Steve Guttenberg Plays Notorious Serial Killer in New Lifetime Movie

LOS ANGELES, CA — Actor Steve Guttenberg is stepping into a chilling role as serial killer John Edward Robinson in the Lifetime movie “Kidnapped By a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story.” The film is set to air on Saturday, June 7.

Guttenberg, known for his iconic roles in the “Police Academy” series and “Three Men and a Baby,” portrays Robinson, a man currently on death row in Kansas for multiple murders. In preparing for this uncharacteristic role, Guttenberg underwent a significant transformation, both physically and mentally, to reflect the real-life criminal’s mobility issues and menacing nature.

“I read as much as I could about John, the incident and his life,” Guttenberg shared. “It’s pretty horrific—he’s a terrible human being.” Robinson is infamous for a ruthless crime spree spanning from 1984 to 2000, during which he kidnapped, raped, and murdered at least eight women.

The film tells the story of Heather Robinson, who was unwittingly raised by her uncle after her biological mother was murdered. Guttenberg addressed the depth of the tragedy, saying, “I felt for Heather and how this poor woman was going through life thinking her mom and dad were her mom and dad.” He hopes that she is living a good life despite her traumatic past.

Rachel Stubington plays Heather Robinson, who discovers shocking truths about her family as a teenager. Guttenberg noted the psychological complexity of his character, stating, “There is something in him that creates this illusion that what he’s doing is the right thing.”

In the past, Guttenberg starred primarily in comedic roles, but he sees this as an opportunity to explore the darker side of acting. “I wanted to disappear into this guy,” he explained. He spent hours in makeup each day to embody the character fully.

As Guttenberg prepares for future projects, including an animated film alongside Seth McFarlane, he remains reflective about the impacts of Robinson’s horrific actions on countless lives. “He was a horrible murderer,” Guttenberg said. “He took everything from them, and he destroyed hundreds — maybe a thousand people — through his murders.”

“Kidnapped By a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story” premieres on Lifetime on June 7. Viewers are encouraged to check local listings for airtimes.