SmartLess: "Steve Buscemi"

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

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.

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)

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

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

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

"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)