- Says acting on the HBO drama The Sopranos is surreal. (March 13, 2004)
- Has been arrested during a protest over the closure of a New York fire station -- The star, who worked as a firefighter from 1980 to 1984, calls the closures irresponsible and dangerous, adding, This is compromising the safety of all the communities where the firehouses are closing. (May 28, 2003)
- Joined about 50 demonstrators on Saturday to protest a cost-cutting proposal to close New York City's eight firehouses. (April 23, 2003)
- Was a New York City firefighter from 1980 to 1984 before he made it in Hollywood and continues to be a vocal and high-profile supporter.
- In MONSTER, INC. (2001), the slow-motion scene in which the scarers enter the scare floor parodies the arrival of the astronauts in THE RIGHT STUFF (1983) which was itself pastiched in ARMAGEDDON (1998) where he played one of the pilots.
- As Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi), he professes his dislike of automatically tipping waiting staff in RESERVOIR DOGS (1992). Buscemi has a cameo appearance as a waiter in PULP FICTION (1994).
- He once was an actual ice cream truck driver on the streets where his character in TREES LOUNGE (1996) is shown driving such a truck.
- Studied acting under John Strasberg.
- Often cast by the Cohen brothers.
- His last name is pronounced Buss-ehm-ee.
- The day after the World Trade Center tragedy, Steve returned to his old firehouse to volunteer. He worked 12 hours shifts for a week in the rubble looking for old comrades. He did the completely anonymously.
- Nickname: Busc
- Ranked #52 in Empire (UK) magazine's The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time list. (October 1997)
- Frequently appears in unbilled roles in Adam Sandler movies.
- Is of Italian descent.
- 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.
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture at Golden Globe Awards for GHOST WORLD (2002)
- Nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series at Emmy Awards for The Sopranos (2001) - for episode Pine Barrens
- Nominated for Best On-Screen Duo at MTV Movie Awards for FARGO (1997) - shared with Peter Stormare
Quotes- "I guess I sometimes get frustrated about having played too many seedy, ratty guys. But, I'm working."
- "My favorite review described me as the cinematic equivalent of junk mail. I don't know what that means, but it sounds like a dig."
Awards- Gotham Awards from the Independent Film Project (2003)
- Chicago Film Critics Association Awards: Best Supporting Actor, GHOST WORLD (2002)
- Independent Spirit Awards: Best Supporting Male, GHOST WORLD (2002)
- Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Supporting Actor, GHOST WORLD (2002)
- Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards: Best Supporting Actor, GHOST WORLD (2002)
- National Society of Film Critics Awards: Best Supporting Actor, GHOST WORLD (2002)
- Online Film Critics Society Awards: Best Supporting Actor, GHOST WORLD (2002)
- Vancouver Film Critics Circle: Best Actor, GHOST WORLD (2002)
- New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Supporting Actor, GHOST WORLD (2001)
- San Diego Film Critics Society Awards: Special Award - Body of Work (2001)
- Florida Film Festival: Special Achievement Award (1998)
- Sant Jordi Awards: Best Foreign Actor, FARGO (1997)
- Independent Spirit Award: Best Supporting Actor, RESERVOIR DOGS (1992)
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