Steve Buscemi, the celebrated actor renowned for his roles in iconic films like “Reservoir Dogs (1992)” and “Fargo (1996),” became the latest target of an unprovoked attack in Manhattan’s Kips Bay neighborhood last week, according to a report by the New York Post.
The 66-year-old native of Brooklyn was walking along Third Avenue at approximately 11:48 a.m. last Wednesday when an unidentified assailant suddenly punched him, resulting in significant swelling, bruising and bleeding to his left eye. Buscemi was taken to Bellevue Hospital for medical attention, while the perpetrator fled the scene and is currently at-large.
“Steve was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of the random acts of violence plaguing our city,” Buscemi’s publicist told The Post.
“He is recovering and is grateful for the support of his fans and the community, although he remains deeply troubled by the rising violence.”
The NYPD has released surveillance pictures of the suspect, described as “a bearded man wearing a baseball cap, a blue t-shirt and black sweatpants.”
“The NYPD released surveillance photos of the alleged attacker, a bearded man wearing a baseball cap, a blue t-shirt and black sweatpants.”
— Anthony Cumia (@AnthonyCumia) May 12, 2024
Great description. Left something out though. https://t.co/Dz4jj87jAT pic.twitter.com/RwIE6XOQXZ
From the New York Post:
It seems no one is safe on the streets of the Big Apple these days – not even beloved hometown actor and Brooklyn native Steve Buscemi.
Buscemi, 66, was strolling through Kips Bay last week when a brute walked up and struck the “Boardwalk Empire” star in a broad-daylight attack – one of the latest unprovoked assaults in the five boroughs, law enforcement sources told The Post.
The actor suffered swelling to his face and left eye and was taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, his deranged assailant took off and is still on the lam, police sources said.
“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” Buscemi’s publicist said in a statement to The Post.
“He is ok and appreciates everyone’s well wishes, though incredibly sad for everyone that this has happened to while also walking the streets of New York.”
Cops said the random attack happened around 11:48 a.m. on Wednesday in front of 369 Third Ave.
The shocking news drew strong reactions on social media:
I don't know who punched Steve Buscemi but we hunting em down.
— VanillaGorilla (@Van1llaGorilla_) May 12, 2024
No respect for a king
New York, get your shit together pic.twitter.com/5z1KmJeRoV
Me hearing somebody punched Steve Buscemi pic.twitter.com/iqVlfkgHuf
— Lamont Price (@LPizzle) May 12, 2024
me hearing the news that steve buscemi was randomly attacked on his street in nyc pic.twitter.com/cB4P9pwf9r
— Kevin Finnerty (@timeimmemorial_) May 13, 2024
This sick motherless prick sent Steve Buscemi to the hospital today.
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) May 13, 2024
He randomly attacked him, punching him in the face. Steve is the salt of the earth. A former firefighter who worked onsite 9/11, great artist, and easily one of the kindest and most generous people you could… pic.twitter.com/F6ubjImU4P
Just a reminder that Steve Buscemi rejoined the FDNY as a volunteer after 9/11 to help rescue and recover
— 414rl yabanci 😎✌️ (@414rl1) May 13, 2024
(Before he was an actor he was a fire fighter) he risked his life to search through the rubble and NY will never forget that so you come for him you come for all of us pic.twitter.com/Gl5eYFFs6X
As Yahoo noted, this unprovoked attack is not isolated:
The broad-daylight attack is just one of the celebrity incidents that have happened over the last few years. Comic actor Rick Moranis, Michael Stuhlbarg (who was in the show Boardwalk Empirewith Buscemi), and reality star Bethenny Frankel are among those similarly victimized.
Buscemi had a swollen left eye and face from his attack and was taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment.
His assailant ran off and is still being sought.
Here’s more coverage of the random attack on Steve Buscemi:
