Steve Buscemi: Biography, 9/11 Service, Net Worth & Family

You know that guy—the one with the bug eyes, the raspy voice, and the smile that looks like it was drawn by a cartoonist having a good day. Steve Buscemi has been showing up in our favorite movies for decades, but the story behind those unforgettable roles is wilder than most scripts, involving fighting fires, comforting a city in crisis, and losing a partner who was a visionary in her own right.

Born: December 13, 1957, Brooklyn, New York ·
Known for: Roles in Fargo, Reservoir Dogs, Boardwalk Empire ·
9/11 service: Returned to FDNY to work shifts at Ground Zero ·
Marital status: Widowed (wife Jo Andres died in 2019) ·
Notable direction: Directed episodes of The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire

What Happened to Steve Buscemi’s Wife?

Who was Jo Andres?

Jo Andres was a filmmaker, choreographer, and visual artist whose work often explored movement and experimental storytelling. She married Buscemi in 1987 (Deadline), and the couple had one son, Lucian, born in 1990 (People). Andres directed the short film Black Kites and was active in New York’s downtown arts scene. Those close to her described her as a quietly radical talent — the kind of artist who shaped her medium without chasing the spotlight.

Net worth estimate: Buscemi’s net worth is not dependent on Andres’s career, but her own work as a filmmaker was independently recognized. Obituaries in Deadline emphasized that Andres built a meaningful artistic career separate from her husband’s fame.

“Jo Andres was a visionary filmmaker and choreographer.” — New York Times obituary, 2019

The pattern: Buscemi’s personal life is defined by a long, stable marriage to a fellow artist, followed by a devastating loss that reshaped his private world. The trade-off of his fame is that this grief plays out in public view, even as he maintains a disciplined silence about it.

How did Jo Andres die?

Jo Andres died in January 2019 at age 64 after a battle with ovarian cancer (Deadline). Buscemi was by her side, and the news was met with an outpouring of grief from the film community. The couple had been married for 32 years. Buscemi has not publicly remarried or confirmed a new partner since her death, though he continues to honor her memory in interviews.

What Did Steve Buscemi Do During 9/11?

Was Steve Buscemi a firefighter?

Yes. Before acting became his full-time career, Buscemi spent four years as a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department, serving with FDNY Engine Company 55 in Manhattan from 1980 to 1984 (Fire Engineering). He was a professional firefighter before he ever stepped in front of a camera, a fact that surprises many fans who know him only as a character actor.

How did Buscemi help after 9/11?

In the days following the September 11 attacks, Buscemi returned to FDNY Engine 55 and worked 12-hour shifts alongside his former colleagues at Ground Zero (Fox News). He did not publicize it. In fact, his involvement was not widely known until years later, when someone at the scene recognized him and eventually shared the story.

“I just put on my gear and showed up.” — Steve Buscemi, Los Angeles Times

The catch: Buscemi’s 9/11 service is often the most-shared story about him on social media, precisely because he never tried to claim credit for it. That restraint — doing the work, skipping the press — is the same instinct that made him a credible firefighter in the first place.

The implication: Buscemi’s humility in that moment defines his character more than any role he has played.

Why Are Steve Buscemi’s Teeth So Famous?

Are his teeth natural?

Yes, Buscemi’s teeth are entirely natural, and he has never had cosmetic dental work to alter them (Vanity Fair). His smile is uneven, slightly crooked, and irregularly spaced — the opposite of the gleaming Hollywood norm. That distinctiveness has become a signature part of his appearance, and directors have often leaned into it by casting him as characters who look like they’ve been through something.

What do dentists say about his smile?

Dental professionals frequently note that Buscemi’s smile is an example of natural variation that most people would have corrected, but which makes his face instantly recognizable. In a 2020 roundup of “famous smiles” published by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Buscemi was cited alongside figures like Madonna as someone whose distinctive teeth are part of their brand (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry). The lesson: not every Hollywood feature needs to be perfected.

The implication: In an industry that spends millions on veneers and orthodontics, Buscemi’s refusal to “fix” his smile is a small act of defiance. It signals that character — not polish — is what gets you hired.

Is Steve Buscemi Irish or Catholic?

What is Steve Buscemi’s ethnicity?

Buscemi’s father was of Italian descent, while his mother was of Irish and Dutch ancestry (EthnicCelebs). The name “Buscemi” itself is Sicilian, originating from the town of Buscemi in the province of Ragusa. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, in a working-class neighborhood that shaped much of his on-screen persona.

What is Steve Buscemi’s religion?

Despite a name that might suggest an Italian Catholic background, Buscemi has stated publicly that he is not religious. In a 2011 interview with The Guardian, he described himself as “not much of a joiner” when it comes to faith and said he was not raised Catholic. He has occasionally referenced a spiritual side but has consistently avoided labeling himself with any organized religion.

The trade-off: Buscemi’s mixed ethnic background and non-religious stance make him hard to pigeonhole, which is exactly why he gets cast so broadly. He can play Italian, Irish, or just “generic New Yorker” without breaking the illusion.

Who Is Steve Buscemi’s Partner?

Is Steve Buscemi dating anyone?

As of 2025, Steve Buscemi has not publicly confirmed that he is in a new relationship. Following Jo Andres’s death in 2019, he has kept his personal life private, and no new partner has been reported by major entertainment outlets. Given his history of keeping family matters out of the tabloids, it’s possible he is seeing someone quietly — but there is no confirmed evidence.

How many children does Steve Buscemi have?

Buscemi has one son, Lucian Buscemi, born in 1990 (Yahoo Entertainment). Lucian has appeared in a few of his father’s projects, including a small role in Boardwalk Empire, but has mostly stayed out of the public eye. Buscemi has described fatherhood as grounding, and has said that raising a child in New York kept him connected to the city even as his career took off.

The pattern: Buscemi builds a wall around his private life. The confirmed facts are few: one wife, one son, one long marriage. Everything else is speculation.

What Is Steve Buscemi’s Net Worth?

How much did Steve Buscemi earn per movie?

Buscemi’s net worth is commonly estimated at around $35 million as of 2025 (FanBolt). That estimate is based on his long career across film and television, plus income from directing and producing. A significant chunk came from his starring role on Boardwalk Empire, where he reportedly earned a base salary of $900,000 per episode (TheRichest).

What are his biggest financial successes?

Buscemi’s highest-grossing films include Monsters, Inc. ($579 million worldwide), Hotel Transylvania ($358 million), and The Big Lebowski ($47 million on a $15 million budget). He has never been a traditional box-office draw as a lead, but his supporting roles have appeared in films that earned over $2 billion collectively. His directing work, including episodes of The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, also contributed to his income.

The catch: Net worth estimates for character actors are notoriously unreliable. Buscemi doesn’t flaunt wealth, and his lifestyle doesn’t match the $35 million figure in obvious ways — which makes some financial sites peg him lower, around $25-30 million.

What Are the Best Steve Buscemi Movies and TV Shows?

Steve Buscemi movies ranked

Buscemi’s filmography spans over 100 projects, but a handful define his legacy. Reservoir Dogs (1992) was his breakthrough — Mr. Pink, the only man in the room who understood the situation. Fargo (1996) earned him his first major critical praise as the well-meaning but bumbling kidnapper Carl Showalter. The Big Lebowski (1998) gave him one of his most quotable roles as Donny, the eternal third wheel. Ghost World (2001) proved he could carry a dramatic lead. Big Fish (2003) showed his tender side.

Steve Buscemi TV shows

Buscemi’s television work is equally stacked. He earned an Emmy nomination for Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014), where he played corrupt political boss Nucky Thompson. He directed episodes of The Sopranos, Oz, and Nurse Jackie. He had a recurring role on 30 Rock as the oddball private eye Lenny Wosniak.

“He can play anything from a loser to a king.” — Coen brothers, IndieWire

• Film must-sees: Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Ghost World, Big Fish, Miller’s Crossing, Con Air
• TV must-sees: Boardwalk Empire, The Sopranos (guest), 30 Rock (recurring), Portlandia (guest)

The implication: Buscemi’s range is genuinely unusual. He can be menacing (Reservoir Dogs), comedic (30 Rock), vulnerable (Ghost World), and authoritative (Boardwalk Empire) — sometimes in the same year.

Timeline of Steve Buscemi’s Life

Seven decades, three identities: firefighter, actor, director. Here’s how they connect.

A recently published biography of Steve Buscemi offers a comprehensive overview of his life and career.

Frequently asked questions