Steve Buscemi is my favorite actor. He has been in blockbuster movies (Armageddon), independent films (Living in Oblivion), even on television (The Sopranos), but many still do not know who he is. He is the thin guy with bugged out eyes, usually playing a nervous, talkative character. He seems to be able to move into any role so easily, that people overlook his greatness. He is one of the most prolific actors today, having starred in almost 100 movies over the past 22 years.
He was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1957. He acted in high school, but in 1980, he became a fireman. Four years later, he quit firefighting to become one of the most successful character actors ever. He starred as Mr. Pink in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs then again in as the Buddy Holly waiter in Pulp Fiction. He is also a favorite of the Coen Brothers, having been in Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, Fargo (one of my personal favorites), The Hudsucker Proxy, and Miller’s Crossing. He frequently makes guest appearances (often unbilled) in movies starring Adam Sandler, having been in Airheads, Big Daddy, Billy Madison, Mr. Deeds, and The Wedding Singer. He was the voice of Randall Boggs in Monsters, Inc. and the voice of Templeton in the upcoming Charlotte’s Web.
Steve has also written and directed movies as well. If you have not seen 1996’s Trees Lounge, I highly recommend it. Steve not only wrote and directed it, but also starred in it. He also directed Animal Factory and several episodes of The Sopranos.
Not only do I like the fact that Steve is a great actor, he also seems to be just a genuinely nice person. But, don’t take my word for it. Ask Engine Company #55 in Little Italy what they think of him. On September 11, 2000, he showed up at his old firehouse and worked twelve-hour shifts for a week after the tragedy.