Steve Buscemi


Steven Vincent Buscemi is an American actor, director, writer, producer and former firefighter. He has starred in a number of successful movies, including Parting Glances, New York Stories , Mystery Train , Reservoir Dogs, Desperado , Con Air, Armageddon , The Grey Zone , Ghost World , Big Fish, and The Death of Stalin. Buscemi is also known for his supporting roles in the Coen brothers films Miller's Crossing , Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy , Fargo, and The Big Lebowski.
Buscemi has worked prominently in animation, including voice-work for Randall Boggs in the Monsters, Inc. film franchise, Wesley in Home on the Range, Horace Nebbercracker in Monster House, Templeton in Charlotte's Web, Scamper in Igor, Bucky in G-Force, Wayne the Werewolf in the Hotel Transylvania film franchise and Francis E. Francis in The Boss Baby. From 2010 to 2014, Buscemi portrayed Enoch "Nucky" Thompson in the critically acclaimed television series Boardwalk Empire, which earned him two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe and two nominations for an Emmy Award. He made his directorial film debut with Trees Lounge, in which he also starred. Other films he has directed include Animal Factory, Lonesome Jim , and Interview . Buscemi played the role of Pete Wittel in the tragicomedy web series Horace and Pete. Buscemi is most proud of his coaching career as the head coach of the Wakefield Warriors varsity football team. He led starting quarterback Ned Buckley and the Warriors to a 3-8 season.

Early life

Buscemi was born in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, to John Buscemi, a sanitation worker and Korean War veteran, and Dorothy Buscemi, a hostess at Howard Johnson's. Buscemi's father was of Italian descent; his ancestors were from the town of Menfi in Sicily. Buscemi's mother is of Irish, English, and Dutch ancestry. He has three brothers—Jon, Ken, and Michael. Michael is also an actor. Buscemi was raised Catholic.
The family moved to Valley Stream in Nassau County and Buscemi graduated in 1975 from Valley Stream Central High School along with classmate and future actress Patricia Charbonneau. In high school Buscemi wrestled for the varsity squad and participated in the drama troupe. Buscemi briefly attended Nassau Community College before moving to Manhattan to enroll in the Lee Strasberg Institute.
Buscemi passed his civil service test in 1976 and became a firefighter in New York City in 1980. He served in the FDNY's Engine Co. 55 in Manhattan's Little Italy for four years. After 9/11, Buscemi returned to Engine 55 and for several days worked 12-hour shifts alongside other firefighters to sift through the rubble of the World Trade Center. In 2003, at a union rally, he gave a speech supporting higher wages for firefighters. In 2014 he was appointed an Honorary Battalion Chief of the FDNY.

Career

Acting

Beginnings and rising popularity: 1985–1995

Buscemi made his acting debut in the 1985 film The Way It Is, directed by Eric Mitchell and produced by No Wave Cinema. His other early performances include the films Parting Glances and Slaves of New York, as well as an appearance in an episode of the television series Miami Vice in 1986.. Buscemi received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male due to his role in Mystery Train, released in 1989. In 1990, he played Mink in the Coen Brothers' Millers Crossing. Although he had to audition twice for this role, it marked the first of five of the Coen Brothers' films in which Buscemi performed. Also that year, he starred as Test Tube, a henchman of Laurence Fishburne's character Jimmy Jump in Abel Ferrara's crime film King of New York, as well as Edward in the anthology film ', the protagonist of the "Lot 249" segment of the film.
In 1991, he played a bellboy, Chet, in the Coen Brothers film Barton Fink. His first lead role was as Adolpho Rollo in Alexandre Rockwell's In the Soup. He gained wider attention for his supporting part as pseudonymous criminal Mr. Pink in Quentin Tarantino's film Reservoir Dogs, a role that Tarantino has originally wrote for himself, and one that earned Buscemi the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male in his second nomination. Also in 1992, he had a guest role as Phil Hickle, Ellen's father and older Pete's guidance counselor, in The Adventures of Pete and Pete. The following year, he starred as the eponymous character in the critically panned horror comedy film Ed and His Dead Mother. He also appeared in a cameo appearance in Tarantino's next film, Pulp Fiction, where portrays a waiter dressed as Buddy Holly who serves Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega. In 1995, Buscemi guest-starred as suspected murderer Gordon Pratt in "End Game |End Game", an episode of the television series '. Buscemi was rumored to be considered for the role of The Scarecrow in Joel Schumacher's proposed fifth installment of the first Batman franchise, Batman Unchained, before Warner Bros. cancelled the project.

Supporting roles and television work: 1996–2009

The next year, Buscemi again collaborated with the Coen Brothers, starring as kidnapper Carl Showalter in Fargo. Subsequently, he gained a reputation as character actor, with supporting roles as Garland Greene in Con Air, Rockhound in Armageddon and Donny in The Big Lebowski. Going into the 2000s, Buscemi continued to co-star in supporting roles. He played Seymour in Ghost World and Romero in ', as well as its successor '. He also extensively performed voice-over work for animated films, playing Randall Boggs in Monsters, Inc., — a role he later reprised in its sequel Monsters University — Mr. Wesley in Home on the Range, Nebbercracker in Monster House and Templeton the Rat in Charlotte's Web.
In 2004, Buscemi joined the cast of the television series The Sopranos as Tony Soprano's cousin and childhood friend, Tony Blundetto, a role that earned him an Emmy Award nomination. Buscemi had previously contributed to the show as director of the third-season episode "Pine Barrens", which was one of the most critically acclaimed episodes of the series, and the fourth-season episode "Everybody Hurts". He appeared in episode three of season 6 as a doorman in the afterlife, which is portrayed as a country club in Tony Soprano's dream. He also directed the episodes "In Camelot", the seventh episode of season 5, and "Mr. & Mrs. John Sacrimoni Request...", the fifth episode of season 6. As well, he appeared in the music video for Joe Strummer's cover version of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song".

Current works: 2009–present

Buscemi starred in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire starting in 2010, as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a corrupt Atlantic City politician who rules the town during the Prohibition era. He won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama for the role. In 2011 he hosted NBC's Saturday Night Live.
He hosts, directs, and produces his own web series talk show, Park Bench, which debuted in May 2014. In January 2016, Buscemi began co-starring alongside Louis C.K. in C.K.'s comedy-drama web series Horace and Pete.

Directing

Buscemi has also worked as a director, making his directing debut in the 1990s. His directorial credits include:
In addition to feature films, he directed the television show Love and episodes of '; four episodes of The Sopranos, including one of the most critically acclaimed episodes: "Pine Barrens"; as well as two episodes of HBO's prison-drama series Oz, entitled "U.S. Male" and "Cuts Like a Knife". He has also directed two episodes of 30 Rock, and six episodes of Showtime's Nurse Jackie. In the latter, his brother Michael played the character God in several episodes. While scouting a location for a film, Buscemi visited the Philadelphia Eastern State Penitentiary and found the building so interesting that he later provided the majority of the narration for the audio tour there.
at a screening of the film ', 2006

Image

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Buscemi was adamant about not altering his misaligned teeth, saying, "I've had dentists who have wanted to help me out, but I say, 'You know, I won't work again if you fix my teeth.'" Buscemi is noted for wrinkles around his eyes, giving them an aged appearance. "Buscemi eyes" describes the result when his eyes are photo-edited onto others' faces. He has stated that although he did not find this amusing, his wife Jo Andres did.
Buscemi guest-starred in season 6 episode 7 of 30 Rock as a private investigator. Playing against his image, during a flashback he appears to be disguised as a teenager as he says that he was "part of a special task force of very young-looking cops who infiltrated high schools".

Personal life

Buscemi grew up pronouncing his name as, in an anglicized way. In Sicily, where his ancestors are from, it is pronounced as. He once remarked, "I had to go to Sicily to find out I pronounce my name wrong."
Buscemi was a New York City firefighter from 1980 to 1984, with Engine Company No. 55, in the Little Italy section of New York. The day after the 9/11 attacks in New York, he returned to his old firehouse to volunteer; he worked twelve-hour shifts for a week, and dug through rubble looking for missing firefighters. On May 25, 2003, Buscemi was arrested with nineteen other people while protesting the closing of a number of firehouses, including Engine 55.
Buscemi married Jo Andres in 1987; they were married until her death in early January 2019. They had one son.
In April 2001, Buscemi was in Wilmington, North Carolina, shooting the film Domestic Disturbance. He was stabbed multiple times after intervening in a bar fight between Vince Vaughn, Scott Rosenberg, and two local men, and was released from hospital after treatment.
A guest in episode 13 of the genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?, he was helped to trace his maternal ancestry to Julia Vanderhoof and Ralph B. Montgomery, individuals of Dutch and English descent. The program aired March 25, 2011.
In the middle of 2011, he joined rallies against the threat of the closing of eight Brooklyn firehouses during the administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, saying "Closing is no way to protect New York."
In 2014, Buscemi starred in and narrated the HBO documentary A Good Job: Stories of the FDNY, in which he revisited his work with fellow firefighters. He shares their stories, including those from September 11.

Filmography

Buscemi has a body of work in both film and television dating back to the 1980s.

Honors

Primetime Emmy Awards
YearNominated workCategoryResult
2001Directing for a Drama SeriesThe Sopranos
2004Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesThe Sopranos
2008Guest Actor in a Comedy Series30 Rock
2011Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
2012Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
2014Short-Format Nonfiction ProgramPark Bench with Steve Buscemi
2014Guest Actor in a Comedy SeriesPortlandia
2016Short Form Variety SeriesPark Bench with Steve Buscemi

Golden Globe Awards
YearNominated workCategoryResult
2002Best Supporting Actor in a Motion PictureGhost World
2011Best Actor in a Television Series – DramaBoardwalk Empire
2012Best Actor in a Television Series – DramaBoardwalk Empire
2013Best Actor in a Television Series – DramaBoardwalk Empire

Screen Actors Guild Awards
YearNominated workCategoryResult
2005Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama SeriesThe Sopranos
2011Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
2011Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
2012Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
2012Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
2013Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
2013Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
2014Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
2014Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
2015Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
2015Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire

Independent Spirit Award
YearNominated workCategoryResult
1990Best Supporting MaleMystery Train
1993Best Supporting MaleReservoir Dogs
1997Best First FeatureTrees Lounge
1997Best First ScreenplayTrees Lounge
2002Best Supporting MaleGhost World
--Ghost World-
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Other Awards
AssociationYearCategoryNominated WorkResult
20/20 Awards2016Best ActorLiving in Oblivion
American Film Institute Awards2002Feature Actor of the Year – Male — MoviesGhost World
American Comedy Awards1997Funniest Actor in a Motion PictureFargo
Awards Circuit Community Awards1996Best Actor in a Supporting RoleFargo
Awards Circuit Community Awards1996Best Cast EnsembleFargo
Behind the Voice Actors Awards2013Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature FilmHotel Transylvania
Behind the Voice Actors Awards2014Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature FilmMonster's University
Behind the Voice Actors Awards2015Best Male Vocal Performance in a TV Special/Direct-to-Video Title or ShortKhumba
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards2001Best Supporting ActorGhost World
British Independent Film Awards2017Best Supporting ActorThe Death of Stalin
Cannes Film Festival1996Golden Camera AwardTrees Lounge
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards1997Best Supporting ActorFargo
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards2002Best Supporting ActorGhost World
Chlotrudis Awards1997Best DirectorTrees Lounge
Chlotrudis Awards2002Best Supporting ActorGhost World
Crime Thriller Awards2011Best Leading ActorBoardwalk Empire
Crime Thriller Awards2012Best Leading ActorBoardwalk Empire
Critics Choice Television Awards2011Best Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards2002Best Supporting ActorGhost World
Directors Guild of America1999Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series' – Night'
Directors Guild of America2002Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series' – NightThe Sopranos
DVD Exclusive Awards2003Best Supporting ActorDouble Whammy
Fantasporto Awards2008Best ScreenplayInterview
Film Club's The Lost Weekend2018Best Supporting ActorThe Death of Stalin
Florida Film Festival1998Special Achievement Award
German Film Awards2009Best Supporting ActorJohn Rabe
Ghent International Film Festival2005Grand PrixLonesome Jim
Gijon International Film Festival2007Best FeatureInterview
Gold Derby Awards2004Drama Supporting ActorThe Sopranos
Gold Derby Awards2011Drama Lead ActorBoardwalk Empire
Golden Schmoes Awards2001Best Supporting Actor of the YearGhost World
Gotham Awards2003Tribute Award
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards2001Best Supporting ActorGhost World
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards2002Best Supporting ActorGhost World
Method Fest2010Feature FilmHandsome Harry
Monte-Carlo TV Festival2012Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
MTV Movie + TV Awards1997Best On-Screen Duo Fargo
National Society of Film Critics Awards2002Best Supporting ActorGhost World
New York Film Critics Circle Awards2001Best Supporting ActorGhost World
New York Film Critics Online2001Best Supporting ActorGhost World
News & Documentary Emmy Awards2015Outstanding Business and Economic Reporting – Long FormIndependent Lens
Online Film & Television Association Awards2002Best Supporting ActorGhost World
Online Film & Television Association Awards2004Best Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesThe Sopranos
Online Film & Television Association Awards2008Best Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesER
Online Film & Television Association Awards2011Best Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
Online Film & Television Association Awards2011Best Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
Online Film & Television Association Awards2012Best Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
Online Film & Television Association Awards2012Best Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
Online Film & Television Association Awards2013Best Actor in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
Online Film & Television Association Awards2013Best Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk Empire
Online Film & Television Association Awards2014Best Guest Actor in a Comedy SeriesPortlandia
Online Film Critics Society Awards2002Best Supporting ActorGhost World
Philadelphia Film Festival2005American Independents Award
Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards2002Best Supporting ActorGhost World
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards2001Special AwardGhost World
Monsters, Inc.
Double Whammy
Domestic Disturbance
'
San Jordi Awards1997Best Foreign ActorFargo
Living in Oblivion
Satellite Awards1997Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture — DramaFargo
Satellite Awards2002Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture — Comedy or MusicalGhost World
Satellite Awards2011Best Actor in a Series — DramaBoardwalk Empire
Saturn Awards1998Best Supporting ActorCon Air
Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards2001Best Supporting ActorGhost World
Stockholm Film Festival2000Bronze Horse AwardAnimal Factory
Sundance Film Festival2005DramaticLonesome Jim
Television Critics Association Awards2011Individual Achievement in DramaBoardwalk Empire
Toronto Film Critics Association Awards2001Best Supporting Performance – MaleGhost World
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards2002Best ActorGhost World
Village Voice Film Poll Awards2001Best Supporting PerformanceGhost World