80's Icon Saves Elderly Couple From Palisades Fires

Steve Guttenberg recounts his heroic actions during the deadly 2025 California wildfires.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:52pm

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An abstract close-up image of shattered glass reflecting an orange glow, conceptually representing the devastation of the Palisades fires.The heroic actions of actor Steve Guttenberg during the Palisades fires highlight the human capacity for selflessness in the face of crisis.Los Angeles Today

Actor Steve Guttenberg, known for his roles in the Police Academy films, revealed how he sprang into action during the deadly Palisades fires in Los Angeles last year. Guttenberg said he first started moving abandoned cars blocking the road, but then spotted an elderly couple refusing to evacuate their home as the fire approached. He broke into their house through a window, carried the couple outside, and got them to safety just before their home burned down.

Why it matters

The Palisades fires in early 2025 were some of the most destructive wildfires in California history, destroying over 6,800 structures and causing widespread damage. Guttenberg's heroic actions highlight the bravery of everyday citizens who stepped up to help their neighbors during the crisis, even at great personal risk.

The details

Guttenberg said he first started moving abandoned cars clogging the road, realizing emergency vehicles wouldn't be able to get through. He then spotted an elderly couple sitting in their living room watching TV as the fire approached. After knocking on the window and warning them to evacuate, the couple refused to leave. Guttenberg said he then 'had to break into their house through a window' and carried the couple outside so firefighters could reach them. The woman even hit Guttenberg on the head during the rescue as he warned them their house would burn down.

  • The Palisades fires occurred in January 2025.
  • Guttenberg recounted his actions during an interview on the Maury Povich On Par podcast on April 16, 2026.

The players

Steve Guttenberg

A 67-year-old actor known for his roles in the Police Academy film series, who heroically rescued an elderly couple from their home during the 2025 Palisades fires in Los Angeles.

Elderly Couple

An unidentified elderly couple who refused to evacuate their home as the Palisades fires approached, until Guttenberg broke in and carried them to safety.

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What they’re saying

“I had to break into their house through a window. I landed on the kitchen floor with glass everywhere.”

— Steve Guttenberg, Actor

“Your house is going to burn down.”

— Steve Guttenberg, Actor

“The couple hated me for it, and the woman even hit me on the head during the rescue.”

— Steve Guttenberg, Actor

The takeaway

Guttenberg's heroic actions during the Palisades fires demonstrate the bravery of ordinary citizens who stepped up to help their neighbors in the face of a devastating natural disaster. His story serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of community and the importance of heeding evacuation orders, even in the face of stubborn resistance.