The Man Who Wasn't There (1983) and had a supporting part in the post-apocalyptic television movie The Day After (1983). Guttenberg starred in The Ferret (1984) a pilot for a TV series that was not picked up. In 1984, Guttenberg played the lead role in Police Academy. It grossed $8.5 million in its opening weekend and over $149 million worldwide, against a budget of $4.5 million, and of the film franchise it launched, it is the most successful. He then became a busy star over the next four years, appearing in nine starring roles, tying with Gene Hackman for busiest actor. 1985 to 1990: Subsequent success In 1985, Police Academy was quickly followed by a sequel, Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment. Guttenberg then had the romantic male lead in Cocoon, another box-office success. A comedy in which he starred, Bad Medicine, was not particularly successful. In 1986, Guttenberg played Pecos Bill in an episode of Tall Tales & Legends, then was in Police Academy 3: Back in Training. In 1986, Guttenberg starred in Short Circuit opposite Ally Sheedy, another very popular film. In 1987, he changed pace with the thriller The Bedroom Window , directed by Curtis Hanson, then made Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, his last Police Academy Film. Guttenberg had a cameo in Amazon Women on the Moon and supported Michael Caine and Sally Field in Surrender. Guttenberg had the biggest financial success of his career to date with Three Men and a Baby with Tom Selleck and Ted Danson. In 1988, he starred with Peter O'Toole and Daryl Hannah in High Spirits, which flopped. In 1989, he appeared in the Michael Jackson music video "Liberian Girl". He also acted in Cocoon: The Return which was a commercial disappointment. 1990s In 1990, he replaced Timothy Hutton in the lead role of Prelude to a Kiss at the Helen Hayes Theatre on Broadway. He also performed in London's West End, where he starred in The Boys Next Door. He appeared in the world stage premiere production of Furthest From the Sun, which Woody Harrelson directed and co-authored. In films, he acted in Don't Tell Her It's Me and 3 Men and a Little Lady. He directed "Love Off Limits" for CBS Schoolbreak Special in 1993. In 1995, he acted in The Big Green. He was among the ensemble in Home for the Holidays, and starred in It