# The BEST Steve Buscemi Role **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 27, 2010, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656 "2010-08-27T12:03:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/1 "2010-08-27T12:03:10Z")
Using [Filmography by rating for Steve Buscemi](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000114/filmorate) as a source, and trimming away the episode appearances on various TV shows (The Sopranos was a season’s worth) here are the top roles for the versatile Steve Buscemi. His upcoming lead in the new series [“Boardwalk Empire” (2009)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0979432/) which will premiere on HBO 19 September 2010 makes this a timely poll. Vote for up to 3. (9.02) - The Sopranos (8.90) - Pulp Fiction (1994) (8.40) - Reservoir Dogs (1992) (8.30) - Fargo (1996) (8.20) - The Big Lebowski (1998) (8.10) - Big Fish (2003) (8.00) - Monsters, Inc. (2001) (8.00) - Miller’s Crossing (1990) (7.86) - Parting Glances (1986) (7.70) - Ghost World (2001) (7.70) - Barton Fink (1991) (7.54) - Handsome Harry (2009) (7.50) - Paris, je t’aime (2006) (7.40) - The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) (7.40) - The Messenger (2009/I) (7.30) - Living in Oblivion (1995) (7.30) - Mystery Train (1989) (7.27) - John Rabe (2009) (7.19) - The Laramie Project (2002) (7.19) - The Grey Zone (2001) (7.07) - Coffee and Cigarettes II (1989) (7.00) - Trees Lounge (1996) (7.00) - Desperado (1995) ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/2 "2010-08-27T12:18:08Z")
From what I’ve seen, I think Fargo is definitely the best he’s done. Very memorable, well acted. It somehow catches both his awkwardness and bad ass-ness at the same time. As for the Sopranos, I’d rather nominate him for the episode he directed, “Pine Barrens”. You know, the one with the Paulie and Christopher stuck in a snowy forest with a crazy russian. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/3 "2010-08-27T12:20:20Z")
> [@cactus\_waltz](#): > > From what I’ve seen, I think Fargo is definitely the best he’s done. Very memorable, well acted. It somehow catches both his awkwardness and bad ass-ness at the same time. > > As for the Sopranos, I’d rather nominate him for the episode he directed, “Pine Barrens”. You know, the one with the Paulie and Christopher stuck in a snowy forest with a crazy russian. No argument here on “Pine Barrens” as one of the best Sopranos episodes. Well written, too. ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/4 "2010-08-27T12:26:49Z")
I voted for Ghost World because he played a character very recognizable to me, yet of a sort rarely seen in cinema. His reaction to being taken out to see “Blueshammer” was so funny, yet so painful to watch. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/5 "2010-08-27T12:47:57Z")
He doesn’t get enough credit for his fine role in Escape From LA ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/6 "2010-08-27T12:51:56Z")
Someone remind me what his role was in Pulp Fiction. I saw that movie a couple of times, but before I really knew who Steve B was and I don’t remember him in it now. ---
**Author:** ![Rattlehead02](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rattlehead02/32/3944_2.png) [@Rattlehead02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rattlehead02)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/7 "2010-08-27T12:52:31Z")
Can someone remind me what his role was in Hudsucker? I’ve seen it several times but can’t place him in it. ---
**Author:** ![Rattlehead02](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rattlehead02/32/3944_2.png) [@Rattlehead02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rattlehead02)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/8 "2010-08-27T12:53:40Z")
Ha! Skammer and I think alike. I also don’t recall his Pulp Fiction role. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/9 "2010-08-27T12:54:30Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Someone remind me what his role was in Pulp Fiction. I saw that movie a couple of times, but before I really knew who Steve B was and I don’t remember him in it now. Good catch! Those ratings lists are based on the movie and not on the actor or the role. In PF, when Travolta and Uma go to the Jackrabbit Slim’s thing, Buscemi is their waiter in somebody’s get-up. Buddy Holly maybe? Not James Dean. Who else? He had maybe 11 words! On screen maybe 30 seconds. ETA: Just seeing your posts, **GildedLily**. No clues on Hudsucker. Hated that film. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/10 "2010-08-27T12:57:01Z")
I don’t think I remember him in any of his roles. They all blur into a general Steve Buscemi whole. While always great, I don’t think there’s a lot of difference from one performance to another. When he’s on screen, it’s Steve Buscemi on screen, not a character from a screenplay. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/11 "2010-08-27T13:24:07Z")
Where the hell is the “Con air” option? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/12 "2010-08-27T13:37:09Z")
I don’t see Armaggedon either. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/13 "2010-08-27T13:37:51Z")
I’ve never even heard of most of those movies. But like most Americans, it didn’t stop me from voting. My write-in vote is _28 Days_. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/14 "2010-08-27T13:47:40Z")
> [@GildedLily](#): > > Can someone remind me what his role was in Hudsucker? I’ve seen it several times but can’t place him in it. IMDb lists him as “Beatnik Barman.” But I could have sworn he was a Weegee-type news photographer. PS - best roles, hands down \*Fargo \*and _Reservoir Dogs_. ---
**Author:** ![Minnie\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/15 "2010-08-27T13:49:31Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Where the hell is the “Con air” option? Another vote for “Con Air” ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/16 "2010-08-27T13:50:10Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Where the hell is the “Con air” option? Echoing this. He was the best part of that movie! Singing “Jesus loves me this I know …” as the plane is going to crash. ---
**Author:** ![limegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/82dd89/32.png) [@limegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/limegreen)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/17 "2010-08-27T15:38:19Z")
_Another_ vote for Con Air. That tea party with the weird little girl? Priceless. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/18 "2010-08-27T16:16:27Z")
I’m suspecting I’ll be the only one to vote for _Trees Lounge_, but it’s a nervy and sly performance, and his best turn in a lead role. ---
**Author:** ![Greenback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/2bfe46/32.png) [@Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/19 "2010-08-27T16:20:03Z")
another vote for Con Air. He comes back from the tea party like nothing happened, except for the massive blood stains on his clothes. I’m pretty sure he sang “He’s got the whole world…in his hands” while the plane was crashing. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656/20 "2010-08-27T16:33:47Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > I’m suspecting I’ll be the only one to vote for _Trees Lounge_, but it’s a nervy and sly performance, and his best turn in a lead role. Trees Lounge was a great performance, and I think I missed it because I’d already voted for 3 before I got to it. But you’re right, and I think I, like most people, voted based on the greatness of the movie rather than the greatness of the role. I think he should have received a Supporting Actor nom for Ghost World, as well. ETA: I also loved that in Miller’s Crossing, his role was pretty miniscule and yet so essential to the plot. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-steve-buscemi-role/551656.md?page=2)