On September 11, 2001, Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi returned to work as a New York firefighter. Buscemi has starred in films including Parting Glances, Pulp Fiction, New York Stories, Mystery Train, Reservoir Dogs, Desperado, Con Air, Armageddon, The Grey Zone, and Ghost World.
During 9/11, Buscemi worked 12-hour shifts as a firefighter searching for the survivors. He stated, “”It was a privilege to be able to do it. It was great to connect with the firehouse I used to work with and with some of the guys I worked alongside. And it was enormously helpful for me because while I was working, I didn’t really think about it as much, feel it as much.” There were very few pictures and interviews of him during this time because his motive was in no way for publicity. He was born with the urge to help others and that did not go away once he became an actor.
In 2013, the Brotherhood of Fire Facebook page brought attention to Bruscemi’s courageous act. They wrote the following:
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“Do you recognise this man? Do you know his name? Lots of people know he’s an actor, and that his name is Steve Buscemi. What very few people realize is that he was once one of New York’s Bravest.“
“In 1976 Steve Buscemi took the FDNY civil service test when he was just 18 years old. In 1980 Steve Buscemi became a New York City Firefighters. For four years, Buscemi served on one of FDNY’s busiest, Engine Co. 55 in Manhattan’s Little Italy. He later left the fire service to become a successful actor, writer, and director.“
“After 9/11/2001… Brother Buscemi returned to FDNY Engine 55.
“On September 12, 2001, and for several days following Brother Steve worked 12-hour shifts alongside other firefighters digging and sifting through the rubble from the World Trade Center looking for survivors.“
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- Main Image: Instagram
