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Calgary Herald

'It's temporary:' Steve Guttenberg talks about the fleeing nature of fame and the importance of being a good person at Calgary Exoat Calgary Expo

Article content Article content But only up to a point. On Saturday afternoon, the star of the Police Academy franchise, Short Circuit, Cocoon and Three Men and a Baby told an audience at Calgary Expo that he made a deal with his mom and dad when he left New York for Hollywood at the age of 17. Article content Inspired by the success of family friend Michael Bell, a successful voice-over actor who had a mansion in L.A., a Cadillac and beautiful girlfriends, Guttenberg had decided he wanted to be a movie star. He took some acting classes in New York and set off for Hollywood after graduating from high school. Article content Article content 'My parents gave me two weeks,' Guttenberg said. 'They said I could stay with Michael Bell . He had a big mansion on Mulholland Drive so I had somewhere to stay and somewhere safe to stay. My parents said 'you've got two weeks. So go to Los Angeles and become a movie star. But if you don't in two weeks, come back and you'll go to Albany State University, which I got accepted to.' Article content Article content Before the two weeks were up, he landed a commercial. It was for Kentucky Fried Chicken. He had no lines, but he was in scenes opposite Col. Sanders himself. Article content 'So I called up my parents and said 'I'm a movie star!'' Guttenberg said. Article content His first film, which Bell helped him get, was a tiny role in the 1977 action thriller Roller Coaster opposite George Segal (Fun Calgary Expo overlap: Rollercoaster was also the first film of guest Helen Hunt, who played Segal's daughter, and was also featured at this year's Expo.) Article content Article content Guttenberg eventually landed his first breakout performance in 1982's Diner, a cult comedy that also featured early appearances by Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Paul Reiser, Daniel Stern and Ellen Barkin. Article content But he became a household name after playing Carey Mahoney, the smart-alecky new recruit in 1984's Police Academy and its three sequels. Guttenberg said he was certain the film would be a success. But he was also certain he had lost the role after producers narrowed it down to him and another actor. Article content 'It was between me and another guy,' Guttenberg said. 'I don't want to say his name, but he was really a super talented gu. 'I was able to listen to his audition. The crew was laughing and clapping. This guy could sing and dance. He could do acrobatics and he was handsome. The crew was just laughing and cheering and when he left they were clapping.'