Steve Buscemi recently made headlines when he stepped in to help break up a brawl in Dalkey, Ireland, according to local reports. The actor, widely known for his roles in Reservoir Dogs, The Big Lebowski, and the hit series Boardwalk Empire, was in town to film the upcoming season of Tim Burton’s Wednesday.
Witness OisÃn Heavey shared that he saw Buscemi dining at Bubba’s Fish Market on Saturday night. After finishing his meal, the actor encountered a chaotic fight unfolding outside, capturing the attention of a large crowd.
“When we went outside, there was actually a very vicious fight going on, and that’s what everybody was looking at,” Heavey recalled. Although Buscemi was close to the altercation, he refrained from directly stepping in. Instead, he reportedly hovered over one of the individuals on the ground for a few moments, which ultimately led to the fight dissipating.
While some bystanders believed he had instigated a resolution, Heavey emphasized that Buscemi’s presence alone was commendable. “He tried to help, which is more than most people would do,” Heavey added.
Once the situation calmed down, Buscemi resumed his evening. Heavey described the actor, who had shared a table with him and his wife, as “nice, friendly, and engaging.”
In Wednesday, Buscemi takes on the role of Barry Dort, the new head teacher of Nevermore Academy, stepping in for Gwendoline Christie. The show has shifted production from Romania to Ireland for its second season, slated for release on Netflix in 2025.
In a separate incident, earlier this year, Buscemi was assaulted in broad daylight in Midtown Manhattan, suffering injuries to his left eye. Following the attack, he was taken to Bellevue Hospital but was reported to be okay. His publicist commented that he was saddened by the random act of violence but appreciated the support from his fans.
After the assault made headlines, many fans expressed their outrage on social media, causing Buscemi to trend on X (formerly Twitter). The NYPD later arrested an individual thought to be involved in the attack.
Residing in Brooklyn, Buscemi has a strong connection to New York City. He was honored with the key to the city in 2021 and has a history of serving as a firefighter with Engine Company No. 55 from 1980 to 1984, even returning to volunteer after the 9/11 attacks.