Steve Buscemi

Steven Vincent Buscemi, born on December 13, 1957, is an American actor known for his versatile work as a character actor. He gained early recognition for his roles in independent films like the AIDS drama Parting Glances (1986), Mystery Train (1989), and In the Soup (1992). However, it was his breakout role as Mr. Pink in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (1992) that brought him widespread acclaim.


Throughout his career, Buscemi has balanced independent projects with roles in mainstream films. Some of his notable mainstream credits include Living in Oblivion (1995), Desperado (1995), Con Air (1997), Armageddon (1998), Monsters, Inc. (2001), Ghost World (2001), Big Fish (2003), The Boss Baby (2017), The Death of Stalin (2017), and The King of Staten Island (2020). He has frequently collaborated with the Coen brothers, appearing in films like Miller's Crossing (1990), Fargo (1996), and The Big Lebowski (1998). Additionally, Buscemi has made cameo or supporting appearances in several films alongside Adam Sandler, including Airheads (1994), Billy Madison (1995), The Wedding Singer (1998), Mr. Deeds (2002), and the Hotel Transylvania franchise.


In television, Buscemi has had a prolific career, notably starring as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014). His performance in the show earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe, and two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He has also appeared in various other television shows such as Lonesome Dove (1989), The Sopranos (2004, 2006), 30 Rock (2007–2013), Horace and Pete (2016), and Miracle Workers (2019–2023).
Aside from acting, Buscemi has also ventured into directing, with films like Trees Lounge (1996), Animal Factory (2000), and Interview (2007) under his belt.


Steven Vincent Buscemi was born on December 13, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Dorothy and John Buscemi. His father, John, was a sanitation worker and a Korean War veteran, while his mother, Dorothy, worked as a hostess at Howard Johnson's. Buscemi's paternal ancestors hailed from Menfi, Sicily, Italy, while his mother had English and Dutch ancestry. He grew up with three brothers: Jon, Ken, and Michael, with Michael also pursuing a career in acting, notably appearing in BlacKkKlansman (2018). The Buscemi family practiced Catholicism.


At the age of 10, the family relocated from East New York to Valley Stream in Nassau County. Buscemi attended Valley Stream Central High School, where he graduated in 1975. During his high school years, he was involved in both wrestling for the varsity team and participating in the drama troupe. After high school, Buscemi briefly attended Nassau Community College before moving to Manhattan to study at the Lee Strasberg Institute.
It's worth noting that Buscemi's 1996 film Trees Lounge, in which he starred, wrote, and directed, is set in his childhood hometown of Valley Stream and was largely filmed there.


Buscemi began his acting career with the 1985 film The Way It Is, directed by Eric Mitchell, which was associated with the no wave cinema movement. Following this debut, he appeared in various projects, including Parting Glances (1986), where he gained recognition for his performance. Additionally, in 1986, he made an appearance in an episode of the television series Miami Vice.


In 1989, Buscemi had notable roles in several films, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He appeared in James Ivory's comedy Slaves of New York, Howard Brookner's ensemble period film Bloodhounds of Broadway, and Martin Scorsese's segment "Life Lessons" from the anthology film New York Stories. The latter screened at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival, with Scorsese's segment receiving praise from critics, notably Roger Ebert.
Buscemi also starred in Jim Jarmusch's independent film Mystery Train (1989), portraying the character Charlie the Barber. His performance earned him a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male, highlighting his talent and contribution to the indie film scene.


In 1990, Buscemi portrayed Mink Larouie in the Coen Brothers' neo-noir gangster film Miller's Crossing, starring alongside Gabriel Byrne, Marcia Gay Harden, and John Turturro. This marked the beginning of his collaboration with the Coen Brothers, which would span across five films. The film was well-received by critics, with Roger Ebert praising its homage to classic cinema.


The same year, Buscemi appeared as Test Tube, a henchman in Abel Ferrara's crime film King of New York, and portrayed Edward in the anthology film Tales from the Darkside: The Movie.
In 1991, he played Chet, a bellboy, in the Coen Brothers' black comedy Barton Fink. This role further solidified his working relationship with the Coen Brothers.


Buscemi's breakthrough came in 1992 when he portrayed Mr. Pink, a pseudonymous criminal, in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. This role earned him the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male and garnered widespread recognition for his talent.
He continued to diversify his roles, starring as Adolpho Rollo in Alexandre Rockwell's In the Soup (1992) and guest-starring as Phil Hickle in The Adventures of Pete and Pete.
In 1993, he took on the lead role in the horror comedy film Ed and His Dead Mother, showcasing his versatility as an actor.


Throughout the late 1990s, Buscemi maintained a prolific career, appearing in several films by the Coen Brothers, including Fargo (1996) as kidnapper Carl Showalter, and The Big Lebowski (1998) as Donny.
He also had supporting roles in blockbuster action films like Con Air (1997) and Armageddon (1998), further establishing himself as a versatile character actor.
In addition to his film work, Buscemi made cameo appearances, such as portraying a waiter in Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994), and directed episodes of television series like Homicide: Life on the Street and Oz during this period.


In 1999, Buscemi co-starred alongside Adam Sandler in the comedy Big Daddy. Transitioning into the 2000s, he continued to excel in supporting roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
One of his notable roles during this period was Seymour in the black comedy Ghost World (2001), where he starred opposite Scarlett Johansson and Thora Birch. The film received critical acclaim, with Roger Ebert praising Buscemi's performance, noting that it was a culmination of his career. He received multiple nominations for his role, including a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.


In the same year, Buscemi voiced the character Randall Boggs in the Disney Pixar animated film Monsters, Inc. (2001). The film was both a critical and financial success, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. He continued his voice-over work in animated films, reprising his role as Randall in Monsters University (2013), among others.
During this period, Buscemi took on diverse roles in both live-action and animated films. He portrayed Romero in the children's action adventure film Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002), as well as its sequel Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003).
In 2004, Buscemi joined the cast of the acclaimed HBO crime television series The Sopranos as Tony Soprano's cousin and childhood friend, Tony Blundetto. His performance earned him an Emmy Award nomination. He had previously directed several episodes of the series, including the critically acclaimed "Pine Barrens" episode.


Buscemi's filmography during this time also includes appearances in comedy films such as Mr. Deeds (2002), I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), and Grown Ups (2010), often starring alongside Adam Sandler. He also starred in numerous critically acclaimed independent drama films, including Big Fish (2003), Coffee and Cigarettes (2003), and The Messenger (2009).
In addition to his acting career, Buscemi ventured into directing, helming films like Lonesome Jim (2005) and Interview (2007). He also served as an executive producer for the film Saint John of Las Vegas (2009). Furthermore, Buscemi continued his voice-over work in animated films, lending his talents to projects such as Igor (2008), G-Force (2009), and Hotel Transylvania (2012).

References

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3. ^ Kiang, Jessica (January 1, 2016). "30 Great Actors Who've Never Been Oscar Nominated". Indiewire. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
4. ^ Robey, Tim (February 1, 2016). "20 great actors who've never been nominated for an Oscar". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
5. "Steve Buscemi Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
6. ^ "Famous birthdays for Dec. 13: Steve Buscemi, Jamie Foxx". United Press International. December 13, 2021. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
7. ^ Ross, Harold Wallace; White, Katharine Sergeant Angell (November 2005). "The New Yorker".