1980s Star Steve Guttenberg and Caitlyn Jenner Recount Bizarre 'Sock Short' Request on Set
EXCLUSIVE: Steve Guttenberg Spills on Bizarre On-Set Request with Caitlyn Jenner - And How It Almost Ruined Their Careers!
Get ready for a blast from the past, folks! The 80s are back, and so is one of its biggest stars, Steve Guttenberg. In an exclusive chat with thescholarlynote.com, the Diner and Police Academy alum dished on the wildest moments of his illustrious career - including a bizarre on-set request that left him and Caitlyn Jenner (then known as Bruce) questioning their sanity.
We're talking, of course, about the infamous Can't Stop The Music debacle. For those who may have missed it (and bless you if you did!), this 1980 musical disaster was supposed to be a star-making vehicle for Jenner - but ended up being a box office flop and a critical bomb. And what made things even more hilarious is that Guttenberg, then just starting out in Hollywood, was asked to "stuff" his shorts with socks to give him a more... ahem... virile appearance.
"I mean, I'm not sure if I should be embarrassed or proud," Guttenberg laughed in our interview. "But yeah, Allan Carr (the film's producer) wanted us to wear these ridiculous shorts and stuff them with socks to make it look like we were, you know, 'larger than life'."
Guttenberg, now 66, recalled the moment when he looked at Jenner (who was making her film debut) and thought, "Wait a minute, is this really what we're doing here?" But, as Guttenberg quipped, "We were young, dumb, and willing to do just about anything for our art."
Of course, all jokes aside, the film's failure had serious consequences for both actors. Jenner, who would later come out as a trans woman in 2015, went on to have a successful TV career but struggled to revive her film career. Meanwhile, Guttenberg's star continued to shine bright - albeit with a healthy dose of humility.
"I learned a lot from that experience," he said candidly. "You know, when you're young and starting out in this business, it's easy to get caught up in the hype and think you're invincible. But trust me, folks, the minute you start thinking you've got it all figured out is the minute disaster strikes."
Fast forward to 2023, and Guttenberg has just wrapped up a role in the Lifetime movie Kidnapped By A Killer - playing notorious serial killer John Edward Robinson. "It was an incredible opportunity," he gushed about taking on the role of a lifetime (pun intended!). "I mean, most actors only get one chance to play a serial killer, and I feel lucky to have gotten it."
But what really caught our attention is that Guttenberg put in a "ton" of research to prepare for the role - including a grueling makeup chair stint every day for an hour and a half. "It was torture, but worth it," he laughed.
And speaking of torture (just kidding, Steve!), we've got some juicy gossip to dish out: Guttenberg's marriage to Emily Smith ended in April after six years together. The couple had been spotted several times on the red carpet before tying the knot in 2019. As for why they called it quits, sources close to the actor told us that it was a mutual decision - with both parties citing busy schedules as the culprit.
But we know what really gets our hearts racing: Guttenberg's $5 million Palisades home suffered "terrible smoke damage" during the January wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles. The actor, who helped evacuate his neighbors in the midst of chaos, is now living across the country in New York while repairs are underway.
So there you have it - Steve Guttenberg: still shining bright after all these years, and with a healthy dose of humility to boot!
