Actor Steve Buscemi Protests Cutbacks on Fire Stations

Internet Movie Database ^ | 04/22/03

[Drew68]

Fargo star Steve Buscemi has spoken out against proposals to close many of New York City's fire stations.

Before becoming a Hollywood actor, Buscemi was a New York City firefighter from 1980 to 1984 - and he continues to be a vocal and high-profile supporter. And he joined about 50 demonstrators on Saturday to protest a cost- cutting proposal to close eight firehouses.

Referring to the 343 firefighters killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks, he says, "I think it's a slap in the face, after all that they've done and all that they continue to do. They're just starting to come back. This is just terrible - a terrible message to firefighters because they want to save $10 million or $11 million a year."

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, seeking to close a $3.4 billion budget deficit, has proposed eliminating eight firehouses and said last week at least 30 more may have to be closed if the city does not receive state or federal financial assistance.

[Drew68]

Buscemi is a good guy.

[zlala]

Always nice to see a Hollywood type take a stand on something decent.

[Fixit]

Also from IMDB:

[Buscemi] showed up at his old firehouse the day after the World Trade Center tragedy in New York to volunteer. Worked twelve hour shifts for a week after the terrorist act, digging through rubble with his old comrades looking for missing firefighters... anonymously. [September 2001]

[Archangelsk]

Everytime Buscemi is on screen he commands it. From "Resevoir Dogs" to "Fargo" to "The Big Lebowski" his presence makes the film enjoyable.

He is also a good man and he must have some muscles hidden somewhere on the skinny frame of his if he was a fire fighter.

[Drew68]

Everytime Buscemi is on screen he commands it.

The Adam Sandler film, "The Wedding Singer" was never funnier than during the first ten minutes with Buscemi playing the groom's drunken brother.

[Bogey78O]

Ole Crazy eyes is a great actor. He possesses that same rare kernel that is found in other great actors like Christopher Walken.

Glad to hear he's a decent guy in real life.

[Archangelsk]

Reservoir vice Resevoir

[Carthago delenda est]

Ditto.

[Drew68]

Worked twelve hour shifts for a week after the terrorist act, digging through rubble with his old comrades looking for missing firefighters... anonymously.

I remember reading about this after it happened. IIRC, the account was later confirmed in several magazines. There was even a FR thread about it:

Actor and Former NYC Firefighter Steve Buscemi Rumoured to be Digging Out Rubble at WTC Site

Has Buscemi ever spoken in public about this?

[Archangelsk]

Yeah, they scare the crap out of everyone. :-)

[Bogey78O]

All the way from being the recipient of "Donnie, STFU" to "Why do I have to be Mr. Pink?", he's never failed to entertain me.

I'll buy almost any movie he's in.

[Archangelsk]

Has Buscemi ever spoken in public about this?

Not that I know of, but real heroes rarely, if ever, talk about their actions.

[shadowman99]

He dug out his coat and boots and went down to ground zero after Sept. 11th. You'll never see pictures of it because he didn't do it as a photo op. He mentioned it in passing in an interview I saw later.

[Archangelsk]

"Why do I have to be Mr. Pink?"

"Cause you're a .......!"

[Bogey78O]

An interesting fact is he's the only guy we never learned his real name in that movie. He's also well...I won't spoil the ending but it's obvious his fate.

[Bogey78O]

PS: I like the tagline. Didn't catch it at first.

[Archangelsk]

Blue and Brown were also anonymous, but they (Tarantino and Bunker) had such small roles that it didn't matter.

[Bogey78O]

Yea...I consider them really just cameos since they were in only one scene. With the exception of a few seconds for Tarantino.

[Drew68]

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, seeking to close a $3.4 billion budget deficit, has proposed eliminating eight firehouses and said last week at least 30 more may have to be closed if the city does not receive state or federal financial assistance.

Pardon me responding to my own post but WTF here!?!?!

Didn't those $7.50 packs of cigarettes do anything to help the budget shortfall?

Wouldn't closing firehouses in FREAKING NEW YORK CITY OF ALL PLACES be a little shortsighted!!! Not to mention sacreligious?!?!?!

Bloomberg must be an idiot.

[Archangelsk]

Ah, but what a scene. Too bad this thread would be pulled if we posted the dialogue here.