Steve Buscemi

His surname is pronounced "Buss-ehm-ee". He is of Sicilian/Italian ancestry on his fathers side, and has Irish, English, and Dutch ancestry on his mothers side.

(October 1997) Ranked #52 in Empire magazines "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list.

Graduated in 1975 from Valley Stream Central High School, Valley Stream, NY. After graduation, he attended Nassau Community College and then moved to Manhattan to study acting at the famed Lee Strasberg Institute.

Brother of Michael Buscemi.

Was a New York City fireman from 1980 to 1984, with Manhattan Engine Company #55 in the Little Italy section of New York City.

One son, Lucian Buscemi , born in 1990.

Has been cast in six movies by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (( Millers Crossing , The Hudsucker Proxy , Barton Fink , Fargo , The Big Lebowski , and Paris, je taime ). This amounts to more appearances in Coen Brothers films than any other actor, exceeding by two films each Frances McDormand , John Turturro , and John Goodman. Buscemis character died in three of those Coen Brothers films: Millers Crossing , Fargo , and The Big Lebowski .

On April 12, 2001, Buscemi was stabbed in the throat, head, and arm during a barroom brawl at the Firebelly Lounge in Wilmington, North Carolina. The brawl also involved Vince Vaughn , who was arrested for refusing to disperse when ordered to by police, and charged with misdemeanor assault. Buscemi suffered a deep cut to the face, leaving a noticeable scar on his cheek. Heavy make-up is used to hide it in movies.

(September 2001) Showed up at his old firehouse the day after the World Trade Center tragedy in New York to volunteer. He worked twelve hour shifts for a week after the terrorist act, digging through rubble with his old comrades looking for missing firefighters, doing some anonymously.

Bears such a strong resemblance to writer-director John Waters that as a joke, Waters sent out cards with a photo of Buscemi made up to look like Waters.

He went through a variety of interesting jobs before hitting it big as a character actor. He worked as a bartender, drove an ice cream truck, attempted stand-up comedy, and (that which he is most proud of) was a professional firefighter (he continues to be a volunteer firefighter). He bombed so bad as a comic, that one night another comic, Paul Reiser , took his place. Years later, Buscemi made a guest appearance on Reisers sitcom, "Mad About You" , poking fun at the incident.

Frequently is typecast as sleazy or crazed characters, with his roles as Tommy in Trees Lounge and Seymour in Ghost World being the closest he has come to being the romantic lead.

Is one of the most prolific of todays actors, often starring in about 5 films a year.

In addition to his acting work, he has gained praise as a director, most notably for Trees Lounge , Animal Factory and several episodes of "The Sopranos" .

The band "Blessid Union of Souls" makes a reference to him in their hit song, "Hey Leonardo". They refer to him as "That guy who played in Fargo . I think his name is Steve."

Despite Internet rumors, Buscemi never auditioned for the part of George Costanza on the long running US TV show "Seinfeld". He admitted on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon (Season 2 ep. 181) he had no idea how the rumor started, nor how to get it removed since he didnt understand how the Internet works.

In 2003, as part of a year-long tourist promotion at the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he narrated the facilitys audio tour.

His character in Reservoir Dogs refuses to tip waitresses. He later made a cameo as a waiter in Pulp Fiction .

Was good enough to be a varsity wrestler (105 lb weight class) on the wrestling team in high school. He was also a soccer player, and was considered a "jock" rather than a scholar. Years later, while appearing on "Late Night with Conan OBrien" , Buscemi challenged Andy Richter to a wrestling match when he found out Richter was on his high school wrestling team also. Much to Buscemis embarrassment, Richter won, although Richter pointed out that being six inches taller and at least one hundred pounds heavier than Buscemi might have given him an edge.

#21 on Tropopkins Top 25 Most Intriguing People [Issue #100]

Played a character in Desperado whose characters name was his own last name.

Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 2003.

His father, John, had hoped to be a television cameraman, but he ended up clearing garbage for the sanitation department. His mother, Dorothy, worked as a hostess in the Howard Johnson hotels.

Has three brothers.

Was born on a Friday the 13th.

Went to a Catholic school.

Grandmother had 5 children.

Fractured his skull when he was hit by the bus when he was young. Some time later, he was hit by a car while chasing a ball which had rolled onto the street. He had cuts and bruises from this accident.

Grew up in Valley Stream, New York, as did actors Edward Burns , James Martin Kelly , and Larry Miller.

Good friends with actor Stanley Tucci.

Best man at his friend Stanley Tucci s wedding to Felicity Blunt.

He and Norm MacDonald voiced as gingerbread men for the famous AT&T Christmas commercial.

On Friday, March 4, 2005, Buscemi was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award as part of Valley Stream Central High Schools 75th anniversary celebration.

My favorite review described me as the cinematic equivalent of junk,mail.

There’s something about being naïve. Really interesting things come because you don’t know what the rules are, what you can and can’t do.

Bob Altman had this relaxed but serious attitude. Everybody loved him. I wanted him to adopt me.

I read the script and decide if a particular character looks fun to play. I look for complexity and a sense of humor. Those are crucial, real things to life.

I just like playing interesting, complex, complicated characters. I like films that also have an element of humor.

When I moved to the East Village in the late seventies, I wanted to be a street performer, so I practiced daily. I never did work up the skills or the courage to perform on the street, though.