#9. Steve Buscemi

You know Steve Buscemi, even if you don’t know his name. The actor and director has an unforgettable face, one that has been gracing movie and TV screens for decades.

But before Steve Buscemi appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, he started out as a 22-year-old firefighter in New York City. He was with Engine Co. 55 in Little Italy starting in 1980.

Not only that, but after 9/11 he showed up at his old firehouse and assisted with the rescue efforts, working 12-hour shifts for days on end. He refused all interviews and photo ops during that time, and later said that he was glad to have been busy so that he had time to fully process the enormity of what had just happened. Buscemi is just one of the many heroes that helped in the recovery efforts after the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Buscemi was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1957 and grew up in a household of four boys.

Buscemi is one of the most recognizable character actors in the business. His credits include Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, The Big Lebowksi, and Ghost World. Buscemi is also a talented director and has helmed such films as Trees Lounge and Animal Factory.