Brute who sucker-punched Steve Buscemi in random NYC attack shares head-scratching apology as he's sent to prison
The brute who sucker-punched 'Boardwalk Empire' star Steve Buscemi in Manhattan last year mumbled a head-scratching apology Thursday — as he was sentenced to six months in jail.
Clifton Williams, 51, said he was 'sorry' for assaulting Buscemi, 67, who was taking a stroll through Kips Bay when he walked up to the Hollywood icon and slugged him in the face on May 8, 2024.
'I only maintain the fact that there was an incident brought before me between myself and Mr. Buscemi on that date, and I'm sorry,' Williams said, wearing a tan prison jumpsuit as he faced Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Melissa Lewis.
Williams, who was homeless at the time, pleaded guilty to assault charges on March 12 and was also sentenced to five years probation and two orders of protection — one against Buscemi and another person he slugged the same day.
Prosecutors have said that Williams was walking on the sidewalk near East 15th Street and Third Avenue when he struck a 22-year-old man with a closed fist in an unprovoked attack at 11:30 a.m.
Nine minutes later, Williams then walked up to Buscemi and randomly clocked him in the face, causing Buscemi to fall to the ground, according to authorities. Williams then fled from the scene.
Williams was arrested more than a week after the attack after an eagle-eyed officer recognized him at a homeless services building in Chelsea, where the attacker was complaining about having property swiped.
Buscemi, known for roles in 'Fargo' and 'Billy Madison,' was spotted days later with a black eye and a swollen cheek while shooting a commercial in Soho.
Williams claimed that he mistook Buscemi for someone else he had known and that the actor had told him that he was going to 'kick my ass' before the savage attack, court documents show.
Buscemi, who made a cameo appearance in Apple's new show 'The Studio,' was not in court for his attacker's sentencing.
A publicist for Buscemi didn't immediately respond to an inquiry from The Post.
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Geek Tyrant
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- Geek Tyrant
Dark Comedy Short Film TRAGEDIUM is FARGO Meets INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS — GeekTyrant
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I think that making stories that are far from my daily life is what keeps me alive in some way, I like to play and these stories allow me to do that, enter impossible worlds, and make them real. I really like the characters and creating scenes for them, and I was always a fan of latex, blood and ammiatronics. I am very inspired by music, sometimes it takes me to think about scenes, or watch movies that make me want to tell stories, I also like to observe everything that happens around me, and from there look for possible "what ifs" What was your favorite part of the filmmaking process for this project? What I liked most about this process was working with talented people, who I knew would improve my vision, costumes were incredible, I loved working with Alaia Arde, or for example the art department or my photo director Ernesto Baez, I think He is an export talent, he is truly a genius. 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'As long as I can use my platform to help people feel included or understood, I'm good.' A version of this story appears in the June 7, 2025, issue of Billboard. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
