A biography for Steve Buscemihasn’t been written yet.
“I didn't really like the aloneness of doing stand-up. The comedians by nature weren't very - I mean, they were sociable, but they hung out in cliques, and it's very hard to get accepted; lots of competition.”
“When I was in pre-production for Trees Lounge, I was hearing the cinematographer talking with the production designer about colours and this and that, and feeling like I was losing control.”
“Bob Altman had this relaxed but serious attitude. Everybody loved him. I wanted him to adopt me.”
“I just like playing interesting, complex, complicated characters. I like films that also have an element of humor.”
“I didn't really like the aloneness of doing stand-up.”
“When I get cast, I always flip to the end of the script to see if my character gets beaten up or killed.”
“There's a certain type of character that you can't help but come in contact with growing up and living in Brooklyn and Long Island. A certain mixture of moxie, heart, and a wise guy sense of humor.”
“I could never have imagined the films I've done and the people I've worked with when I was starting out; I certainly did not have a career path.”
“Directing television is really hard - it's so fast. You shoot an hour show in seven days.”
“It's great working with Steve Carell and Jim Carrey. Those guys are really funny.”
“I was very surprised that for a while I could only get cast as straight. It was that way for a few years.”
“My dad had a temper. I have a temper. Most people I know have a temper. And I think it comes out mostly with your family. I don't think it's unique to the Buscemis, but it's something I've been able to tap into when I play certain roles.”
“Every day's an adventure when I step out of my door. That's why I usually wear a hat and keep my head low.”
“I love working with Scorsese. He's not only a brilliant director and is great working with actors, but he's also a walking human film encyclopedia. It's fun to talk about movies with him.”
“I like telling stories about people with problems. I can't really put it much simpler than that.”
“Communication is the key, and it's one thing I had to learn-to talk to the actors. I was so involved with the visual and technical aspects that I would forget about the actors.”
“The director I had most involvement with was Alex Rockwell. He gave me a lot of responsibility as an actor.”
“Character actors just pile up the credits because you work on a movie for, like, a few days. It's not like I'm the lead in everything I do - far from it. I'm not spending three or four months on a picture; I'm spending three or four weeks. Sometimes three or four days.”
“When I was doing stand-up, I was about twenty, and I really think that that's a little too young. I didn't have a whole lot of life experience to draw on.”
“All the roles I play, I don't see any of my roles in films that they're typically leading men.”