It seems like no one is safe on the streets of the Big Apple these days. – Not even beloved local actor and Brooklyn native Steve Buscemi.
Buscemi, 66, was walking in Kips Bay last week when the beast walked up and attacked the “Boardwalk Empire” star in broad daylight. – Law enforcement officials told The Post that it was one of several recent unprovoked assaults in the five boroughs.
The actor had swelling on his face and left eye and was taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, his deranged assailant escaped and is still at large, police officials said.
“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in midtown Manhattan, becoming the latest victim of random acts of violence in the city,” a spokesperson for Buscemi said in a statement to the Post.
“He’s okay and we appreciate everyone’s well wishes, but it’s hard for anyone to believe something like this could happen while walking down the street in New York. It’s so sad.”
Police said the random attack occurred around 11:48 a.m. Wednesday in front of 369 Third Avenue.
The actor, a former FDNY firefighter, has a film career that spans four decades, appearing in award-winning films such as “Fargo” and “Reservoir Dogs.”
Buscemi won widespread acclaim for his role as Atlantic City corrupt Paul Enoch “Nucky” Thompson on HBO’s hit series “Boardwalk Empire.”
Last week’s unprovoked attack made him the second actor from the popular franchise to be the victim of random street violence in New York City this year.
On March 31st, actor Michael Stuberg, who played gangster Arnold Rothstein on the show, was hit in the back of the neck with a rock while running on the Upper East Side.
NYPD arrested 27-year-old deranged vagrant Xavier Israel in connection with an assault that occurred near East 90th Street and East Drive around 7:45 p.m.
Israel was previously arrested in 2022 on charges of assault and robbery.
Stulberg chased the thug and ended up in the hands of police stationed outside the Russian consulate.
Meanwhile, an NYPD spokesperson said Sunday that Buscemi’s attack remains unchecked.
Buscemi is a beloved figure in his hometown of New York, where he famously rushed to the World Trade Center grounds to join former fire department Engine 55 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The former Emmy winner was one of the bravest people in New York in the 1980s.
In 2021, he dressed up as the character he played on the hit show 30 Rock and handed out candy to kids from a Park Slope stand on Halloween.
