Steve Buscemi's Best Roles

There was a lot riding on Boardwalk Empire when it debuted last year. With a master filmmaker at the helm (Martin Scorcese) and an ambitious budget, the show could have either returned some of HBO's lost critical luster or crashed and burned as an overreaching misfire.

Luckily the show hit, especially in its highly celebrated second season. Many factors contributed to this, but certainly one of the biggest was Buscemi's lead role as corrupt politician Enoch "Nucky" Thompson. An opportunity like Boardwalk Empire is the kind of thing character actors (like, say, James Gandolfini) dream of, and Buscemi relishes the role with typical gusto. On a personal note, I'm upset my parents didn't name me Enoch. I would have also settled for Nucky.

For many of us, this was the first indication that our wonderful world held a hyper-active squirrel of an actor named Steve Buscemi. Reservoir Dogs was not his film debut, but it might as well have been. As Tarantino's star began to rise with the film, so did Buscemi's. His self-serving yet rational Mr. Pink pretty much steals the show from one of cinema's more masculine casts. No matter what else happens, this is probably the one he'll be remembered for, and he didn't even have to get his ear cut off.

Even with a cool catchphrase like, "I'm not gonna debate with you, Jerry," and a couple scenes where he acts through a shot-up face, the number one thing we remember about Buscemi in Fargo is his leg going into the wood chipper. While that may not have much to do with his acting, it's still an honor to take part in one of cinema's most famous murders. Regardless the reason, this is still one of his best, most recognizable roles. It also heralds an end to the "facial hair" phase of Buscemi's career.

A lot of people don't know this, but despite being associated largely with gritty crime films, Steve Buscemi actually got his start in stand-up comedy. Of course, it's no secret now that the guy is capable of being really funny. Just look at those eyes.

Or, for those unwilling to be rude, you could look at his occasional guest spots on 30 Rock as Jack Donaghy's private eye of choice, Lenny Wosniak. Lenny may be a little off his rocker, but he gets the job done. Along with Dr. Spacemen and The Beeper King, he stands as one of 30 Rock's most reliably funny guest stars.