Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Every 9/11, People Remember How Steve Buscemi Was Once A NYC Fire Fighter Who Helped Search For Survivors

Every 9/11, People Remember How Steve Buscemi Was Once A NYC Fire Fighter Who Helped Search For Survivors

Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images

The nation and the world changed forever 18 years ago on September 11th, 2001.

After the World Trade Center twin towers in New York City fell, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), New York Police Department (NYPD), New York Port Authority, New York Transit Authority and others associated with the safety and security of the city were forced to sift through the wreckage of the buildings that killed their coworkers, looking for survivors.

Among those rescue workers was actor Steve Buscemi.


Buscemi, before becoming an actor, was an active fighter in the FDNY's Engine Co. 55 in Little Italy, Manhattan, from 1980 to 1984.

On the day the towers fell, Buscemi showed up at Engine Co. 55 and worked 12 hour shifts for the following week, sifting through the rubble of the towers.



So why no glossy photos of Buscemi striding through the scene with an entourage, smiling for the cameras?

Because unlike others, Buscemi did not do it for the publicity.

In fact, Buscemi stayed far away from cameras during his time working back at his old station house.



When asked, the actor said:

"It was a privilege to be able to do it."

Buscemi added:

"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."





Buscemi categorically refused interviews and photos while helping at the wreckage.

343 firefighters died in the September 11th attacks, protecting and rescuing others.

Many more have become ill or died since because of toxic fumes and harmful contaminants in and around the sites.




Reflecting on what happened, Buscemi said:

"It wasn't until I stopped that I really felt the full impact of what had happened. It would have been much harder for me to get through it if I hadn't been able to do that."


Buscemi's service is remembered every year on the anniversary of the attacks, as is the service of the rest of the rescue workers and volunteers like the many union iron workers who sprang into action on that terrible day.

In addition to being a stand up guy, Buscemi is a celebrated artist. Whether the part is small or large, he always delivers a memorable character.

Just some of the available highlights from this award winning actor's career are:

********

Listen to the first four episodes of George Takei's podcast, 'Oh Myyy Pod!' where we explore the racially charged videos that have taken the internet by storm.

Be sure to subscribe here and never miss an episode.

More from Trending

Jesse Watters
Fox News

Jesse Watters Dragged After Adding Another Mind-Boggling Rule For 'Real Men'

Fox News host Jesse Watters, who is apparently an authority of what it means to be a manly man, gave jazz hands to make a point about how "real men" should or shouldn't wave.

The target of his ridicule was Tim Walz, the enthusiastic Democratic Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate who often greets the public by raising both hands in the air to wave.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of crowd at town hall and Rep. Mike Flood
@MorePerfectUS/X; KETV NewsWatch 7

GOP Rep. Goes Viral For His Response To Crowd Chanting 'Tax The Rich' At Town Hall

Nebraska Republican Representative Mike Flood was criticized following his incredulous response to a crowd that chanted "Tax the rich!" during a town hall meeting.

The Columbus High School auditorium hosted the town hall on Tuesday evening, drawing "nearly 380" attendees, according to local network KETV Omaha. The event was lively, with Flood facing both sharp criticism over Trump administration policies and some appreciation for showing up in person.

Keep ReadingShow less
Elon Musk
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Awkward Typo In Elon Musk's Bizarre 'Education Department' Trump Meme Is A Total Self-Own

Billionaire Elon Musk was widely mocked after he celebrated President Donald Trump's executive order to begin to dismantle the Department of Education (DOE) by posting a meme of Trump at the department's grave, only for an awkward misspelling to get all the attention.

Polling indicates that eliminating the Education Department is largely unpopular, with 60% of registered voters opposing the move, according to a Quinnipiac University survey conducted March 6-10. Support stands at 33%, with opposition particularly strong among Democrats—98% oppose it, while just 1% support it.

Keep ReadingShow less
JB Pritzker; Donald Trump
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Dem Governor Reveals Trump's Bonkers Demand In Exchange For Equipment During COVID

Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker revealed during a speech this week that he clashed with President Donald Trump during the first Trump administration after Trump promised necessary medical equipment during the COVID pandemic on the condition that Pritzker praise him publicly.

Five years ago, the United States was grappling with the initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country had entered shutdowns that had severe economic consequences, leaving businesses and industries on the brink of collapse.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scrabble tiles spelling the word scam
Scam spelled with scrabbles on a wooden table

People Break Down How They Realized An Entire Industry Was A Total Scam

We unfortunately live in a world where scams are on the rise.

Thankfully, some of them are pretty easy to detect, such as an automated call from the IRS telling you a warrant is out for your arrest, or an email claiming to be from Amazon or the USPS asking for your credit card information, only to look closer and see the email address is a yahoo account.

Keep ReadingShow less