Being a Pursuitist is about finding and sharing the best things in life. While it’s very easy to pick the current stars of TV and film, and write about how we love this or that person, we like to find those actors that are off the beaten path a bit. Men and women who, when we see them in a movie, we nod because we know, no matter how good or bad the film is, it’s a little better with that person’s presence.
Our focus today is on one of the screen’s best character actors – Steve Buscemi.
Buscemi, who was a NYC firefighter in the early 80s, has been making film and TV appearances for about 25 years. His small stature, rapid fire vocal skills and not-so-normal look has led him to be frequently cast as the psycho or geek.
Buscemi first grabbed attention with small roles in the Coen Brothers films (Barton Fink, Miller’s Crossing), but really came to the forefront with his scene stealing Mr. Pink in Quentin Tarantino’s debut film, Reservoir Dogs.
Since then, Buscemi has worked regularly in film, with occasional TV appearances. He has also provided voices for half-a-dozen animated features (Monster House, Monsters, Inc.), plus directed three feature films and a dozen or so television episodes.
But the great thing about Steve Buscemi is when he’s on screen. When he’s conniving, when he’s scheming, when he’s trying to weasel his way out of trouble. That’s what people love about Buscemi. And even when he’s not playing the crazy guy – he’s simply a great addition to any project. To see him at this best, we recommend Reservoir Dogs, Ghost World and Fargo. His Fargo character, Carl Showalter, meets one of film’s most grisly (and hilarious) endings.
We also appreciate how Buscemi has spread himself around – working as a writer and director. He’s never gone ‘Hollywood’, and continues to do big and small projects – whatever interests him.
As we said at the start of this article, when you see Steve Buscemi in a film, you smile and nod. Because you know it’s better.