Actor Steve Guttenberg talks about his most meaningful role: caregiver

Steve Guttenberg, known for his iconic roles in movies like "Police Academy" and "Short Circuit," has recently delved into a different kind of story with his book, "Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero."

I had a chance to talk with Steve recently as he shared insights into his caregiving journey with his father and reflected on his illustrious career in Hollywood.

The conversation shed light on the often overlooked role of caregivers in society. Guttenberg emphasized the importance of caregiving, noting how many of us will find ourselves in the role saying, "You know that there are 53 million or more caregivers in this country. And basically, there are two types of people. You're either going to need a caregiver or you are going to be a caregiver. And that's the reality."

His book chronicles his personal experience of caring for his father, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges that come with being a caregiver.

Steve told me, "The story is about when my dad was young and vital, he would help me put my pajamas on, teach me to shave. And then when he got older and he got ill, I put his pajamas on and I taught him to shave. We all go through this where a loved one, especially a parent, gets older and you need to be there to take care of them. And I'm very, very lucky that I had the time and the ability."

Aside from his caregiving journey, Guttenberg's career in Hollywood has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting at the young age of 17, Guttenberg ventured into the world of acting, in part due to the tremendous support he received from his dad. Over the years, he has graced the screens with memorable performances in movies like "Short Circuit" and "Police Academy," where he portrayed beloved characters that have stood the test of time.

When I asked him what his father would say if he knew his son had written this book, Steve said, "My dad loved the the idea of doing 'Time to Thank', and I was writing it next to him. And he loved all the stories, and he really got a kick out of Hollywood. So he would actually say, go to Amazon, buy my son's book, and get an idea of what it's like to be a caregiver and what it's like to be the father of a Hollywood star."

Steve's story serves as a reminder of the complexities of life and the importance of cherishing moments with loved ones. "Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero" is now available on Amazon and in all major bookstores.

For more stories from Steve, including his time working with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on "Ballers" and other career highlights, watch my interview here:

KJ is a longtime trusted media personality, TV producer, author, entrepreneur and proud cat mom to seven rescues. She is the Kitty Correspondent for Pet Pals TV, the founder of the Kinda Nerdy Network which features the KJ TODAY Show, the Kinda Nerdy Girls podcast and The Cat Conversation podcast. She is also the author of the book “Raised by Cats: Behind the Mic and the Meows” which was an instant Amazon #1 New Release in 2022 on National Cat Day. Follow KJ and her House of Cats on social media here.