Steve Buscemi’s Best Roles

Steve Buscemi is one of the most distinctive and prolific character actors of his generation. With his unique voice and expressive eyes, he has brought to life an unforgettable gallery of outsiders, criminals, and lovable weirdos. Before his acting career took off in the New York independent film scene of the 1980s, he worked as a firefighter, a fact that adds another layer to his incredible life story. His ability to be both hilarious and heartbreaking has made him a sought-after talent for decades.

Over his extensive career, Buscemi has proven to be remarkably versatile, capable of playing anything from a fast-talking gangster to a sympathetic loner or a comedic foil. He is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with acclaimed directors like the Coen brothers and Quentin Tarantino, where he consistently delivers memorable and scene-stealing performances. Whether he is in a leading role or a brief cameo, Buscemi always leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)

In the acclaimed series ‘The Sopranos’, Buscemi joined the cast in its fifth season to play Tony Blundetto, the cousin of Tony Soprano. Fresh out of prison, Tony B tries to go straight but finds himself pulled back into the world of organized crime, leading to a tragic and violent conflict between the New Jersey and New York families.

Beyond his significant on-screen role, Buscemi also established himself as a key director for the series. He directed four episodes in total, including the fan-favorite and critically lauded season six episode “Pine Barrens.” This episode is famous for its dark humor and for stranding two of the main characters in the frozen woods of South Jersey.

‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)

Buscemi has a very brief but highly memorable cameo in the classic film ‘Pulp Fiction’. He appears in the opening sequence at Jack Rabbit Slim’s, the 1950s-themed restaurant. He plays a waiter dressed as Buddy Holly who takes Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega’s order, though he is less than enthusiastic about his job.

His appearance is notable because it fuels a popular fan theory that connects the worlds of director Quentin Tarantino’s films. Many fans believe that his waiter character is actually his ‘Reservoir Dogs’ character, Mr. Pink, living a low-key life after escaping the heist from that film. The theory suggests he has given up his anti-tipping stance to survive.

‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010–2014)

In the Prohibition-era drama ‘Boardwalk Empire’, Buscemi took on the lead role of Enoch “Nucky” Thompson. Nucky is the treasurer of Atlantic County, who uses his political position to run a massive bootlegging and racketeering operation in Atlantic City. The series charts his evolution from a corrupt politician to a ruthless and powerful gangster.

The role of Nucky Thompson was a showcase for Buscemi’s talents as a leading man, allowing him to portray a character’s complex journey over five seasons. He masterfully conveyed Nucky’s ambition, intelligence, and deep-seated loneliness. For his performance, he won a Golden Globe Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series.

‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992)

In his first role for Quentin Tarantino, Buscemi created an iconic character with Mr. Pink in ‘Reservoir Dogs’. He is one of the criminals involved in a diamond heist that goes terribly wrong. Mr. Pink is a pragmatic, paranoid, and professional thief who is famous for his passionate rant against tipping waitresses in the film’s opening scene.

His performance established him as a master of fast-talking, neurotic dialogue and helped make the film a cultural phenomenon. Mr. Pink is the only one of the main criminals whose fate is left ambiguous, leading to years of fan speculation about whether he successfully escaped with the diamonds. The role remains one of his most celebrated and recognizable.

‘Fargo’ (1996)

Buscemi delivered another unforgettable performance for the Coen brothers as Carl Showalter in the dark comedy ‘Fargo’. Carl is one of two small-time criminals hired by a desperate car salesman to kidnap his own wife for a ransom. Carl is the more talkative, arrogant, and ultimately inept member of the duo.

His character is responsible for much of the film’s morbid humor, from his constant complaints to his ill-fated attempt to bury the ransom money in the snow. His dynamic with his silent and menacing partner, played by Peter Stormare, is a highlight of the movie. Carl’s story comes to a gruesome and iconic end involving a wood chipper.

‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998)

In another classic Coen brothers film, Buscemi plays Theodore Donald “Donny” Kerabatsos. Donny is the third member of the bowling team, alongside The Dude and Walter Sobchak. He is a sweet, gentle, and often confused bowler who is frequently and aggressively told to “shut up” by his friend Walter.

Despite his limited dialogue, Donny is the innocent heart of the trio, a passive observer who just wants to bowl. His character’s ultimate fate provides the film with a surprising and hilarious emotional climax. The running gag of Walter’s frustration with Donny has become one of the most quoted elements of the beloved cult film.

‘Monsters, Inc.’ (2001)

Buscemi provided his distinctive voice to the villainous Randall Boggs in the animated film ‘Monsters, Inc.’ Randall is a sneaky, multi-legged, chameleon-like monster who is the main professional rival of the company’s top scarer, Sulley. He is ruthlessly determined to take the top spot by any means necessary.

His voice work perfectly captured the character’s slimy and jealous nature, making Randall a memorable and hissable villain for all ages. The role demonstrated Buscemi’s versatility and his ability to create a compelling character using only his voice. He would later reprise the role in the prequel film ‘Monsters University’.

‘Barton Fink’ (1991)

In his second collaboration with the Coen brothers, Buscemi plays Chet, the overly enthusiastic and helpful bellboy at the strange and surreal Hotel Earle. He befriends the titular character, a struggling playwright who has come to Hollywood to write a movie. Chet seems to be the only friendly face in the otherwise unsettling hotel.

Chet’s cheerful demeanor and eagerness to please stand in stark contrast to the film’s increasingly menacing atmosphere. Though a supporting character, his presence is key to the film’s mysterious and ambiguous tone. His performance adds another layer of quirky humanity to the Coens’ strange and symbolic world.

‘Miller’s Crossing’ (1990)

Buscemi’s first role in a Coen brothers film was as Mink in the stylish gangster movie ‘Miller’s Crossing’. Mink is a bookie who is romantically involved with a key character and whose actions inadvertently escalate a war between two rival crime families. His scheming and double-crossing are central to the film’s complicated plot.

Although he appears in only a few scenes, his character’s story is a crucial piece of the intricate puzzle that the protagonist must solve. Buscemi’s fast-talking, nervous energy made him a natural fit for the Coens’ world of witty and verbose criminals, beginning a long and fruitful creative partnership.

‘Living in Oblivion’ (1995)

In the independent comedy ‘Living in Oblivion’, Buscemi stars as Nick Reve, a passionate but highly stressed director trying to make a low-budget film. The movie is a satire of the filmmaking process, structured in three parts, each depicting a disastrous attempt to get a single scene right.

The film is a love letter to the struggles and absurdities of independent cinema. Buscemi’s character must deal with sensitive actors, a diva leading man, technical malfunctions, and surreal dream sequences. His performance as the beleaguered director trying to hold his vision together is both hilarious and deeply relatable for anyone who has worked on a creative project.

‘Ghost World’ (2001)

Buscemi gave one of his most acclaimed and sensitive performances as Seymour in the indie classic ‘Ghost World’. Seymour is a lonely, middle-aged man who collects old records and feels completely out of step with modern society. He forms an unlikely and complicated friendship with a cynical teenage outcast named Enid.

The role was a departure from the high-energy and criminal characters he often played. Buscemi portrayed Seymour with a quiet and gentle melancholy that earned him widespread praise from critics. He received a Golden Globe nomination for his nuanced and heartbreaking performance as a fellow outsider who finds a brief but meaningful connection.

‘The Death of Stalin’ (2017)

In the sharp political satire ‘The Death of Stalin’, Buscemi plays Nikita Khrushchev, a member of Joseph Stalin’s inner circle. When the dictator suddenly dies, Khrushchev and his fellow ministers engage in a chaotic and ruthless power struggle to take control of the Soviet Union.

Buscemi portrays Khrushchev as a cunning, pragmatic, and surprisingly effective political survivor. He perfectly captures the dark, absurdist humor of the film, which is directed by Armando Iannucci. His performance was a standout in a talented ensemble cast, showcasing his ability to blend comedy with high-stakes historical drama.

‘Miracle Workers’ (2019–2023)

Buscemi stars in the comedy anthology series ‘Miracle Workers’, playing a different lead character in each season’s unique historical setting. In the first season, he plays God, who has become a lazy, disillusioned, and burnt-out CEO of Heaven Inc. and has decided to destroy the Earth out of boredom.

His comedic portrayal of a deity who would rather focus on his hobbies than answer prayers was a highlight of the series. In subsequent seasons, he has played characters ranging from a medieval peasant to a gunslinger in the Old West. The series allows him to fully embrace his comedic talents in a variety of absurd and charming scenarios.

‘Trees Lounge’ (1996)

Buscemi wrote, directed, and starred in the independent film ‘Trees Lounge’. He plays Tommy Basilio, an unemployed auto mechanic and aimless barfly who spends his days drinking at a local bar in a Long Island suburb. The film is a semi-autobiographical character study about a man adrift in his own life.

The film was a very personal project for Buscemi, who drew on his own past experiences and observations growing up. It was praised for its realistic characters and its compassionate portrayal of people struggling with alcoholism and regret. The movie demonstrated his talent as a filmmaker in addition to his well-established acting skills.

‘Con Air’ (1997)

In the high-octane action blockbuster ‘Con Air’, Buscemi plays Garland “The Marietta Mangler” Greene. He is a notorious and highly intelligent serial killer who is being transported on a prison plane filled with the “worst of the worst” criminals. When the other convicts hijack the plane, he becomes a strange and unsettling observer.

Despite being surrounded by physically imposing criminals, Buscemi’s quiet and creepy performance makes Garland the most frightening person on the plane. His soft-spoken delivery and disturbing anecdotes create a memorable and chilling character. His scene singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” is an iconic moment in 90s action cinema.

Let us know which Steve Buscemi character you find the most memorable in the comments.