Veteran actor and Long Island native Steve Guttenberg is taking on a chilling new role in Lifetime’s "Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story."

It's a stark turn from his famously comedic background. In the film, Guttenberg plays serial killer John Robinson.

"John Robinson was so disturbed inside that I really felt that, that disturbance would create his outside character, the way he walked, the way he talked,” explained Guttenberg. 

During his sit-down interview with News 12’s Angelica Toruno, he recalled the moments in early 2025 when the Palisades fire in California damaged Guttenberg's home. Instead of evacuating, he stayed behind to help his neighbors fight off spot fires. 

"My house is going to take a year or more to bring back to normal,” he said. “"It was something that I hope you'll never see. My eyes saw 50 feet of fire coming toward me. I saw people screaming and running." 

Despite living on the West Coast, Guttenberg says his heart remains on the East Coast - especially Long Island, where he grew up. 

"I love Long Island. It's where my roots are,” said Guttenberg. 

Beyond his role in "Kidnapped by a Killer," Guttenberg is also working on several other projects, including an animated version of "Ted" with Mark Wahlberg.