Trivia

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 so anonymously. (September 2001)

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.

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 Reiser's sitcom, Mad About You (1992), poking fun at the incident.

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

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 O'Brien (1993), Buscemi challenged Andy Richter to a wrestling match when he found out Richter was on his high school wrestling team also. Much to Buscemi's 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.

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.

While he was a firefighter in the 1980's, he was very secretive towards his colleagues about his wish to become an actor, believing that they wouldn't take him seriously. When they found out about it, they soon visited his stage plays and were very supportive during his journey.

Good friends with actor Stanley Tucci.

In addition to his acting work, he has gained praise as a director, most notably for Trees Lounge (1996), Animal Factory (2000) and several episodes of The Sopranos (1999).

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.

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

One son, Lucian Buscemi, born in 1990.

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.

Was born on a Friday the 13th.

He has appeared in three films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Pulp Fiction (1994), Fargo (1996) and The Big Lebowski (1998).

Frequently is typecast as sleazy or crazed characters, with his roles as Tommy in Trees Lounge (1996) and Seymour in Ghost World (2001) being the closest he has come to being the romantic lead.

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

Has been cast in six movies by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen ((Miller's Crossing (1990), The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), Barton Fink (1991), Fargo (1996), The Big Lebowski (1998), and Paris, Je T'aime (2006)). 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. Buscemi's character died in three of those Coen Brothers films: Miller's Crossing (1990), Fargo (1996), and The Big Lebowski (1998). In each of those films, in that order, his remains become progressively smaller: in Miller's crossing we see his whole body, in Fargo we see one of his legs and in The Big Lebowski his remains are simply ashes.

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

Has been described as the "Peter Lorre of his time.".

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.

Alecia Beth Moore, a future music sensation, watched Reservoir Dogs (1992) with her friends and dubbed each other the characters' names. They all agreed she was most like Buscemi's character, "Mr. Pink". Since then the singer made it her stage name and is better known as P!nk.

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

His character in Reservoir Dogs (1992) refuses to tip waitresses. He later made a cameo as a waiter in Pulp Fiction (1994).

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 (1996). I think his name is Steve.".

Played a character in Desperado (1995) whose character's name was his own last name.

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

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

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, episode 181) he had no idea how the rumor started, nor how to get it removed since he didn't understand how the Internet works.

#21 on Tropopkin's Top 25 Most Intriguing People [Issue #100]

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

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

Has three brothers.

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

Went to a Catholic school.

Two of his starring films Domestic Disturbance (2001) and Monsters, Inc. (2001) both released on the same day on November 2, 2001 in the USA.

Brother of Michael Buscemi.

Grandmother had 5 children.