A Casting Director Asked Steve Buscemi ‘What Is Wrong with You?' in Massive Audition Fail
'I was always hot and cold,' Buscemi explained. 'I never knew if I should wing it, cause sometimes I'd be good if I went in the room and I didn't really prepare. And then, the next time I'd do it, I would fail.'
More from IndieWire
'It' Is Back and Derry-er Than Ever: HBO Series Is the Latest in Stephen King Cinematic Universe
Jay Leno Says Late Night Hosts 'Alienate' Viewers: 'I Don't Think Anybody Wants to Hear a Lecture'
And Buscemi has auditioned for the best of the best — including 'Rain Man' filmmaker Barry Levinson when he was working on the 1987 movie 'Tin Men.' He decided he had to 'really prepare' for the meeting. 'And I studied the sides, the script, and went in there and did my reading… did my audition, and he looked at me and went, 'That was really good. That's really good, Steve. Alright. Let's do it again, but this time try it…' and he gave me a very specific note.'
Buscemi listen and took the note. He was ready for another try. 'And then I read it again the exact same way I just did,' he chuckled. 'There was this silence and we both just looked at each other. I think I even said, 'That was the same, wasn't it?' And he said, 'Yeah, it's OK, it's OK.' Needless to say, I did not get that part.'
Another time he auditioned for EGOT-winner Mike Nichols and casting director Juliet Taylor, even though he knew he had a conflict. 'My agent at the time said, 'No, no, no. Just go. When are you gonna have an opportunity to meet these people?' So off Bescemi went, and he killed it… but when he revealed he couldn't make the shooting dates, Taylor stared at him and said, 'What is wrong with you?'
Of course, Buscemi has proven himself several times over — enough to impress the Emmys (he has one on eight nominations) — in such diverse projects as 'Fargo,' '30 Rock,' 'Reservoir Dogs,' and 'Boardwalk Empire.' It's a resume that doesn't need regurgitating. He's become such a recognizable face, in fact, he can play himself on 'The Studio' in a season that also had cameos from legends like Martin Scorsese and Charlize Theron, also playing themselves.
Buscemi is far from the only famous actor to struggle with an audition — even a now-A-lister like Hugh Jackman, who has since gone from Wolverine to 'The Music Man,' bungled what might've been his big break: the Benjamin Bratt role in 'Miss Congeniality' — an experienced he described as 'humiliating.'
'No one knew X-Men yet. I was a nobody,' Jackson once told Variety, though in spite of his unknown status he had the opportunity to shoot his audition with Sandra Bullock. He recalled thinking, ''Holy shit! She's amazing! And so quick and fast. I'm not even vaguely up to speed here.' I was pedaling as fast as I could, but I didn't know the script well enough.'
Years before her own series 'Girls' made her a household name, Lena Dunham auditioned for Penny Marshall's 2001 film 'Riding in Cars With Boys,' and it did not go well… though not in a traumatic way.
'When I was 12, I met Penny Marshall in a failed audition for a film, 'Riding in Cars With Boys.' And that was really big for me,' Dunham related on 'The Jess Cagle Show.' 'I was treated actually really well. There was no cruelty. The only thing I'll say is I understand why I didn't get the role.
Dunham explained that Marshall asked each of the young performers to tell her their names, heights, where they were from, and… then… to smile. 'And I said, I'm Lena, I'm from New York, and I don't smile on command.' And Penny Marshall said, 'It's called acting, honey.''
Dunham, now an experienced director (whose 'Good Sex' is filming now with Natalie Portman, Meg Ryan, and Mark Ruffalo), now sees things Marshall's way. 'The thing is, she was right,' Dunham said. 'Would you hire an actor who is like I'm sorry, I can't smile on command?' The thing is, I'm with Penny on this one.'
You win some. You lose some. You learn some.
Watch Buscemi's full interview on 'The Late Show' below.
Best of IndieWire
Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See
'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie
Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
6 minutes ago
- CNN
American describes delivering pizza to the pope
American describes delivering pizza to the pope CNN's Laura Coates speaks with an American who traveled halfway around the world to deliver a pizza to Pope Leo. 01:12 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 16 videos American describes delivering pizza to the pope CNN's Laura Coates speaks with an American who traveled halfway around the world to deliver a pizza to Pope Leo. 01:12 - Source: CNN Justin Trudeau sings 'Firework' at Katy Perry concert Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was seen singing and dancing at a Katy Perry concert in Montreal in late July. Two days earlier, Trudeau and Perry were seen having dinner together, sparking dating rumors across social media. 00:59 - Source: CNN New research reveals origin of potatoes Scientists traced the lineage of potatoes to a wild genetic fusion about 9 million years ago between a tomato ancestor and a tuberless plant. 01:04 - Source: CNN Blake Lively to be deposed against Justin Baldoni Blake Lively is set to be deposed Thursday in her legal battle against Justin Baldoni. 00:24 - Source: CNN Amusement park ride splits in half in Saudi Arabia At least 23 people were injured, three of them critically, when a fairground ride buckled in Saudi Arabia, sending passengers crashing to the ground, according to state media. 00:33 - Source: CNN Dozens injured on Delta flight Severe turbulence struck a Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam Wednesday, causing service carts and unbelted passengers to hit the ceiling and forcing an emergency landing in Minnesota, where 25 people on board were taken to hospitals. 01:01 - Source: CNN Arrest made in Arkansas hiking murders A man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a married couple attacked and killed while hiking with their two young daughters at a state park in the Ozark Mountains, according to the Arkansas State Police. 00:45 - Source: CNN Crypto attack on OnlyFans streamer caught on camera Several crypto investors, including streamer and content creator Kaitlyn 'Amouranth' Siragusa, have been targeted in a series of violent attacks by gangs attempting to access their crypto wallets. Blockchain intelligence firms believe that the perceived anonymity and irreversibility of crypto transactions make investors an attractive target. 02:05 - Source: CNN High Noon recalls vodka seltzer mislabeled as Celsius High Noon has issued a voluntary recall after mislabeling some of its vodka seltzer as Celsius energy drinks. The FDA says no adverse events or illnesses have been reported. 00:55 - Source: CNN Jet2 holiday singer speaks out after White House uses meme British singer Jess Glynne responded to the White House's decision to use the viral TikTok sound, which includes her 2015 song "Hold My Hand" and Jet2's commercial. Glynne criticized the White House for using the audio to show the ongoing mass deportations in the United States. 01:10 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute as emotional Sharon Osbourne lays flowers at Ozzy memorial Thousands of fans paid their respects to Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse made its way through the streets of Birmingham, the English city where he grew up and where the band was formed in 1968. Osbourne died last Tuesday at the age of 76. 00:46 - Source: CNN Shannon Sharpe out at ESPN after settling sexual assault lawsuit Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe, who has been one of the faces of ESPN's morning sports debate show 'First Take,' is no longer with the network, a source with knowledge of the situation told CNN. 00:54 - Source: CNN Crocodile gets caught underneath moving truck A bystander captured video of a crocodile caught underneath a truck driving through high water in Australia at Kakadu National Park. 00:25 - Source: CNN Beyoncé brings out Destiny's Child during final show Beyoncé reunited Destiny's Child during her concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland joining her on stage to perform a medley of the group's biggest hits, as part of her final Cowboy Carter show. 00:45 - Source: CNN Gwyneth Paltrow joins Astronomer as temporary spokesperson Actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in a new ad for Astronomer, the tech firm whose former CEO and human resources chief were caught in an awkward moment on a Jumbotron at a Coldplay concert last week. Paltrow is the ex-wife of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. 00:51 - Source: CNN 'South Park' skewers Trump after signing new Paramount deal In their first episode of the season, the creators of "South Park" mocked President Donald Trump and Paramount after they just signed a new $1.5 billion contract. Paramount is looking to merge with Skydance Media and needs the Trump-influenced FCC to approve the deal. 01:24 - Source: CNN
CNN
17 minutes ago
- CNN
American describes delivering pizza to the pope
American describes delivering pizza to the pope CNN's Laura Coates speaks with an American who traveled halfway around the world to deliver a pizza to Pope Leo. 01:12 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 16 videos American describes delivering pizza to the pope CNN's Laura Coates speaks with an American who traveled halfway around the world to deliver a pizza to Pope Leo. 01:12 - Source: CNN Justin Trudeau sings 'Firework' at Katy Perry concert Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was seen singing and dancing at a Katy Perry concert in Montreal in late July. Two days earlier, Trudeau and Perry were seen having dinner together, sparking dating rumors across social media. 00:59 - Source: CNN New research reveals origin of potatoes Scientists traced the lineage of potatoes to a wild genetic fusion about 9 million years ago between a tomato ancestor and a tuberless plant. 01:04 - Source: CNN Blake Lively to be deposed against Justin Baldoni Blake Lively is set to be deposed Thursday in her legal battle against Justin Baldoni. 00:24 - Source: CNN Amusement park ride splits in half in Saudi Arabia At least 23 people were injured, three of them critically, when a fairground ride buckled in Saudi Arabia, sending passengers crashing to the ground, according to state media. 00:33 - Source: CNN Dozens injured on Delta flight Severe turbulence struck a Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam Wednesday, causing service carts and unbelted passengers to hit the ceiling and forcing an emergency landing in Minnesota, where 25 people on board were taken to hospitals. 01:01 - Source: CNN Arrest made in Arkansas hiking murders A man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of a married couple attacked and killed while hiking with their two young daughters at a state park in the Ozark Mountains, according to the Arkansas State Police. 00:45 - Source: CNN Crypto attack on OnlyFans streamer caught on camera Several crypto investors, including streamer and content creator Kaitlyn 'Amouranth' Siragusa, have been targeted in a series of violent attacks by gangs attempting to access their crypto wallets. Blockchain intelligence firms believe that the perceived anonymity and irreversibility of crypto transactions make investors an attractive target. 02:05 - Source: CNN High Noon recalls vodka seltzer mislabeled as Celsius High Noon has issued a voluntary recall after mislabeling some of its vodka seltzer as Celsius energy drinks. The FDA says no adverse events or illnesses have been reported. 00:55 - Source: CNN Jet2 holiday singer speaks out after White House uses meme British singer Jess Glynne responded to the White House's decision to use the viral TikTok sound, which includes her 2015 song "Hold My Hand" and Jet2's commercial. Glynne criticized the White House for using the audio to show the ongoing mass deportations in the United States. 01:10 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute as emotional Sharon Osbourne lays flowers at Ozzy memorial Thousands of fans paid their respects to Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse made its way through the streets of Birmingham, the English city where he grew up and where the band was formed in 1968. Osbourne died last Tuesday at the age of 76. 00:46 - Source: CNN Shannon Sharpe out at ESPN after settling sexual assault lawsuit Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe, who has been one of the faces of ESPN's morning sports debate show 'First Take,' is no longer with the network, a source with knowledge of the situation told CNN. 00:54 - Source: CNN Crocodile gets caught underneath moving truck A bystander captured video of a crocodile caught underneath a truck driving through high water in Australia at Kakadu National Park. 00:25 - Source: CNN Beyoncé brings out Destiny's Child during final show Beyoncé reunited Destiny's Child during her concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland joining her on stage to perform a medley of the group's biggest hits, as part of her final Cowboy Carter show. 00:45 - Source: CNN Gwyneth Paltrow joins Astronomer as temporary spokesperson Actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in a new ad for Astronomer, the tech firm whose former CEO and human resources chief were caught in an awkward moment on a Jumbotron at a Coldplay concert last week. Paltrow is the ex-wife of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. 00:51 - Source: CNN 'South Park' skewers Trump after signing new Paramount deal In their first episode of the season, the creators of "South Park" mocked President Donald Trump and Paramount after they just signed a new $1.5 billion contract. Paramount is looking to merge with Skydance Media and needs the Trump-influenced FCC to approve the deal. 01:24 - Source: CNN
Geek Tyrant
35 minutes ago
- Geek Tyrant
Awesome JAWS Poster Art From Artist Tyler Stout Pays Tribute To Quint — GeekTyrant
I had to share this great Jaws print with you that was created by artist Tyler Stout. This was a limited edition Comic-Con exclusive of only 150 prints. They sold out at the event, but I managed to score one, and this is a beautiful peice! The poster was created for CODA Gallery. Quint, the rugged shark hunter from, is one of the most unforgettable characters in cinematic history. Played masterfully by Robert Shaw, Quint is the epitome of grit and resilience, an old-school seaman with a weathered exterior and a deep-rooted trauma that fuels his obsession. What makes Quint such a powerful character isn't just his fearlessness or bravado, but the depth of his past, especially the haunting USS Indianapolis monologue that reveals the true horror he's lived through. He's not just a shark hunter; he's a man shaped by survival, driven by vengeance, and unwilling to back down. His intensity, gruff charm, and unwavering determination make him a compelling force in the story and the emotional anchor of the film's tension.
