CNN, where he said that the fire burning through his community was “the most unbelievable I’ve ever seen," as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Recalling the daytime scene, he shared, “The sky was dark, like it was nighttime,” before adding there were “mothers who were having panic attacks [and] little kids crying. … The cars were bumper-to-bumper traffic for over two miles and it was dangerous, the police were coming. …”

“I spent all day moving these cars up on the hill, trying to [move them] so the fire trucks could get through,” added the actor, before sharing that he was driven to his car around 6 pm. 

Guttenberg said, “There were trees coming down on Sunset Boulevard,” adding that the fire devastated many establishments including Gelson’s grocery store, the Palisades Playhouse Theater, and the Palisades Woman’s Club. 

“All of Temescal Canyon is on fire, both sides. All the houses; the school is on fire,” shared the actor before emphasizing the need for having empathy and helping others in these times. “This is a really important time for us to remember … we are one big community,” the actor shared.

Pacific Palisades residents have been issued ‘immediate’ evacuation notice

According to Daily Mail, the residents of Pacific Palisades have been issued an “immediate” evacuation notice, with authorities urging them to "LEAVE NOW."

The bush fire was first reported at around 10.30 am on Tuesday, January 7, and since then it spread to more than 200 acres of land. 

Along with the evacuation of the residents, some schools in Brentwood have also been evacuated. 

The power facility at areas like Cuthbert, Galahad, and parts of Malibu have been shut by Southern California Edison (SCE) on Tuesday owing to “dangerous fire weather.”

The fire is moving toward the west in a rapid succession and wind gusts are up to 50 miles per hour in Ventura and LA Counties, according to The New York Times. 

More than 100 firefighters and strike teams are at work to contain the damages caused by the bushfire. 

Internet hails 'hero' Steve Guttenberg for helping firefighters

Social media users hailed Steve Guttenberg for his service to the community. Many took to the comments section of his YouTube interview with KTLA and praised the 'Police Academy' star. 

One of the users commented, "Respect to this man. He was the Mayor of The Palisades. He's in shock. My ❤goes out to this man. 😢."

"Steve, you responded extraordinary well. You’re right about how important it is for people to band together in an emergency," shared someone else. 

Another user noted, "I always liked Steve Guttenberg, this gives me reason to like him more." 

"He is a hero, almost at the same level as Steve Buscemi," one individual commented. 

Another added, "Steve Guttenberg - not just the hero of the “Police Academy” franchise, but in real life too. Thank you for being the hero that we needed." 

One person said, "Legend. You give the people of California a good name." 

Referring to his show character, another remarked, "Cadet Mahoney always helping the people!"

"Thank you Mr Guttenburg for aiding the evacuations and reminding all that people are more important than property," hailed another fan. 

Someone else noted, "Steve Guttenberg was the star of Police Academy as Mahoney. Off screen he is truly a star as well.😊."

"We ❤ Steve. Not surprised, but very appreciative that he helped. Seems like his nature to do that," added another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.