Steve Buscemi, renowned for his roles in “Boardwalk Empire” and other acclaimed films, was attacked in a random act of violence on the streets of New York City. The incident, which occurred last Wednesday around midday in the Kips Bay area of Manhattan, left the 66-year-old actor with facial swelling and a bruised left eye.
Buscemi was walking with a woman near Third Avenue when he was suddenly struck by an assailant wielding a belt. The impact caused him to fall backward, but he quickly got up and fled in the opposite direction, seeking safety. A local worker, identified only as Nat, witnessed part of the assault and described seeing Buscemi trip and fall.
Following the attack, Buscemi was treated at Bellevue Hospital. His publicist later confirmed the incident, expressing the actor’s dismay over the violence but also his gratitude for public concern. The New York Police Department has since released surveillance images of the suspect, described as a bearded man wearing a baseball cap and casual attire.
Buscemi, a beloved New York native and former firefighter, is well-known for his community involvement and his heroic actions during the 9/11 attacks, when he rejoined his old fire company to help at Ground Zero. His career spans several decades with notable performances in movies like “Fargo” and “Reservoir Dogs.”
This attack adds to a worrying trend of random violence on the streets of New York, including a similar incident involving Michael Stuhlbarg, another actor from “Boardwalk Empire,” earlier in the year. These events have raised concerns about safety in the city, especially for its more recognizable residents.