Hollywood star Steve Buscemi was reportedly beaten bloody on the streets of New York City last week.
A spokesman for Buscemi, who is best known for his role as Enoch Thompson in HBO’s hit show “Boardwalk Empire,” said it was a random, unprovoked attack.
“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” according to his publicist’s statement on Sunday. “He is ok and appreciates everyone’s well wishes.”
The 66-year-old actor was assaulted just before noon Wednesday in midtown Manhattan and had to be taken to a nearby hospital with injuries to his left eye, including bruising, swelling, and bleeding. According to The New York Post, the attacker fled the scene and has not yet been apprehended.
The New York Police Department issued a statement on the assault without naming Buscemi as the victim. They released surveillance photos of the suspect, who was last seen wearing a baseball hat, blue t-shirt, black sweatpants, and white sneakers.
They’re asking the public for help identifying the alleged attacker.
This piece of crap attacked Steve Buscemi today. Completely unprovoked and random. New York City is no longer safe. pic.twitter.com/DN8zz131Zn
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) May 13, 2024
A worker in the area who witnessed part of the assault told The New York Post, “I saw he was with a woman, and then through the corner of the window I saw him trip and fall backwards. He right away got up and ran in the opposite direction. I didn’t see who hit him.”
Buscemi, a Brooklyn native, is a beloved figure in New York City. He is a former New York firefighter who assisted his old team at Ground Zero during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
This incident comes just weeks after one of Buscemi’s “Boardwalk Empire” co-stars, Michael Stuhlbarg, was attacked with a rock while walking in Manhattan’s Central Park. Stuhlbarg managed to chase down his attacker, later identified as 27-year-old Xavier Israel, a homeless man who was taken into custody outside the park.