Steve Buscemi was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He became interested in acting during his last year of high school. After graduating, he moved to Manhattan to study acting with John Strasberg. He began writing and performing original theatre pieces with fellow actor/writer Mark Boone Junior. This led to his being cast in his first lead role in Parting Glances. Since then, he has worked with many of the top filmmakers in Hollywood, including Quentin Tarantino, Jerry Bruckheimer, and The Coen Brothers. He is a highly respected actor.


Surname pronunced Buss-ehm-ee. Is of Italian and Irish-American ancestry. 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. Was a New York City Fireman from 1980 to 1984, with Engine Company #55 in the Little Italy section of NY. Has been cast in six movies by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, more appearances in Coen Brothers films than any other actor, exceeding by two films Frances McDormand, John Turturro and John Goodman. His character died in three of them: Miller's Crossing (1990), Fargo (1996), and The Big Lebowski (1998). Showed up at his old firehouse the day after the World Trade Center tragedy in New York to volunteer. Worked twelve hour shifts for a week after the terrorist act, digging through rubble with his old comrades looking for missing firefighters... anonymously. [September 2001] Modelled for H&M (2000). 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. 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). Auditioned for the part of George Costanza on "Seinfeld" (1990). 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. 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 on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993), Buscemi challenged Andy Richter to a wrestling match when he found out Richter was on a high school wrestling team also. Much to Buscemi's embarrassment, Richter won, although Richter noted that fact the he is six inches taller and at least 100 pounds heavier might have given him an edge. Played a character in Desperado (1995) whose character's name was his own last name. Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 2003. Has three brothers. Went to a Catholic school. 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.