Steve Guttenberg Breaks Into Elderly Couple's Home to Rescue Them from Palisades Fire

The 'Police Academy' star recounts his harrowing tale of heroism during the 2025 California wildfires.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:51am

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An abstract close-up image featuring jagged shards of glass and charred wooden debris, conveying the intense devastation caused by the Palisades fire through dramatic lighting and texture.The Palisades fire's destruction left a trail of shattered dreams and scorched homes in its wake.Altadena Today

Steve Guttenberg, the star of the 'Police Academy' films, has opened up about breaking into an elderly couple's home and carrying them out to safety during the devastating 2025 Palisades fire in California. Guttenberg says he had to resort to drastic measures after the couple refused to evacuate, even as the flames approached their home.

Why it matters

The Palisades fire was one of the twin blazes that ravaged the Los Angeles area in 2025, causing an estimated $164 billion in damage and destroying over 6,800 structures. Guttenberg's story highlights the heroic actions of community members who stepped up to help their neighbors during the crisis, even when faced with resistance.

The details

Guttenberg told Maury Povich on his podcast that a friend had texted him about an elderly couple who were refusing to leave their home as the Palisades fire approached. Guttenberg drove to the address, but the couple refused to evacuate when he knocked on their window. This led to a "big fight" that ultimately forced Guttenberg to break into the house through a window, "fall on the kitchen floor, glass everywhere," and physically carry the couple outside so they could be rescued by a fire truck.

  • The Palisades fire occurred in January 2025.
  • Guttenberg recounted the incident during an interview on the On Par With Maury Povich podcast that aired on April 16, 2026.

The players

Steve Guttenberg

An American actor best known for his starring role in the 'Police Academy' film series, who became a local hero during the 2025 Palisades fire in California.

Maury Povich

An American television personality who hosts the new podcast 'On Par With Maury Povich', where he interviewed Guttenberg about his experiences during the Palisades fire.

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What they’re saying

“I had to break into their house through a window, you know, fall on the kitchen floor, glass everywhere, get up there. The guy's like, 'I'm going to call the cops on you.' I go, 'That's why I'm here, call the cops. You've got to leave!'”

— Steve Guttenberg, Actor

“They hated me. I mean, the woman's hitting me in the head. I go, 'Lady, you can't stay in this house. Your house is going to burn down!' And it probably did.”

— Steve Guttenberg, Actor

What’s next

Guttenberg's heroic actions during the Palisades fire have already been widely reported, but this latest account provides additional details about the challenges he faced in trying to rescue the elderly couple. As the community continues to recover from the devastating wildfires, Guttenberg's story serves as a reminder of the importance of looking out for one's neighbors in times of crisis.

The takeaway

Steve Guttenberg's harrowing tale of breaking into an elderly couple's home to save them from the Palisades fire underscores the selfless acts of community members who stepped up to help their neighbors during the 2025 California wildfires, even when faced with resistance. His story highlights the human toll of these disasters and the importance of preparedness and emergency response in protecting vulnerable populations.