"Steve Buscemi"

Summary

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SmartLess: "Steve Buscemi"

Hosts: Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett
Guest: Steve Buscemi
Release Date: September 1, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this richly candid and often hilarious episode of "SmartLess," the mystery guest revealed by Will Arnett is none other than Steve Buscemi—the iconic character actor known for his singular screen presence in films like "Reservoir Dogs," "Fargo," "The Big Lebowski," and shows like "Boardwalk Empire." The discussion dives into Steve's blue-collar roots, his unexpected path to stardom, memorable collaborations, and his experiences both in front of and behind the camera. Steve opens up about firefighting, improvised lines, the unpredictability of a Hollywood career, and what still excites him about the craft. The tone is intimate, self-deprecating, and warm—a tribute to Buscemi's humility and prolific artistry.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introductions, Time Zones, and Early Banter

• The hosts banter about their daily routines and time zones (LA, New York, London), before Will teases the reveal of the mystery guest. (02:54–07:07)
• Will finally introduces Steve Buscemi, launching into his legendary career, peppered with the usual SmartLess ribbing (08:01–09:10).

Will Arnett: "Our guest today has built a career out of portraying some of the most unique and unforgettable characters in recent cinema..." (06:55)

2. Voiceover Work and Animated Roles

• Quick run-through of Steve’s voice acting work, with laughs about animated films "Monsters University," "Igor," and the impressive casts therein. (08:11–09:10)

Steve Buscemi: "What about Igor?"
Sean Hayes: "One of the greatest voiceover artists—next to Will Arnett." (08:07)

3. Where’s Steve Now?

• Steve joins from a "beautiful orange room" at the Netflix building in New York, gearing up for "Wednesday" Season 2 (playing the new principal of Nevermore Academy). (09:26–10:16)

4. Early Life: Growing Up & The Firefighter Years

• Steve shares about growing up in Brooklyn, soaking in early pop-culture influences (Three Stooges, Little Rascals, gangster movies). The conversation pivots to his unique duality as an aspiring actor/comedian and a young firefighter. (10:41–13:41)

Steve Buscemi: "I was a firefighter in the early 80s...but I had been trying to be an actor, and actually I tried my hand at stand up." (11:48)

• Emotional recounting of returning to his old firehouse post-9/11 to help with the search efforts. (12:43–14:25)

Steve Buscemi: "On the 12th, I went there and brought my turnout gear...I was able to find my company there, because they had lost members. They had access to the main pile that was still burning." (13:10)

5. Supportive Family, Early Performances, and Influences

• Steve describes his parents’ influence—mom took him to see musicals and comedies, dad worked for sanitation and pushed for stable civil service jobs. (15:16–18:17)
• Early acting adventures included a formative role as the Cowardly Lion in 4th grade, and later, high school theater after a stint as a self-described "jock." (16:09–18:31)
• A family friend (Uncle Pete) had a brief acting career, fueling Steve’s Hollywood dreams.

6. Journey to LA and Breaking into Acting

• Frequenting LA for auditions, relying on actor friends for meeting intros (not always well-received by casting directors). Steve discusses his initial lack of training and learning by doing. (19:00–21:22)

Steve Buscemi: "I had no idea what I was doing, really... The feedback was—he’s so deadpan, he doesn’t seem like he wants to be here..." (20:37)

7. Breakthrough: Reservoir Dogs and Quentin Tarantino

• Steve details being cast as Mr. Pink in "Reservoir Dogs," meeting Tarantino (whose youthful enthusiasm surprised him), and how an old Neil Simon audition tape clinched the role. (24:42–27:34)

Steve Buscemi: "The first time I met Quentin was on the phone... I thought I was going to be talking to an ex-convict in his 50s and instead it was like, 'Hey man, thanks for reading my script!'" (26:31)

• He credits the film (particularly the famous credit sequence) for finally making his face recognizable in Hollywood. (29:39)

8. Defining a Career Without a “Signature”

• Steve shares that despite a recognizable style, he’s embraced a wide array of roles (from Coen Brothers to Adam Sandler films), never knowing how audiences will recognize him. (30:14–31:20)
• Deciding on projects is a case-by-case mix of material, people, and sometimes the chance to support new filmmakers. (30:52–33:13)

Steve Buscemi: "Sometimes it's just such a wonderful script... and I love doing that type of work." (31:07)

9. Directing & Set Experience

• Buscemi talks about his evolution as an actor respectful of directorial vision, versus offering input when things feel off. (33:22–35:56)
• As a director, he’s more empathetic to the chaos directors wrangle, and candid about his insecurity with technical aspects (lenses, camera setups)—often “punting” those decisions to his DP. (38:26–39:27)

Steve Buscemi: "In theory, [directing] makes me the most anxious... I don't really know what I'm doing. I don't know about camera stuff." (38:26)

10. Working with New Directors, Boardwalk Empire, and Set Realities

• He reflects on indulging young directors' learning curves, his patience, and subtle perks of being the pro on set—like showing up late when called too early. (37:23–38:17)

11. Genre Hopes, Deaths on Screen, and Defining Roles

• Steve hasn’t really done horror due to squeamishness, but is known for “grounding violence” in his artsy-thuggish roles. (39:52–41:46)
• He shares his favorite on-screen death (Donny, “The Big Lebowski”: “just literally being scared to death”). (48:08)

Steve Buscemi: "[In Lebowski] it made no sense. When I read the script, I thought—'I think I'm going to make it through this one.'" (48:13)

• He reveals his fondness for improvising—most notably, his character’s "No nukes!" moment in "Armageddon" was off-script. (48:58)

12. Pride, Prolific Career, and Gratitude

• Despite never doing giant "popcorn" franchises (Marvel, etc.), Steve is proud of what he’s accomplished and grateful for his diverse body of work. (46:45–47:52)
• Recalled by the hosts as "actor and director catnip" with a well-earned spot in Hollywood’s creative pantheon.

13. Theater Roots, Life Outside Acting, and Current Projects

• Steve reminisces about performing in New York's Village scene in the '80s, sketch writing with Mark Boone Jr., and his aversion to eight-shows-a-week theater grind. (50:46–52:07)
• Shares recent and upcoming projects: "Wednesday" Season 2, starring as Nevermore’s principal (09:49, 57:49), Adam Sandler-produced movies (Sadie and Sonny Sandler starring), and a cameo in "Happy Gilmore 2." (58:04)

14. Personal Life, Routine, and Looking Ahead

• Typically east coast-based, he describes a quiet life: black coffee, reading, yoga, family time, “uneventful,” and content. (53:25–54:47)
• Candid anecdotes, including starstruck memories of sitting next to Will and Tim Conway at the Emmys, delight the hosts. (54:55–57:07)

Steve Buscemi: "I was nervous to talk to you. I had just introduced myself to Betty White. As I was walking away, I heard her say, 'Who was that?' So I thought, 'Alright, I'm not saying hi to anybody.'" (55:25)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On firefighting and 9/11:
  “I went down to my old firehouse... brought my turnout gear... I was able to find my company there because they had lost members. They had access to the main pile that was still burning.” (13:10) — Steve Buscemi

• On getting ‘Reservoir Dogs’:
  “Quentin tells me I got the part of Mr. Pink as we were in the bathroom together... He said, ‘Ronnie Eskel showed me a tape of you auditioning for that Neil Simon movie... You looked like a criminal. That was just how I dressed.’” (27:01) — Steve Buscemi

• On audience recognition:
  “Depending on who I meet, if I get recognized, I never know what it’s from—Coen Brothers, Tarantino, or Adam Sandler?” (30:14) — Steve Buscemi

• On directing nerves:
  “When I direct, I get so anxious—I'm beside myself... I don’t really know what I’m doing… I get so jealous when directors say things like, ‘Should we use a 40?’ I’m like, ‘What are they talking about?’” (38:26–39:38) — Steve Buscemi

• On improvised lines:
  "In Armageddon... I just said, 'No nukes, no nukes,' and it made it into the movie." (48:58) — Steve Buscemi

• On lasting pride in his career:
  "I'm very proud of it, and I feel very grateful for it... I haven't done, like, popcorn things, but I don't care. I'm very happy with what I've gotten to do." (46:45) — Steve Buscemi

• On working with Adam Sandler:
  "Not only is he loyal to his friends, but that's what I mean by smart. He knows what brings out the best in him... He makes movies that he wants to see." (59:19–60:33) — Steve Buscemi

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Segment Timestamps

03:09 — Episode proper begins
06:55 — Will’s intro of Steve Buscemi
08:04 — Animated roles banter
09:50 — "Wednesday" Season 2 discussion
11:48 — Firefighter days
13:10 — Returning after 9/11
16:09 — Early acting memories
20:37 — Early auditions, learning by doing
26:31 — Tarantino casting story
29:39 — Impact of Reservoir Dogs
30:52 — Project selection philosophy
33:22 — Set etiquette & directors
38:26 — Directing anxiety
39:52 — Horror genre and violence
41:46 — "Fargo" & grounding violence
48:08 — Favorite on-screen death
48:58 — Improv lines in Blockbusters
50:46 — Theater & creative roots
53:25 — Routine when not working
54:55 — Emmy memories with Will
58:04 — Upcoming: “Wednesday” S2, Sandler projects, “Happy Gilmore 2”
60:42 — Praising Adam Sandler
61:34 — Warm send-off

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Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

This episode, steeped in admiration and mutual respect, offers a funny-yet-profound window into Steve Buscemi’s unlikely path and creative values. The hosts’ reverence is palpable; their gentle ribbing balanced by awe at Buscemi’s humility, talent, and generosity. Listeners are treated to inside-Hollywood stories, self-deprecating candor, and a portrait of a man as beloved off-screen as on.

Listen for:

• Candid discussions about fame and anonymity
• Laugh-out-loud kitchen-sink banter
• Touching stories about service, creative uncertainty, and the drive to stay authentic

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"You must be as proud as you deserve to be about the position that you hold in this community. It’s so well-earned, Steve."
— Sean Hayes (47:36)
"Thank you. And coming from you and all you guys, it just means so much to me because I really..."
— Steve Buscemi (47:52)

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Transcript

[Jason Bateman]

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[Sean Hayes]

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[Will Arnett]

Okay, guys, we're going to do it. We're going to one more episode.

[Steve Buscemi]

That's it.

[Sean Hayes]

This is our last episode, listeners. This is our final episode ever before Smart.

[Jason Bateman]

Before.

[Sean Hayes]

Right, Right before we do the next one.

[Will Arnett]

That's Right, this is it. This is the last one.

[Sean Hayes]

This is it for next one.

[Jason Bateman]

This one.

[Will Arnett]

Goodbye until the next one.

[Sean Hayes]

When does it start? It's going to start right now.

[Will Arnett]

So hello and goodbye and oh, hello. Until the next one. It's an all new smartless. Until the next one.

[Jason Bateman]

Smart, smart.

[Will Arnett]

Smart.

[Steve Buscemi]

Smart. Lawless.

[Sean Hayes]

What time is it there, Sean? It's dinner.

[Jason Bateman]

It's 5:30pm 5:30. I just ate. I had a piece of cod and I had some potatoes and some asparagus.

[Sean Hayes]

So cod, that's. That's British. That's what they do the fish and chips with, right?

[Jason Bateman]

That's right. I had cod, but before that I had a cinnamon roll.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, I'll bet.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, of course, that's. That's British for American food. Hey, do you. Are you just moving dinner earlier and earlier into the day? What's happening?

[Jason Bateman]

Well, yeah, well, I do have. It's funny because my day kind of starts now because LA is just waking up, so.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, but meanwhile you've done a full day of rehearsal already.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, yeah. And some interviews in the morning and radio like photo shoot.

[Sean Hayes]

But aren't you.

[Will Arnett]

When you say your day starts, what are you doing?

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah. So after this, then I go, I'm writing some. Something for something and then what do you know, I want to say it.

[Sean Hayes]

So are you trying your hand at screenwriting or writing a play or.

[Jason Bateman]

No, I'm just. We're kind of talking out and writing what the characters are, the development, like the outline and all that stuff.

[Will Arnett]

Okay.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, does it taste good?

[Will Arnett]

How does it sound? Sorry, sorry, I forgot the gum.

[Sean Hayes]

We were doing an audio show.

[Will Arnett]

I know. Who was. Who was the person who said. Somebody said. Somebody said to me once, hey man, can you turn your gum down? That's a good one. This is so good.

[Sean Hayes]

Sorry, I forgot. And Will, so. And Will, you're just getting started over there? Well, actually you're. You're midday right now.

[Will Arnett]

I'm midday. I was up this morning at 5:45.

[Sean Hayes]

Don't need to brag.

[Jason Bateman]

Isn't that wild? LA, New York, London.

[Sean Hayes]

So we. What? What's wild? Tell me what's wild about it. Yeah, different time zones talked about how wild.

[Will Arnett]

Let's talk about Sean.

[Sean Hayes]

Wait, Sean. What? No, sorry. What is it? It's. Oh, it's Will. What did you do so like since 5:30 that you're in seven hours into your day.

[Will Arnett]

So I woke up this morning, I did my Octal World Quirle, that used to be a part of. With our old buddies and you're still doing that. I still doing it every morning. And then I did a hot cold, I did a sauna and then I did a cold plunge for a few minutes. Then I went to my morning, my morning meeting, gathering, meeting very good with all my peeps, had a little coffee, came back, drove able to work, came back, worked out and now I'm here. Had a quickly something to eat. Now I'm here. So I've had a pretty full day.

[Sean Hayes]

When did you shower?

[Will Arnett]

Oh, I knew there was something. Yeah, I knew I'm going to do it after because it's just me in this sticky little booth.

[Sean Hayes]

No, but you have you.

[Will Arnett]

I didn't have, I didn't have time. I didn't have time. I literally just finished. I went upstairs, I had some leftover chicken salad.

[Sean Hayes]

All I'm figuring out from this is that the workout was light.

[Will Arnett]

It was not. It was not light, I guarantee you.

[Sean Hayes]

Then why haven't you showered? You weren't a sweaty mess.

[Will Arnett]

Of course I was. I didn't have time. I didn't want to be late because we have a great guest.

[Jason Bateman]

All right, wait.

[Will Arnett]

Yes, go ahead.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, no, no, no.

[Sean Hayes]

Get into it then.

[Jason Bateman]

No, no, get into it.

[Will Arnett]

I do have it. I do have a great guest. I do have a great guest. You guys are going to be really thrilled. And so is, I mean our audience already knows because they looked at the.

[Sean Hayes]

Thing when they logged on Sardino's what.

[Will Arnett]

Our audience already knows Sardino is your hearing going with your hair, what's happening.

[Sean Hayes]

So that's what happens. And the knees and the hips.

[Will Arnett]

Our, our guest today, he has built a career out of portraying some of the most unique and unforgettable characters in recent cinema. I mean, he's one of these guys who has.

[Jason Bateman]

Al PACINO, Burt Reynolds.

[Sean Hayes]

McConaughey is coming back.

[Jason Bateman]

He literally just said one all better.

[Will Arnett]

All better. I, I, I think our guest is, I think our guest is laughing at how absurd that is. Al Pacino, out of the blue, that haven't even named him. He's been nominated for Golden Globes. He's been Spirit Awards.

[Sean Hayes]

Here's Frost Awards.

[Will Arnett]

Oh my God, you know him. You know him and he's done it all in television and film. Some of the great Boardwalk Empire, Steve Buscemi.

[Sean Hayes]

Get him out here.

[Will Arnett]

Sopranos, Reservoir Dogs, Poison, Steve Busceme. God, you guys wouldn't let me finish. For fuck's sake.

[Sean Hayes]

Say but you've got a bury. You should have started with.

[Will Arnett]

You can't name his stuff because once you start Naming everything he's done.

[Sean Hayes]

You're like, start with some of the voiceover stuff.

[Steve Buscemi]

You.

[Sean Hayes]

You would have kept us in the dark.

[Will Arnett]

Well, if I'd started with the animated movies, you're right.

[Sean Hayes]

Like, one of the greatest voiceover artists. Next to Will Arnett.

[Jason Bateman]

That's right.

[Steve Buscemi]

Oh, that's saying something. Thank you.

[Jason Bateman]

Monster. Monsters University.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah. There you go. I know, I know, right?

[Will Arnett]

He knows.

[Steve Buscemi]

What about Igor?

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, Igor.

[Will Arnett]

Right.

[Jason Bateman]

Igor.

[Steve Buscemi]

Come on.

[Jason Bateman]

We've worked together a lot. I'm never really.

[Will Arnett]

What was Igo now? I don't know if I knew. Igor.

[Jason Bateman]

It was an animated film from 17, 000 years ago. Okay.

[Steve Buscemi]

John Cusack. Yeah. Oh, Igor.

[Jason Bateman]

Jennifer Coolidge, Molly Shannon.

[Steve Buscemi]

And Sean. You played.

[Will Arnett]

What a cast.

[Steve Buscemi]

Brian, you were the brain, but you spelled it wrong.

[Jason Bateman]

No, sorry. My name is Brian.

[Sean Hayes]

Right.

[Will Arnett]

If he was the brain, you guys were in trouble.

[Sean Hayes]

I always challenge myself on that.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Steve Buscemi, welcome to Smartless. God, it's good to have you here.

[Jason Bateman]

This is great.

[Will Arnett]

God, I'm such a massive. Have been like everybody else of what you do because you do so much different stuff. You are. You're such a. It's amazing. And so just to have you out here is. Is, I got to say, kind of a thrill.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Steve Buscemi]

Thrilled to be here.

[Sean Hayes]

Not bigger than me. I'm. I'm. I'm really aghast right now.

[Will Arnett]

This is fantastic. I know I'm a little.

[Steve Buscemi]

That I'm not Al Pacino, but.

[Sean Hayes]

You're weak.

[Will Arnett]

Sorry, Sean. Yeah. Jeez.

[Jason Bateman]

Look, it was. I was a shot in the dark. It was shot in the dark.

[Sean Hayes]

Steve, where do we find you? Where's that beautiful orange room you're in?

[Steve Buscemi]

I'm in the Netflix building in New York.

[Will Arnett]

Okay.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, hence the red background.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Orange.

[Sean Hayes]

Like adjust your.

[Steve Buscemi]

Sort of a soundproof room.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah. Either that or the. Or the set of Squid games.

[Will Arnett]

I was going to get to this, but we can. We can mention it early on. You're working on it. You got. Your Netflix show is coming out soon, right?

[Steve Buscemi]

Wednesday.

[Will Arnett]

Wednesday. It's the name of the show. It's not coming out.

[Steve Buscemi]

That's the name of the. The name of the. It's the second season of the Addams Family show. When. Wednesday.

[Will Arnett]

That's right. That's right. Which is. Which has been a huge success. Huge, huge, huge success.

[Steve Buscemi]

I love the first season, and I'm really excited that they cast me in the. In the second season, I. I played the new principle of Nevermore. It's the. The boarding school that Wednesday attends. Ah.

[Will Arnett]

I see. Nice. Well, you' great principal. I don't know, Steve. So we always ask people, like, how they got started, whatever. I've always wanted to know what was a young Steve Buscemi like when you were a kid? Were you like 7 years old? You wanted to be an actor or. Kind of, because I know that you had a. You started with a different career professionally before you started acting.

[Sean Hayes]

What was it?

[Will Arnett]

Can you walk us through that a little bit?

[Steve Buscemi]

Well, I mean, when I was a kid, you know, like all of us, I watched a lot of TV and. And it was everything, you know, it was like the Three Stooges, which Sean, I have again, I have to say, man, you played. I can't believe you got to play stooge. This guy was a perfect stooge. Three Stooges were big in my house. In my house. In my apartment in East. Not my apartment, in the apartment I lived in in East New York. Brooklyn. Yeah. The Little Rascals, you know, shows like that and then. But also, you know, like the afternoon movie that was on it, like 4 o', clock, you know, like, that would show all these gangster films, you know, So I was a big fan of Cagney and Bogart and all those films, too.

[Will Arnett]

But did you see yourself doing this? Because, like, I. Like I alluded to you, you kind of started in a different career. And Jason's not aware of this, but. But some people are. And so when was the moment that you allowed yourself and just walk us through what that career was, briefly, if you don' if it's okay.

[Steve Buscemi]

Well, I mean, I was a firefighter in the early 80s. Wow. Really? Yeah. But I had been trying to be an actor, and actually I tried my hand at stand up. So it's not like I, you know, was a firefighter who then decided to become an actor. I was already, you know, kind of a flailing standup and wannabe actor who. Who had taken the fire department test when I was 18 and they didn't get to my name. My name was on a list and they called me when I was like, I was home. I was 22, I think, when I was. When I was called. And then I was like, I'm going nowhere with this showbiz stuff. So I. I joined the fire department.

[Will Arnett]

And you fought firearms for four or five years?

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, I was at Engine 55 in Manhattan. In New York, Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, my goodness.

[Will Arnett]

And it should be noted that you also rejoined briefly after 9 11. Is that true?

[Steve Buscemi]

Well, I didn't rejoin. I just. I went down to my old firehouse on Broome street, because I knew that they were there, that they had been at the site, and I couldn't get any information. So on the 12th, I went there and I brought my turnout gear, my coat and helmet and boots and gloves.

[Jason Bateman]

That's amazing.

[Steve Buscemi]

And. And I was brought into the site by another firefighter, and he told me about the guys that were missing in the company, and one was a good friend of mine. And anyway, I went down to the site, and I was able to find my company there because they had lost members. They had access to the main pile that was still burning.

[Sean Hayes]

Right.

[Steve Buscemi]

And. And this is the day I got to work with them, you know, for the rest of the week. You know, this was on a. Wow, man.

[Jason Bateman]

And were these. Were these guys you kept. Kept in touch with and you. Were they still in the same.

[Steve Buscemi]

No, I mean, there were some that. Yeah, I mean, there were some guys that I recognized who I used to work with, but by and large, it was all new. New guys. And I didn't know them, and. But I got to know them during the week, and since then, I've stayed in touch. Year on 9, 11, I attend the. The breakfast at the firehouse with the families, and then there's a mass service, and then there's a lunch, and there's also bar time in there. In there.

[Will Arnett]

Sure, sure.

[Steve Buscemi]

They are firefighters, so there is a fair amount of drinking at Tony's bar. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

That's incredible. I mean, that's. And Sean, you've. You've supported, too. You bought a calendar every year, right?

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

So, Steve, Steve, we love you.

[Jason Bateman]

I never miss a year.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

I do what I can. I do what I can.

[Sean Hayes]

Steve, how did. How did firefighting find you at a young age? Was your dad involved with any of that stuff?

[Steve Buscemi]

My dad was a sanitation worker. He worked in Brooklyn, and he did that for 30 years. And so he was. He just knew the civil service, you know, like, what that job meant, the.

[Sean Hayes]

Benefits, the whole apparatus that keeps that city moving.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah. And, you know, the pay is good and you get good benefits. And he always. I mean, he knew I wanted to become an actor, but he would tell me, you know, just put in your 20 years, and then you can do all the acting you want. It doesn't really work that way, but I tried it, because.

[Will Arnett]

Meanwhile, put in your 20.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, put in your 20. Just put in your 20, retire at half pay, and then do all the act acting you want.

[Jason Bateman]

Right.

[Sean Hayes]

He was noticing that you were. You were. You were you were leaning towards acting. Is that because you were taking classes as a young kid? Were you doing it at school?

[Steve Buscemi]

I. I mean, I think he kind of knew it, that I had it in me since I was a little kid. Because when I was really little, I used to just make up stories and tell and tell jokes. If we were at a cousin's wedding, I would, like, stand up on a table and just do like a stand up.

[Jason Bateman]

That's fine.

[Steve Buscemi]

I'm sure it was like, stupid, but I was like five or six. So they. Yeah, and then I talk about this. I've talked about this before. When I was in fourth grade, my teacher, Mr. Riccobono, he cast me in a production of the wizard of Oz. I got to play the Cowardly lion. And I thought, this is it. If I never do anything else after this, I have. I was so happy. And when I was on stage, I just. It was that feeling of, wow, people are enjoying this and they're laughing and I'm, you know.

[Will Arnett]

That'd be a good role for you, jb.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, Cowardly Lion.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, I could do it.

[Jason Bateman]

He's got the hair for it.

[Sean Hayes]

Wait, so he does have the mane.

[Steve Buscemi]

Who was, who was.

[Sean Hayes]

Was mom or dad? Somebody who was outgoing and sort of who was, who, who, who was leading for you at that moment? Like, who's your North Star? Was it mom or dad?

[Steve Buscemi]

You know, in their own ways, both. I mean, my mom was the one when we were young who used to take us to the movies and see musicals and comedies. And then when I was a teenager, you know, a little bit even younger, my dad would take us to the movies and we'd see things like across 110th street and Cotton Comes to Harlem and movies. I just shouldn't have been seeing like that. And. But, but it was great.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Steve Buscemi]

And. And my dad, he had a good friend growing up in East New York named Peter Miller, who became an actor, and he went to the Neighborhood Playhouse and he was in movies with Cassavetes, and he was in John Robert Altman's first. First film, the Delinquents. And then he, you know, but he, he did it for a few years and then he, he, he left and he became an investment banker. So by the time I, you know, was old enough to talk to him, he had left acting. But I still, you know, it was like, ah, Uncle Pete, and he lives in Kenton, California. And I was like, someday I'm gonna make it to California and Uncle Pete's gonna show me the ropes.

[Sean Hayes]

Right?

[Steve Buscemi]

And so there was that, you know, so there was that, but. But really, you know, in junior high and high school, I didn't do any theater. I kind of became a jock and did sports.

[Sean Hayes]

What were you playing?

[Steve Buscemi]

I played soccer and a little bit of track, but wrestling was my big sport that I really loved. And then it wasn't until my senior year that I started to do the plays in high school. And I had another great teacher, Lynn Lapin. He was the English teacher, but he started the first acting class. And so I got to be in Fiddler on the Roof. And just. It was. It was really fun.

[Jason Bateman]

And that's cool.

[Sean Hayes]

What was. What was that first trip out to LA like? Was there one?

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, I. My son Pete and Charlene, his wife, they lived in Van Nuys. Yeah. And beautiful. So I stayed with them, but I didn't have a car. I didn't have a car. And he would go off to work and. And I'd just be like, I want to. I want to, like, see L. A. I didn't know, but I didn't know how to do it.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, you like 115 degrees with no trees.

[Sean Hayes]

So no car in Van Nuys. So you just started hoofing it and enjoying, you know, the fruits.

[Jason Bateman]

Beautiful.

[Sean Hayes]

Woodman Avenue and Woodman Sherman Way.

[Steve Buscemi]

But I think it was on that. I think it was on that trip because I had done a film called Parting Glances in New York, and I went out to L. A to try and meet casting people. And my friend Kathy Kenney, who was in that film, she was taking meetings and she would just bring me along. Like, she would pick me up and bring me along to these meetings. And some people were okay, like, oh, you brought a friend. She'd say, but he's really good actor. You should see him too. But mostly I think they were like, who is this guy? Why did you bring him?

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, that rarely goes down well. They're like, oh, well, of course. Let's meet your friend.

[Sean Hayes]

And then.

[Steve Buscemi]

So those.

[Sean Hayes]

Those first few experiences, were they. Were you kind of freestyling or did. Were you coming with a certain amount of training that you were leaning on or more of an instinctual kind of guy?

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, I had no idea what I was doing, really. I just. I just did not know. I remember when I first got a manager and I was going out on meetings, and the feedback that he was getting was, you know, he's kind of so deadpan, and he's like, he doesn't seem like he wants to be here. He just, like, is so quiet and like, so then I went to. I remember the first time I met Bonnie Timmerman, you know, big casting agent. I went in and I went in smiling and the first thing she said to me is, what are you smiling for? I was like, well, now I don't know what to do. Like, right, right. She thought I was like laughing at something. I was like, no, I was, I was told to smile.

[Sean Hayes]

I'll be there looking crazy.

[Will Arnett]

That's funny.

[Sean Hayes]

And we will be right back. Can you imagine never buying gas again? Just imagine. Just close your eyes. Imagine a car that's as easy to charge as your phone. Electric vehicles are perfect for real life and real savings. EVs have fewer parts, fewer repairs, and are less expensive to drive. You can save 7,500 doll or more on a new EV or over $4,000 on a used one. Plus you can ghost the gas station and save up to $2,000 a year not buying gas. Electric vehicles are perfect for real life, with a daily range that allows you to drive with confidence wherever you want to go. And charging is easy. You just plug in overnight at home, just like your phone, or use a fast charger and get back on the road in as little as 20 minutes. With 100 plus new and used EV models available today, there's an EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. The way forward is electric. Learn [e-mail].

[Jason Bateman]

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[Will Arnett]

So you kind of figure it out though. Like, you do a bunch of different parts. I mean, you do sort of like eight, ten movies maybe before Reservoir Dogs.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, yeah.

[Will Arnett]

And you do a bunch of different, varying degree, bigger roles and et cetera. What was that? Must have been kind of a seminal moment, if I'm guessing right? And talk a little bit about how that came into your world and what it was like first meeting Quentin Tarantino.

[Steve Buscemi]

So the script came to me from an aid from one of my early agents, Nancy Green, who has since passed away. But she was. She was really great. And I have to back up the story because like a year before that, or maybe six months before that, she convinced me to go on an audition for it was a Neil Simon comedy. And I don't remember. I don't even remember what. What film it was for. But I really didn't want to go. And she said, no, just go. You can meet the casting director, Ronnie Eskal, and just, you know, I wanna. Okay, I went and there were other actors there and they put us in like a group scene. We were improvising and it was fun. And then. But, you know, I left and I didn't get the, you know, whatever part that I was auditioning for and forgot about it. And then I got the script for Reservoir Dogs from Nancy and I loved it. And I didn't. You know, the first time I met Quentin was on the phone and hearing his voice, I was just shocked. Cause I thought I was gonna be talking to like an ex convict who was like in his 50s or something. And instead it was like, hey, man, thanks for reading my Script. Thanks a bunch. I'm really excited. And I was like, wait, is this. Are you Quentin Tarantino?

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, man. You know, I was like, it didn't match up. And he was so excited and so enthused. And I auditioned for it twice, and then I did the workshop for it in Sundance, and it was Quentin and I. And this is, I guess, typical Quentin fashion. He tells me, I got the part of Mr. Pink as we were in the bathroom. You know, we're in the bathroom together, and he's like, oh, by the way, I cast you as Mr. Pink. I went, what?

[Sean Hayes]

What?

[Steve Buscemi]

Oh, really? He says, yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Wow.

[Steve Buscemi]

And he. And he says, yeah. And it wasn't really based on your audition. You know, he said, but Ronnie Eskel showed me a tape of when you auditioned for that Neil Simon movie. I go, but that was a comedy. Like, what did you see in me that you thought? He goes, well. Cause you had on, like, a vintage shirt and your hair was slicked back and you look like a criminal. And that was just how I dressed.

[Jason Bateman]

That was just me just rolling out of bed.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

No way.

[Steve Buscemi]

And so thank God I went on that audition, you know. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Yes. Isn't that amazing how those things kind of worked like that? You just never know.

[Sean Hayes]

And was that. Was that. Would you. Would you say that that film or any of the films around that started to solidify for you what you were confident in doing? And I guess the question is, at what point did you start to really kind of just dig into your style, quote, unquote, or what your confidence was? What I have is going to work. What I have is going to take me into something that I can make a living and also can be creatively fulfilled. Like, when did you get that feeling of, I've got what I think it takes? And I like that they're hiring me for this type of thing.

[Steve Buscemi]

I mean, that film, Reservoir Dogs, had a lot to do with opening doors, for sure, and it did a lot for my confidence. Just being just being cast. Being cast in a movie with Harvey Keitel and having scenes with Harvey was, you know, that was like a dream. I never thought that that would be possible. And then getting to meet, you know, and work with actors like Tim Roth and Michael Madsen, who we sadly lost, and meeting Eddie Bunker, who was an ex convict and, you know, wrote the movie Straight Time that was based on his. On his book, and Runaway Train. And so it was just exciting to be with these people and Chris Penn and the whole. The whole cast. So just having done the movie was a huge confidence boost. And then, you know, Quentin did us all a big favor by that credit sequence of having us walk in the parking lot and our names were underneath our faces, like, as we were walking. Because before that, it was like, who's this guy who's. You know, like, if my name was mentioned, you know, you couldn't put a face to the name.

[Sean Hayes]

Sure.

[Steve Buscemi]

Now at least people could. And I had something to show, you know, like, if I was up for something and they wanted to see what I did, that was the film. And so that opened doors. But, you know, as far as what my style is or anything, I never know. You know, I feel like I've done so many different kinds of things, and depending on, like, who I meet, you know, like, on the street, if I get recognized, I never know what they. You know. Is it from a Coen Brothers? Is it from Tarantino? Or is it from Adam?

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, Sandler.

[Steve Buscemi]

You know, so some people only kind of know me in that comedic vein, and other people know me from other things.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, that's a tribute to your career. Like, I mean, you're able to do so many different things so well. It must be. You must have a great number of choices in front of you at times, and how do you decide which way you're going to go? Is it based on the people involved? Is it based on the kind of character that being maybe different than the last one you just played? How are you making your decisions?

[Steve Buscemi]

I guess it's different each time. Sometimes it's just such a wonderful script, and if it's an independent film and it's a young filmmaker that's starting to come up and, you know, and I love doing that type of work.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, wow.

[Steve Buscemi]

And then other times, it is, you know, it's the people who are involved, but it really is the material. I mean, I try and, you know, go for the material first.

[Sean Hayes]

The script as a whole or your particular character as a whole?

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, as a whole. I mean, it used to be. There was a time when I would read a script and they'd say, what character? And I would just flip the pages to see when the character would be killed. I swear. Oh, I made it to page 39. Okay. I think.

[Will Arnett]

Would it be, like, where the character was killed, or would it also be, like, where the character can really score? Would you look at that and go like, oh, this is a good scene. This is, you know.

[Steve Buscemi]

Well, yeah, if I. It was a. Yeah. I mean, there's that stuff. Stuff where, like, if it's a good Dramatic part, or there was like a. Like a good scene. But. But yeah, mainly I would either get. I would either get beat up or I would be chasing somebody with a knife or. And then eventually get. Get killed. And it was. Yeah, it went that way for a while.

[Will Arnett]

You. And, and, and so we touched on it. And Jason, you just said too, you did so many different. Not just so many different characters, but so many different kinds of. Of, you know, size of films. You've done these huge Hollywood films and you've done these really small. In fact, you made the seminal independent film Living in Oblivion with our mutual friend Tom dichillo.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yes.

[Will Arnett]

Which is about making an independent film, which is one of my favorites. And then you just said that you like working with young, up and coming directors. Is it that you like. You like the feeling of being part of that vibe of somebody who's just finding their way and exploring? Is that exciting to you? Is that what it is?

[Steve Buscemi]

It's. Yeah. Yeah. I really love that, you know, and I'm so, like, happy that I was, you know, part of Quentin's first film. You know, like, he, you know, that was, I think, really exciting for all of us to see somebody like him. And he had such confidence in what he was doing that that's what I think blew all of us away, that he.

[Sean Hayes]

It was such a clear point of view.

[Steve Buscemi]

So that that kind of energy is. Is contagious. You know, it just makes you feel good about being in this business. Yeah, yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

You know, and not knowing you very well, Steve, is like, I get a sense from you that you're. And you correct me if I'm wrong, you're filled with gratitude and appreciation for working and where you are in life as an actor. Like, I can't ever see you being a problem on any set ever, or having an issue. Like, there's certain, you know, there's many, many types of actors, and a lot of them can't wait to share all of their ideas in their back and come to set with. You know, there's those typ. And then there's other types that are just like, yes, I've studied my role. I have a few ideas, but you're in charge. Like, where do you fall?

[Steve Buscemi]

I think, yeah, I think I fall into. I mean, I've worked with so many different directors, and I like to see what their style is and how I can be accommodating. And since I've been directing, I'm even more so because now I know what directors go through. You know, a lot of the times, they're just trying to make the day right. Just like. And you don't want to.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, we talk with Jason about it all the time. Because I always ask Jason about the difference between being on either side, so. And you have that, too now.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah. I mean, you know, it's like, well, why would I come through this door? Like, don't you think I should? It's, like, not. Okay. What do you want me to come through? You know? Okay, good. Like, I could figure out my own motivation, like, if you want me to, or if you want me to do this. And it's only when something really doesn't feel right, like, if I can't find my way around, like, organically, why I'm doing something, or if the blocking feels off. Yeah. Then I'll say something. But generally, yeah, I just like to show up and kind of do it. Yeah, Right.

[Will Arnett]

As a director. As a director, have you had those moments where you've had to say, just come through the fucking door, man?

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Why the door? Because it's the only door that we have, and you need to come into the scene. So we need you in here to do this scene.

[Jason Bateman]

Right, right.

[Will Arnett]

Have you had those moments?

[Steve Buscemi]

I really can't think of anybody who was like that way with me. And, you know, I mean, I've had moments, but I. And, you know, being an actor, I always like to see what the actor will come up with, you know, if I have time to, like, rehearse something properly. Which you don't always. I like to see what the actors do naturally and then try and, you know, and then. And then block the scene. Sometimes you don't have that luxury. You know, you just want to get in there and say, yeah, the actors aren't here yet. Let's see if we can get them to be. You know, this one here, this one here, and then we can shoot it.

[Will Arnett]

Right. So you're like, we're already set up for this, so this is how it's going to go. But, jb, have you ever had that where you've had to kind of like, just go, just do it?

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, I mean, a thousand times. Because I. I really. Yeah, because I. I personally, I'm such a fan of what the camera can do to help the audience understand what the scene is about. So oftentimes, I'll have a huge plan already worked out about what the coverage is going to be. And that's. That means that people have to be in certain spots. And so I'll try to encourage the actors to make A friend of that blocking. But if they. If they don't. If they aren't comfortable with it, I can pivot for sure. But, Steve, with all the incredible set experience that you have and the number of fantastic directors that you've worked with, it's interesting to me to hear you say that you gravitate towards new directors at times because it seems like you'd often be in a situation where that director might be drowning in the unforeseen complications of any day, and you might get frustrated with, like, oh, my God, this is. You know, it's frustrating for you to have been on so many sets that work so well to then be sort of extending your patience and your experience to help out a young director. I find that just so generous of you. And is it taxing?

[Steve Buscemi]

But I don't really find the frustration that. But I do sometimes feel with the person who is directing. I. Sometimes. I've just been on so many sets over the years, I get frustrated with maybe, like, why did they bring me in this early? Or why are they shooting me?

[Sean Hayes]

It's the first AD you're yelling at.

[Steve Buscemi]

Why are they. You know, and so. And especially on, you know, Boardwalk Empire was the first time I had played a character, like, you know, repeatedly and for or however many seasons that we did five. And towards the end, I think I did start to be the guy that wouldn't. They call me to set, and I would just go, all right, I'm just gonna sit here for another 10 minutes until they really need me. But then that kind of, like. Then they're like, well, he's not coming out. So now they would call me even earlier, you know, like, the next time. It just. Yeah, it just. Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Steve Buscemi]

But I love doing that show. Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, that must. Then you must really. You must love. Well, you tell me, do you love directing? I'll bet you do.

[Steve Buscemi]

In theory, it makes me the most anxious. Like, when I direct, I get so anxious that it's. I'm beside myself about what? I don't do it enough. I just feel like I'm. You know, I'm insecure. I'm not really. I don't really know what I'm doing. I don't know about camera stuff. See, that's my. My. My weakness is that I'll come on set and I'll say, you know what I'm. And I'll say, the dp. I'm thinking, how about if they. We do this and that, and the DP will say, oh, well, you know, the light's coming in this way. And we. And this is. And I would go, oh, oh, yeah, right, right, right.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, yeah, you're right. Let's.

[Sean Hayes]

Now I just go talk to the.

[Steve Buscemi]

Actor, look to the DP and go, what do we do? Like, what do we.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

And I. I find. Find 8 out of 10 directors work like that. Don't, don't. Don't you find that a lot. A lot of directors would just sort of punt all the camera stuff to the DP and the operator and. And then they go and they work with the actors, which is a great way to do it as well. There's so many different ways to do it.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, there are, but I get so jealous of directors when they say to the DP, so what do you think? A 40? You're thinking of 35. And I'm like, what are they talking? Like.

[Sean Hayes]

Whatever you're doing, you're doing it just right. Yeah, keep going.

[Will Arnett]

Of all the genres you've done, is there any genre. Is there a genre that you haven't done that you want to do, or is there a genre that you have done and that you will never do again?

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, I really haven't done horror. I've done, like, a little bit. There's some TV shows back in the day, like Tales from the Crypt, and there was a show called Monsters, But I've never done, like, a horror movie. But I don't know if I could. I don't. I'm pretty squeamish. And I don't like prosthetic makeup. Like, I've done that in the past.

[Will Arnett]

Like, sitting in the chair for five hours.

[Steve Buscemi]

Sitting in the chair. Yeah. Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

But your ability to ground violence is awesome.

[Will Arnett]

That's a good way to put it.

[Sean Hayes]

Watching you deal with the unsettling unpredictability of violence coming on someone that is just normal, that's a bit eccentric. But, like, living in our world, you just ground violence very well to a point where, oh, my God, that's really shocking because it seems like it's really happening to someone in our real world. I mean, I. You know, Fargo's top three films I've ever seen in my life, I've seen it more than any other film. So just. Just your way. Just not only just the. The violence that you're. That you deal with in that film, but even just your. Your line of work in that film, too. You know, that. That there's a. There's a grounded sense of. Here's a guy who's you know, dealing with, you know, the underbelly of society, but he's not. Not super comfortable with it, but, you know, he's just. He's got to make a living. And here we go. And I.

[Will Arnett]

It's kind of matter of fact, almost.

[Sean Hayes]

It's so exciting to. To have to follow somebody like you through an eccentric storyline because you just ground it all.

[Steve Buscemi]

You.

[Sean Hayes]

You know. You know who we are. I love that.

[Steve Buscemi]

Well, thank you. And that. And that film was. Yeah, that was another seminal one for me. Cause I had, you know, worked with the Coen brothers a few times before that. But then in that film, they. They. They. They really gave me a part that was throughout the film, and I loved it. And I loved that character, you know, kind of. Yeah. You know, thinking he's, you know, smarter than he really is, but, you know, but he had a certain kind of confidence, you know, that he got so.

[Sean Hayes]

Funny, you know, especially the way you. You interrelate with your. With your. Your cohort there. Peter Stromor.

[Steve Buscemi]

Peter Stromar. Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

Stromar.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

I just. Just love that sort of alpha beta thing you guys had going, where you. You're just. You're the smartest guy in the world when it's just the two of you guys, you know, Then you get thrown out amongst the other characters and you're in trouble. I. I just.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, you with a bloody face, getting angry at everybody around you. Just made me pee in my pants.

[Will Arnett]

How many. How many films did you do with the Coen brothers? Because you. I mean. Yeah, you mentioned it. You've worked with them before. You worked. You did. Big Lebowski was after that.

[Steve Buscemi]

After Fargo. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah. Which is weird. I. I always think of it as being before.

[Steve Buscemi]

No, that was their follow up to Fargo, which was kind of amazing because they had finally, like, broken into the mainstream because that. Cause Fargo was nominated. Right. So now, like, everybody was seeing this film, and we're starting to really, you know, get to know the Coen brothers in a mainstream way, and then they follow up with this film that. I remember when it came out, people really didn't know what to make of it. It took a good five years, I mean, for people to, like, catch on.

[Will Arnett]

Like, could it have a bigger cult following? I don't know if the film could have a bigger cult following than Big Lebowski.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

We'll be right back.

[Will Arnett]

Theater news alert. Actors and real life buds Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are coming to Broadway, starring in the greatest play ever written about nothing. Waiting for Godot don't miss the exhilarating, hilarious and deeply human new production of Samuel Beckett's absurdist masterpiece, directed by Tony and Olivier AW winner, Jamie Lloyd. It's a 16 week limited run starting September 13th, so don't wait. Unless, of course. You ready? Unless you're waiting for Godot. Get tickets now@godot broadway.com that's G O D O-T broadway.com waiting for Godot.

[Jason Bateman]

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[Sean Hayes]

And now back to the show.

[Jason Bateman]

And now actors are lucky enough if you're in one hit anything, one hit play TV show and you've had all of these things that you've been a part of that are like hit after hit after hit, like just kind of extraordinary. Are you able to allow yourself to appreciate that and be like, I'm kind of proud of, like, I'm proud of what I've done? I mean, of course you are. You don't have to say it out loud, but. Or are you one of the people that kind of deflects say it out loud? I mean. Or can you absorb that? Because it's very rare for somebody to be in that many hit. Hit things.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah. I mean, I'm very proud of it, and I feel very grateful for it, and at the same time, I feel like I haven't been in, you know, like, I've. I've never done, like, a Marvel movie. I've never done, like. I've. I haven't done, you know, popcorn things.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, yeah.

[Steve Buscemi]

I mean, I did, you know, like, I like Armageddon and Con air were my two, like. Like, big movies that I did in the 90s, but I really haven't done stuff like that. That so much since.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, but I'm.

[Steve Buscemi]

I don't care. I mean, I'm very happy with.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, that's kind of what I'm saying.

[Steve Buscemi]

Going.

[Sean Hayes]

You know, you lend. You lend so much credibility and artistic rigor to those films. Like, that was a. That was a very nice thing you did for those couple of films, and I'll bet you could do that a ton more if you wanted to. I bet Marvel would have you in a second.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

But you are. You're just such actor and director, you know, catnip. I hope you're as proud as you deserve to be about, you know, the position that you hold in this community. It's so well earned, Steve, and.

[Steve Buscemi]

Well, thank you. And coming from you and all you guys, it just means so much to me because I really.

[Will Arnett]

You've. You've had some pretty memorable deaths on screen. Do you have a favorite? Is there a favorite. Favorite. Steve Buscevi, Manner of dying.

[Steve Buscemi]

My favorite was in the Big Lebowski, just literally being scared to death.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Steve Buscemi]

It made no sense. Like, when I read the script, I was like, I think I'm gonna make it through this one. I think. I know. It's like, what? He's dead, you know?

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, you also. That's so good. Have you also met mentions that you improvised in that audition that Quentin saw you in? And I'm sure you've improvised a lot of movies, and I know you've had the opportunity of working with so many great writers who've written and you've mentioned so many great pieces of material, but has there ever been an improvised line? I've always wanted to know, is there something in a movie somewhere that you're proud of that you improvised and that made it in the movie and you're like, oh, yeah.

[Steve Buscemi]

Well, actually in Armageddon, I mean, Michael Bay let us, you know, improvise a lot. You know, like, you know, I mean, we would, we would do the scene. But then the one thing I remember when I was sitting on the, the nuclear weapon and I just, and I said, I was like, no nukes, no nukes. Like, that was just from me and it made it into the movie.

[Jason Bateman]

God, that movie was so huge then. It was such a massive hit. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, my God.

[Sean Hayes]

So, Steve, again, with all of the stuff that you've done and all the directors that you've worked with and the parts that you've played, aside from Marvel, is there something that you, that you hope to do sometime soon and that can be as an actor or as a director? You know, are, are you looking to maybe direct one of those big sort of popcorn big pieces of business things or act in one of those.

[Steve Buscemi]

You know, I've never really had a plan and I've been, you know, I mean, we all get asked like, what's your dream role? And, or if what you want to.

[Sean Hayes]

Do or to work with somebody, a.

[Steve Buscemi]

Director or to work with somebody. And I get superstitious about, well, I've never worked with so and so. And I feel like if I say it out loud.

[Sean Hayes]

Sure, sure, that makes sense.

[Jason Bateman]

Although sometimes you say it out loud and it happens.

[Steve Buscemi]

That's true.

[Jason Bateman]

Because they hear it.

[Sean Hayes]

What about theater? Have you, have you. I apologize for not knowing, but if.

[Will Arnett]

You want to take Sean and apologize for taking Sean's question, but go ahead.

[Jason Bateman]

Jason.

[Sean Hayes]

Sean will have the follow up about anything funny that happened on stage. But.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

What are, do you, do you enjoy doing that or does it take too much time off of your availability?

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, you know, I mean, I used to do in the 80s when I lived in these village, which was like an amazing place and time to live. I had a partner, Mark Boone Jr. Who you guys may know, he was. He's, you know, he's done a lot of great work. He was. And a lot of people know him from Sons of Anarchy. He played the character of Bobby.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, yeah, yeah, I know.

[Steve Buscemi]

Mark, didn't you work with Boone?

[Will Arnett]

I think, yeah, I did. I did work with him. Yeah, he did Flaked. He did our show. Flaked.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Yes, yes, he's terrific. God, what a great actor.

[Steve Buscemi]

We used to write and perform our own, like short sketches and some plays and that was, you know, I think I never felt more creative as when I was doing that, you know, working with him and Then working with other. I worked a little bit with the Wooster group. Another playwright director, John on Jezerin. And I did a lot of that stuff then. And then when I sort of transitioned into film, I just felt like I was spoiled by like, like all the great people and fun that I had doing that in the 80s. It was hard for me to make a transition into like. They want me to do what. How many, how many shows a week? I think the eight shows a week thing is like the dumbest thing in the world.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, it's brutal.

[Steve Buscemi]

And. And then I was just. Yeah, I just, I guess I just sort of kept myself open, you know, for like film and TV stuff. The last play that I did was over 20 years ago, but it was amazing. It was. Simon McBurney directed it and it was Arturo Ui and Al Pacino played Arturo Ui. Sean. Amazing cast. And it was a. Yeah, it was a star studded cast.

[Jason Bateman]

And you were supposed to do something with Oscar Isaac right around the Pandemic.

[Steve Buscemi]

We were gonna do. Yeah, we were gon do. It was three sisters. Yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, three sisters.

[Steve Buscemi]

Right, right. And the Pandemic, that was going to.

[Will Arnett]

Be the original title of our podcast.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, it was taken.

[Will Arnett]

It was taken.

[Steve Buscemi]

Pandemic. Put that on hold. And then, and then, then it sort of, it just kind of fell apart. But I've tried to do some things over the years but. But it just never worked out.

[Will Arnett]

So we mentioned that, you know, how much you work and again, like how many roles you've done and, and it's, you know, it's. Obviously it's. You're busy a lot where you, you just, you work a lot. You must. I don't know if it feels like you work a lot, but you do. Yeah.

[Steve Buscemi]

No, it does.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah. So what, what is, what do you do? Are you east coast based? Are you west coast based?

[Steve Buscemi]

Most of the time I'm east coast. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, east coast New York. Yeah. And then what, What's a, what's a day? What's. If you're not on set, you're not working on something. What's an average day for Steve Buscemi? You wake up and you have a, you're a Coffee, tea, matcha. What are you.

[Steve Buscemi]

Definitely coffee. Black coffee in the morning, Black coffee. Just read like, you know, the Times or whatever newsfeed is on my phone and do that and then the Post. I don't do, you know, like, I do yoga. We do yoga on the weekends.

[Will Arnett]

Nice.

[Steve Buscemi]

For a little while I was working out, but I'm Not. Yeah, I.

[Will Arnett]

But are you. Are you walking around? You going to lunch? You going to read books? You go to museums? Are you watching reality tv?

[Steve Buscemi]

No, I don't watch reality tv. I mean, I catch up on shows and movies and I like doing that. And I like hanging out with friends and visiting my mom, who's 92 now and she lives now like a block away from me. But it's a pretty sort of, you know, uneventful life that I lead.

[Sean Hayes]

Sounds pretty good.

[Will Arnett]

No, but that sounds like a power down. Like you need to have kind of like quiet time where you kind of do not. Nothing. A little bit.

[Jason Bateman]

What's your drink of choice?

[Steve Buscemi]

My wine? Yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, wine. Red, white?

[Steve Buscemi]

Red wine. Red wine.

[Jason Bateman]

Red wine.

[Steve Buscemi]

There you go.

[Jason Bateman]

All right.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yes.

[Will Arnett]

It's pretty classy.

[Jason Bateman]

That's good to know.

[Steve Buscemi]

Hey, Will, I have to ask you this?

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, please.

[Steve Buscemi]

Do you remember when we were Both nominated for 30 Rock?

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Steve Buscemi]

Do you remember we were sitting next to each other at the Emmys? It was the Emmys. That happened like before.

[Jason Bateman]

For the Creative Emmys.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah, the Creative.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, the Creative Emmys.

[Steve Buscemi]

Cuz we were Both nominated for 30 Rock and we were sitting next to each other and so was Tim Conway.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, wow.

[Steve Buscemi]

I think.

[Will Arnett]

Wait a second.

[Steve Buscemi]

Do you remember this? And we. I think. And we didn't say a word to each other. I think we were both kind of like nervous to talk to each other.

[Will Arnett]

I was nervous to talk to you.

[Steve Buscemi]

I. Well, I was nervous to talk to you. And I had just. I had. Right before that, I had introduced myself to Betty White, who was there. And as I was walking away from her, I heard her say to a friend, who was that? Then I was like, all right, I'm not gonna say hi to anybody. And we sat there and so when they got to our category, it's Tim Conway. I mean, we're up. You know, I think we both knew before they announced his name, he ran up on stage, which I thought was such a brilliant, brilliant move, because win or lose, it was great. It was. It was so. You know, he did that.

[Will Arnett]

You know, it's funny, Steve. I do remember that. That's so crazy. I totally blanked on that.

[Sean Hayes]

Did he end up winning?

[Steve Buscemi]

He did win.

[Will Arnett]

He did win. He did win. Of course he did win. But what he had done was, if you remember in the 70s, he originated that bit that they. That they kind of. They tried to copy years later for actress in a comedy. He originally. The bid in 1975. I know it was that year because his year. Chevy Chase was nominated for SNL. So it was like 75, 76. And they started listing off the nominees, and they go, best supporting Actor in the company, Tim Conway. And he walked up, and then each nominee walked up as if they had won. That's really just when they do the list of nominees. And then they stood there, and then Chevy Chase ended up winning, but they were all standing on stage. So I love that he, years later, extended that bit. And of course, I remember that. That was so, so crazy.

[Steve Buscemi]

And then when he. When he took his. Like, he kind of, like, bowed and then pretended that he stabbed himself with the award and like, kind of walked off holding his heart, you know, I was like, oh, my God.

[Will Arnett]

Was there any anybody funnier than Tim Conway?

[Steve Buscemi]

No, I know. It was just. Yeah, I was so excited to meet him. He.

[Will Arnett]

He. One time. I saw a bit one time where he. And. And Harvey Corman. Harvey Corman gets announced. He either won or was announced to come to the stage. And Tim Con, he was wearing tails, and Tim Conway went and jumped on his tails and literally rode his coattails down the aisle. It was such a brilliant. Just working on so many different levels. Oh, gosh.

[Sean Hayes]

Love it.

[Will Arnett]

30 Rock.

[Jason Bateman]

30 Rock, everybody rock.

[Steve Buscemi]

I missed that show. Yeah. That was so much fun to work on.

[Will Arnett]

So your new show's coming out next. Well, whatever it is.

[Steve Buscemi]

Soon.

[Will Arnett]

I should know this. This is my August 6th. August 6th, which is my son's birthday. So now I really remember. It's one of my son's birthdays. And then. So what do we got in store for the rest of the summer, Steve? What do we look at?

[Steve Buscemi]

Well, right now I'm working with. Adam Sandler is producing a movie. He's producing two movies that his daughters are in. So Sonny is in one film that I'm doing called don't say Good Luck, and Sadie is doing a film called Roommates. And last night was the premiere for Happy Gilmore 2.

[Will Arnett]

Happy Gilmore 2.

[Steve Buscemi]

I'm in that as well. And that was so much fun seeing that film. And we watched it again. Like, I watched the first one in the afternoon yesterday, just so I would be up on all the references. And they did it. It was. It was just so satisfying and so funny.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, I'm sure. And I think that people maybe. And you can. You can testify to this, and we all can. There's almost not a nicer guy or better dude in the world than Adam Sandler.

[Sean Hayes]

See, I differ. I. You know, everybody. This monster, I just. He's got everybody fooled.

[Will Arnett]

I mean, he's the nicest man. He's the sweetest guy. And on top of being so funny and everything's so talented. He's such a good dude.

[Sean Hayes]

He really is.

[Steve Buscemi]

And he's so smart.

[Will Arnett]

So smart.

[Steve Buscemi]

I mean, I've worked with him since Airheads, right? Like, that was the first thing that we did.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, my gosh. That's right.

[Steve Buscemi]

And then he, you know, he was talking to us on set about how he wanted to do his own film, and Robert Simon, who was one of the producers on Airheads, you know, took him up on it and produced Billy Madison. And Adam asked me to do, like, a small thing in that, and it was so much fun. But to watch Adam over the years, because his friends used to show up on set, you know, and just hang out. And then each movie I've done with him, I notice, oh, those friends are now in the movies. Those friends are his writers. Those friends are his producers. Not only is he loyal to them, but that's what I mean by smart. He knows what brings out the best in him, and he knows that they will bring gold, and he makes movies that he wants to see. I don't think Adam ever makes something that he's trying to find an audience for. It's stuff that he really. That he wants to see, that he thinks is funny.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, he really does. He champions people. And also, like you, he's. He's so diverse and can do so. Has so many different gears. Oh, yeah, It's. It's unbelievable.

[Steve Buscemi]

I was so happy for him that when he started doing dramatic roles, and I was so pissed off at myself that I hadn't, like, you know, like, written something dramatic for him, you know, first, you know, because I. Because I could see it in. In him, and I used to tell him that, you know, like, what was it?

[Sean Hayes]

First punch.

[Steve Buscemi]

He's an amazing musician. Yeah. Punch Drunk Love was the first one. I think that really kind of, you know, where people started to see him in a. In a different light. And then, of course, with. I mean, uncut gems. I mean, come on.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah. Forget.

[Steve Buscemi]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Well, Steve, what an absolute delight. I'm sorry that we never. That you and I didn't speak to each other at the Emmys. All those.

[Sean Hayes]

Today.

[Steve Buscemi]

We. We did exchange a few words. It was.

[Will Arnett]

But we didn't really go deep, but we were both losing. We were just losers that night. But what a thrill to have you, man. It just. Honestly, just such a. I'm so excited.

[Sean Hayes]

To have met you, Steve.

[Steve Buscemi]

Thank you so much. Thank you for joining us. It's an honor for me to be with you guys.

[Will Arnett]

And Wednesday. Wednesday on Netflix, August 6th. We'll look forward to it. Season two of Wednesday. Steve, just sending you lots of love and all the best of luck and continued success. You're just the greatest.

[Steve Buscemi]

Thank you. And sending love, love and all the success to you guys too. I love what you do, so thank you.

[Jason Bateman]

Thanks.

[Sean Hayes]

Enjoy the rest of your summer.

[Will Arnett]

Great. Steve Buscemi. Thank you, Steve.

[Sean Hayes]

Bye, buddy.

[Steve Buscemi]

Thank you.

[Will Arnett]

Bye. Bye. Bye.

[Steve Buscemi]

Bye.

[Jason Bateman]

How about that guy?

[Will Arnett]

Talking about a guy who's done it all.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, yeah, that was that. I. I'm still a little, A little kind of in shock there. I like that. That's just like such a enormous fan of his and I just, for some reason, I. He just seems like a guy I always thought I would never, ever be able to meet. Meet, you know, it's just like one of those guys, like, zero circles I know or that I'm in.

[Will Arnett]

He just lives, like, in a cool zone.

[Steve Buscemi]

Like. Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

He's not out there cutting ribbons at markets and premieres and like that. Like, he's just like, you know, if I got lucky enough to maybe be in a project with him. But, you know, what are the odds?

[Will Arnett]

Are you spending time with a lot of ribbon cutters?

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, yeah. I bring my own scissors. You know, I don't.

[Steve Buscemi]

I.

[Sean Hayes]

My germaphobe, so.

[Jason Bateman]

But Willie, when. When you announced him on, when you, when you were revealing and Jason guessed it, I was like, right away. And I was like, oh, yeah. And he came on as one of those people like Jada said, you're like, oh, my God, it would be so cool to hang out with him and. Oh, we're hanging out with him.

[Sean Hayes]

Like.

[Will Arnett]

I know, I know.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

I know. It's just a thrill.

[Sean Hayes]

What a talent. And to talk about. Yeah. What he lends each project and, you know, he's in the cast list.

[Will Arnett]

I agree.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, okay. So they're not around on this film.

[Will Arnett]

He raises all boats.

[Jason Bateman]

And I didn't know he did stand up like, you know, like I did.

[Will Arnett]

You should have tried some of your stand up.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, I have some.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, do you?

[Will Arnett]

Oh, oh, yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

Sean, anything you're workshopping?

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

What did this, what did the sushi say to the bee?

[Sean Hayes]

Huh? Give me a second here.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, wasabi.

[Steve Buscemi]

That.

[Will Arnett]

You really got JP with that one.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh. Because, you know, there's a lot in there that is. Is close to my heart, you know.

[Jason Bateman]

Right.

[Sean Hayes]

The. The mock bro talk.

[Jason Bateman]

Right.

[Sean Hayes]

And the pun and. And the underused sushi mustard, you know, I just don't think gets a. A fair shake in this world. And then bees, of course. You know, they're my archmen. Nemesis.

[Steve Buscemi]

Bees.

[Will Arnett]

Bees.

[Jason Bateman]

Bees. Do you want one more? Do you want one more?

[Will Arnett]

Of course we do.

[Steve Buscemi]

Okay.

[Jason Bateman]

Okay. What does an Irishman Call 66% of a piece of poo?

[Sean Hayes]

Huh? Oh, that's two thirds of something. Two turds.

[Jason Bateman]

That's right.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, that's good.

[Sean Hayes]

There we go.

[Will Arnett]

Nice jb.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, thanks.

[Jason Bateman]

Two turds, two t. Well, that's like. That's like a combination. That's like a hybrid of a.

[Sean Hayes]

Here we go.

[Steve Buscemi]

Hybrid.

[Jason Bateman]

Wait, what's the opposite of a hybrid? I can't even think of it.

[Sean Hayes]

Gas burner.

[Jason Bateman]

No, that would be a hybrid. That would be a. Vibrant.

[Sean Hayes]

Vibrant.

[Will Arnett]

No, not at all.

[Sean Hayes]

No.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, but that's.

[Sean Hayes]

No. What are you talking about?

[Jason Bateman]

It's like a hybrid joke of two.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, how about. Or maybe you were going towards, like, you know, you know, you got those airplanes with the jets and then the. The other planes that don't have the jets.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, that's good.

[Sean Hayes]

Those are.

[Jason Bateman]

Those are like.

[Steve Buscemi]

By Smart Wellness. Smart less.

[Will Arnett]

Smartless is 100% organic and artisanally handcrafted by Rob Armjarv, Bennett Barbico, and Michael Grantier.

[Steve Buscemi]

Smart Less.

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