Childhood & Early Life
Steve Buscemiwas born Steven Vincent Buscemion December 13, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA, to Dorothy and John Buscemi. He is of English-Dutch-Italian descent and was raised a staunch Roman Catholic.
He studied at âValley Stream Central High Schoolâ from where he graduated in 1975. When he was in school, he wrestled for the varsity group and was also a member of the drama troupe.
He studied at âNassau Community Collegeâ for a briefperiod of time before moving to Manhattan to study theatre at the âLee Strasberg Institute.â After he completed his education, he gave a civil service test in 1976. He cleared the examinations to become a New York City firefighter with âEngine Company No. 55.â
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Career
One of his initial films was âParting Glancesâ in 1986. He also appeared in an episode of the television series âMiami Viceâ where he portrayed the character of âRickles.â
In 1987, he starred in âKiss Daddy Goodnightâ and âHeart,â followed by âCall Meâ and âHeart of Midnightâ the next year. His other early films include âSlaves of New Yorkâ and âTales from the Darkside.â
Starting from 1990, he became one of the most prominent âbad-boys of Hollywoodâafter appearing in âKing of New Yorkâ and âMillerâs Crossing.â The latter became the first of six films in which Buscemi would work with the Coen Brothers.
In 1991, he was seen in another Coen Brothers film âBarton Finkâ where he played the role of a bellboy namedâChet.âThe next year, helanded lead roles in films like âIn the Soupâ and âReservoir Dogs.â
From 1993 to 1995, he starred in a string of films, including âRising Sun,ââThe Adventures of Pete & Pete,â âThe Hudsucker Proxy,â âPulp Fiction,â âFloundering,â âBilly Madison,â and âDesperado.â
He appeared in some of the most important films of his career in 1996 for which he received numerous award nominations. He was seen in movies, such as âFargo,â âEscape from L.A.,â âTrees Lounge,â and âKansas City.â
From 1997 to 1999, he was seen in movies like âCon Air,â âThe Big Lebowski,â âThe Imposters,â âThe Wedding Singer,â and âBig Daddy.âIn most of these films, he played characters that were neurotic and paranoid.
The year 2001 proved to be momentous for the actor. He won numerous awards for his portrayal of âSeymourâ in âGhost World,â which is considered one of his most successful movies till date. He also starred in âThe Grey Zone,â âDouble Whammy,â and âMonsters, Inc.â the same year.
In 2002, he contributed to the single âBroadway Songâ from Lou Reedâs album âThe Raven.â He also contributed to the poems, âOld Poeâ and âThe Cask.â The next year, he appeared as himself on âThe Simpsons.â The same year, he wasalso seen in âThe Laramie Project,â â13 Moons,â and âMr. Deeds.â
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In 2004, he joined the cast of âThe Sopranosâ as âTony Blundetto,â a role which earned him an âEmmy Awardâ nomination. He had previously directed an episode of the show, which went on to become one of the most critically-acclaimed episodes. He also voicedâWesleyâ in âHome on the Range.â
He directed and starred in âInterviewâ and also appeared as âDwightâ in an episode of âThe Simpsonsâ in 2007. More television appearances followed as he was seen in five episodes of â30 Rockâ the same year. One of his films, âRomance & Cigarettes,â received mixed reviews.
In 2009 and 2010, he appeared in âJohn Rabe,â âThe Messenger,â âHandsome Harry,â and âGrown Ups.âHis biggest career breakthrough was his performance in the television series âBoardwalk Empireâ for which he won numerous awards.
From 2012 to 2013, he worked in films like âOn the Road,â âHotel Transylvania,â âThe Incredible Burt Wonderstone,â âMonsters University,â âGrown Ups 2,â and âKhumba.â
From 2014 to 2015, he directed, hosted, and produced his own web series talk show titledâPark Benchwith Steve Buscemi.â
In 2016, Buscemistarred alongside Louis C.K. in the comedy-drama web series âHorace and Pete.â
In 2017, he was seen in films like âLean on Peteâ and âThe Death of Stalin.â The following year, he played âLeo Lynchâ in âNancyâ and then appeared as âCharlesâ in âThe Week Of.â
In 2019, he became part of the main cast of the American anthology comedy television series âMiracle Workers.âThe same year, he played âFarmer Millerâ in Jim Jarmusch's zombie horror comedy film âThe Dead Don't Die.â