Over the past two weeks, the Republican and Democratic parties have held their national conventions in Cleveland and Philadelphia, whereDonald TrumpandHillary Clintonwere officially named as each party’s candidate for President. On Tuesday night,Hillary’s husband and former PresidentBill Clintongave his speech at the convention, where he mentioned that during a particularly troubling time in his Presidency, theMonica Lewinskyscandal, he took a few days off with his daughterChelsea Clinton, where they watched all sixPolice Academymovies. While this admission came as quite a surprise to most political pundits,Police AcademystarSteve Guttenbergsaid he had heard the story before. Here’s part ofBill Clinton’s Tuesday night speech where he mentionsPolice Academy.
“Truth is, we rarely disagreed on parenting, although she did believe that I had gone a little over the top when I took a couple of days off with Chelsea to watch all sixPolice Academy moviesback to back.”
Deadlinecaught up withSteve Guttenberg, who revealed that President Clinton told him this story when they met in person several years ago. While he wouldn’t say exactly when thisPolice Academymarathon took place, it’s clear that it was at some point during theMonica Lewinskysex scandal. Here’s whatSteve Guttenberghad to say about his interactions with President Clinton.
“It was a fun, meaningful story about the fun side of parenting. But I actually saw him a few years ago, and another reason that story rang so true is that he was telling the truth… We were talking, and he was saying he was having a couple of days that were challenging. And I knew what it was about at the time, it was in the papers. And he told me ‘I gotta tell you, I sat down with Chelsea and I watched all sixPolice Academymovies.’ It was such a delightful surprise to me, but I couldn’t help but think to myself, ‘you’ve got the most important job on the planet, and you’re taking time out to watchPolice Academy?’ But years later I’ve come to understand it’s very important when you’re driving at 100 miles an hour to pull over and refuel and oil up the gears. It really moved me to know that with such an important job, he still was mindful of how important that it. I think that’s a requisite quality in a great person.”
The actor added that he tries to apply that story to his own life, adding how important recreational time is to one’s career.Steve Guttenbergstarred in the first fourPolice Academymovies, the originalPolice Academy(1984),Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment(1985),Police Academy 3: Back in Training(1986) andPolice Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol(1987). The series continued withPolice Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach(1988) andPolice Academy: Mission to Moscow(1994).
Key & PeelestarsKeegan Michael KeyandJordan Peeleare currently developing aPolice Academy reboot, alongside originalPolice AcademyproducerPaul Maslansky.Keegan Michael Keyrevealed in an interview from earlier this year that their take on the project is inspired by directorDavid Ayer’s gritty cop thrillerEnd of Watchand also by the original 1970s movieMASH, which spawned the beloved sitcom.Steve Guttenbergmost recently starred inLavalantula 2, where he reunites with several of hisPoilce Academyco-stars, and he will be seen inSharknado: The 4th Awakens, which debuts Sunday, July 31 on Syfy.
