Steven Vincent Buscemi is a well-regarded American character actor. He initially gained recognition for his roles in independent films like "Parting Glances" (1986), "Mystery Train" (1989), and "In the Soup" (1992). His breakthrough role as Mr. Pink in Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" (1992) solidified his place in the film industry.
December 13, 1957: Birth of Steve Buscemi
Steven Vincent Buscemi was born on December 13, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York City.
1975: Graduation from High School
Buscemi graduated from Valley Stream Central High School along with future writer Edward J. Renehan Jr. and future actress Patricia Charbonneau.
1981: The Pyramid Cocktail Lounge Opens
The Pyramid Cocktail Lounge opened on New York's Lower East Side, where Buscemi would become a regular performer.
1985: Film Debut in The Way It Is
Buscemi made his film debut in the no wave cinema film The Way It Is, directed by Eric Mitchell.
1986: Roles in Parting Glances and Miami Vice
Buscemi appeared in the AIDS drama Parting Glances and an episode of the television series Miami Vice.
1989: Roles in Slaves of New York, Bloodhounds of Broadway, New York Stories, and Mystery Train
Buscemi appeared in James Ivory's comedy Slaves of New York, Howard Brookner's ensemble period film Bloodhounds of Broadway, the New York Stories segment "Life Lessons," directed by Martin Scorsese, and Jim Jarmusch's independent film Mystery Train. He received an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for his role in Mystery Train.
1989: Role in Lonesome Dove
Buscemi appeared in the Western miniseries Lonesome Dove.
1990: Roles in Miller's Crossing, King of New York, and Tales from the Darkside: The Movie
Buscemi played Mink Larouie in the Coen Brothers' film Miller's Crossing, Test Tube in Abel Ferrara's crime film King of New York, and Edward in the "Lot 249" segment of the anthology film Tales from the Darkside: The Movie.
1991: Role in Barton Fink
Buscemi played Chet the bellhop in the Coen Brothers' black comedy Barton Fink.
1992: Independent Spirit Award for Reservoir Dogs
Buscemi won his first Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his role in the film Reservoir Dogs.
1992: Breakthrough Role as Mr. Pink in Reservoir Dogs and Guest Role in The Adventures of Pete and Pete
Buscemi had his breakout role as Mr. Pink in Quentin Tarantino's crime film Reservoir Dogs, for which he won an Independent Spirit Award. He also had a guest role in the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete and Pete.
1992: Lead Role in In the Soup
Buscemi played his first lead role as Adolpho Rollo in Alexandre Rockwell's In the Soup.
1993: Lead Role in Ed and His Dead Mother
Buscemi starred as the titular character in the horror comedy Ed and His Dead Mother.
1994: Appearance in Pulp Fiction and Airheads
Steve Buscemi appeared in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction and the comedy Airheads starring Adam Sandler.
1994: Airheads Release
Steve Buscemi starred as Rex, the bass player of The Lone Rangers, in the comedy film 'Airheads'.
1995: Roles in Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead and Billy Madison
Buscemi starred in Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead and appeared alongside Adam Sandler in Billy Madison.
1995: Homicide: Life on the Street Appearance
Steve Buscemi guest-starred as suspected murderer Gordon Pratt in the "End Game" episode of the television series 'Homicide: Life on the Street'.
1996: Fargo Release
Steve Buscemi starred as kidnapper Carl Showalter in the Coen brothers' black comedy crime film, 'Fargo', which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
1996: Release of Trees Lounge
Buscemi wrote, directed, and starred in the comedy-drama film Trees Lounge.
1996: Release of Trees Lounge
Buscemi released Trees Lounge, a film he wrote, directed, and starred in, which is set in and was largely shot in his childhood town of Valley Stream.
1996: Roles in Fargo and Escape from L.A.
Buscemi appeared in the Coen brothers film Fargo and the dystopian action film Escape from L.A.
1997: Role in Con Air
Buscemi appeared in the action film Con Air, starring Nicolas Cage.
1997: Con Air Release
Steve Buscemi appeared as Garland Greene in the action film 'Con Air', directed by Simon West.
1998: Roles in The Big Lebowski and The Wedding Singer
Buscemi starred in the Coen Brothers' cult classic film The Big Lebowski and appeared in the Adam Sandler romantic comedy The Wedding Singer.
1998: Armageddon and The Big Lebowski Release
Steve Buscemi appeared as Rockhound in Michael Bay's 'Armageddon' and also as Donny in the Coen brothers' cult classic 'The Big Lebowski'.
1999: Directing Debut on Homicide: Life on the Street
Steve Buscemi made his directorial debut with the episode "Finnegan's Wake" on the NBC drama series 'Homicide: Life on the Street'.
1999: Big Daddy Release
Steve Buscemi starred alongside Adam Sandler in the comedy 'Big Daddy'.
2000: Release of Animal Factory
Buscemi directed the prison drama Animal Factory, starring Willem Dafoe and Edward Furlong.
2000: Role in 28 Days
Buscemi appeared in the comedy-drama 28 Days, starring Sandra Bullock.
2001: Role in Domestic Disturbance
Buscemi appeared in the thriller film Domestic Disturbance.
2001: Directing on HBO's Oz
Steve Buscemi directed two episodes of the HBO prison drama 'Oz'.
2001: Ghost World and Monsters, Inc. Release
Steve Buscemi starred as Seymour in the critically acclaimed black comedy 'Ghost World' and also voiced Randall Boggs in the Disney Pixar animated film 'Monsters, Inc.'.
2002: Role in Mr. Deeds
Buscemi appeared in the Adam Sandler comedy film Mr. Deeds.
2002: Mr. Deeds Release
Steve Buscemi acted in the comedy film 'Mr. Deeds' starring Adam Sandler.
2002: Spy Kids 2 Release
Steve Buscemi appeared as Romero in the children's action adventure film 'Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams'.
2003: Big Fish and Coffee and Cigarettes Release
Steve Buscemi appeared in Tim Burton's fantasy drama 'Big Fish' and Jim Jarmusch's 'Coffee and Cigarettes'.
2003: Awards and Recognition for Ghost World
Steve Buscemi received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film Ghost World. He also won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for the same role.
2003: Spy Kids 3-D Release
Steve Buscemi reprised his role as Romero in the sequel, 'Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over'.
2004: Home on the Range and Monsters University Release
Steve Buscemi provided voice work for two animated films: 'Home on the Range' as Mr. Wesley and 'Monsters University' as Randall Boggs.
2004: Joining The Sopranos and Directing Episodes
Steve Buscemi joined the cast of the HBO series 'The Sopranos' as Tony Blundetto and also directed two episodes, "Pine Barrens" and "Everybody Hurts".
2004: First Appearance in The Sopranos
Buscemi made his first guest appearance in the HBO series The Sopranos.
2005: Role in The Island
Buscemi appeared in the science fiction action film The Island, directed by Michael Bay.
2005: Romance & Cigarettes Release and Lonesome Jim Directing
Steve Buscemi acted in John Turturro's romantic drama 'Romance & Cigarettes' and also directed the comedy-drama film 'Lonesome Jim'.
2006: Second Appearance in The Sopranos
Buscemi made another guest appearance on the HBO series The Sopranos.
2006: Paris, je t'aime and Monster House Release
Steve Buscemi acted in the anthology film 'Paris, je t'aime' and voiced a character in the animated film 'Monster House'.
2006: Monster House Release
Steve Buscemi voiced Nebbercracker in the animated film 'Monster House'.
2007: I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, I Think I Love My Wife Release, and Interview Directing
Steve Buscemi appeared in two comedy films: 'I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry' with Adam Sandler and 'I Think I Love My Wife' with Chris Rock. He also directed the comedy-drama 'Interview'.
2007: Recurring Role on 30 Rock
Steve Buscemi began his recurring role as Lenny Wosniak on the NBC sitcom '30 Rock'.
2007: First Appearance in 30 Rock
Buscemi made his first appearance as private investigator Lenny Wosniak on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock.
2007: Release of Interview
Buscemi directed and starred in the drama film Interview, a remake of a Dutch film of the same name.
2008: Igor Release
Steve Buscemi provided voice work for the animated film 'Igor'.
2009: Role in Youth in Revolt
Buscemi appeared in the coming-of-age comedy Youth in Revolt.
2009: The Messenger, Youth in Revolt, G-Force Release, and Saint John of Las Vegas Producing
Steve Buscemi appeared in the war drama 'The Messenger', the romantic comedy 'Youth in Revolt', and voiced a character in the animated film 'G-Force'. He also served as executive producer for the film 'Saint John of Las Vegas'.
2009: Directing on Nurse Jackie and 30 Rock
Steve Buscemi directed episodes for the Showtime series 'Nurse Jackie' and the NBC sitcom '30 Rock'.
2010: Grown Ups Release
Steve Buscemi acted alongside Adam Sandler in the comedy film 'Grown Ups'.
2011: Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for Boardwalk Empire
Buscemi's performance as Nucky Thompson in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama. He also won two Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
2011: Directing on Nurse Jackie and 30 Rock
Steve Buscemi continued directing episodes for the Showtime series 'Nurse Jackie' and the NBC sitcom '30 Rock'.
2011: Hosting Saturday Night Live and Golden Globe Win
Steve Buscemi hosted an episode of NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' and also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role in 'Boardwalk Empire'.
2012: Continued Success with Boardwalk Empire
Steve Buscemi continued to receive accolades for his role in Boardwalk Empire, winning two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
2012: Hotel Transylvania Release
Steve Buscemi provided voice work for the animated film 'Hotel Transylvania'.
2013: Role in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Buscemi appeared in the comedy The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.
2013: Final Appearance in 30 Rock
Buscemi made his final appearance as Lenny Wosniak on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock.
2013: Final Season of 30 Rock
Steve Buscemi appeared in the final season of the NBC sitcom '30 Rock' as Lenny Wosniak.
2013: Monsters University Release
Steve Buscemi reprised his role as Randall Boggs in the prequel 'Monsters University'.
2014: Directing Portlandia and Park Bench with Steve Buscemi
Steve Buscemi directed episodes of the IFC sketch series 'Portlandia' and his own web series 'Park Bench with Steve Buscemi'.
2014: Guest Appearances on Portlandia
Steve Buscemi started making guest appearances on the IFC sketch series 'Portlandia'.
2014: Honored by the New York City Fire Department
Steve Buscemi was named Honorary Battalion Chief by the New York City Fire Department, recognizing his past service as a firefighter and his contributions during the 9/11 attacks. Following 9/11, Buscemi volunteered with his former fire company, working 12-hour shifts for several days searching for survivors at the World Trade Center site.
2015: Directing Portlandia and Park Bench with Steve Buscemi
Steve Buscemi continued directing episodes of the IFC sketch series 'Portlandia' and his own web series 'Park Bench with Steve Buscemi'.
2015: Hotel Transylvania 2 and The Ridiculous 6 Release
Steve Buscemi acted alongside Adam Sandler in the animated film 'Hotel Transylvania 2' and the comedy film 'The Ridiculous 6'.
2016: Role in Horace and Pete
Buscemi starred in the web series Horace and Pete, created by Louis C.K.
2016: Primetime Emmy Award for Park Bench
Buscemi won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Variety Series for his work on Park Bench with Steve Buscemi.
2016: Guest Appearances on Inside Amy Schumer and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Steve Buscemi made guest appearances on the Comedy Central series 'Inside Amy Schumer' and the Netflix comedy series 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'.
2017: Final Guest Appearance on Portlandia and Guest Appearance on Broad City
Steve Buscemi made his final guest appearance on the IFC sketch series 'Portlandia' and also appeared on the Comedy Central comedy series 'Broad City'.
2018: Release of BlacKkKlansman
BlacKkKlansman, a film starring Steve Buscemi's brother Michael Buscemi, was released.
2019: Role in The Dead Don't Die
Buscemi appeared in the comedy horror film The Dead Don't Die, directed by Jim Jarmusch.
2019: Premiere of Miracle Workers
The TBS anthology comedy series Miracle Workers premiered, starring Steve Buscemi.
2020: Role in Hubie Halloween
Buscemi appeared in the Adam Sandler comedy horror film Hubie Halloween.
2023: Latest Season of Miracle Workers
The most recent season of the anthology series Miracle Workers aired on TBS.