Captivating Close-Up: Steve Buscemi

Steven Vincent "Steve" Buscemi (pronounced /bʊˈʃɛmi/ boo-SHEM-ee; born December 13, 1957) is an American actor, writer and film director.

Buscemi's most notable character roles include Mr. Pink in Reservoir Dogs, Garland Greene in Con Air, Rockhound in Armageddon, Donny in The Big Lebowski and Carl Showalter in Fargo. Although usually a supporting actor, he has had critical success as a lead actor, particularly in his role as Seymour in Ghost World. Buscemi often plays characters that are neurotic and paranoid. He has appeared in a number of films by the Coen Brothers, in which he tends to die in a grisly, prolonged or unexpected manner.

He frequently provides comic relief in Adam Sandler films such as Billy Madison, The Wedding Singer, Big Daddy and Mr. Deeds. Buscemi also starred with Sandler (as brothers) in Airheads alongside with Brendan Fraser.

Buscemi has worked extensively as a writer-director since making his debut feature during the 1990s. His directional credits include:

Trees Lounge (1996)
Animal Factory (2000)
Lonesome Jim (2005)
Interview (2007)

The day after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Buscemi went to his old firehouse to volunteer for recovery work at Ground Zero. That week, he worked 12 hour shifts digging through the rubble, while refusing to do interviews or have his picture taken.

Source: Wikipedia