I read the script and decide if a particular character looks fun to play. I look for complexity and a sense of humor. Those are crucial, real things to life.

In this quote, Steve Buscemi explains his approach to choosing roles in films and television. He mentions that when he reads a script, he looks for characters that are fun to play, meaning he seeks roles that provide both creative and personal enjoyment. Buscemi values characters with complexity, as they allow him to explore deeper emotions, motivations, and contradictions, which makes the role more engaging and multifaceted.

He further highlights that a sense of humor is important in the characters he portrays. This reflects Buscemi’s belief that humor is an integral part of real life, making it essential for characters to possess some element of wit, levity, or irony. Humor, in his view, adds depth to a character, making them more relatable and human. It allows him to find a balance between the serious and the lighthearted, something that makes the character more interesting to portray and more enjoyable for the audience to watch.

The combination of complexity and humor that Buscemi looks for in a role reveals his preference for multidimensional characters, who aren’t defined by just one trait but instead reflect the nuances and contradictions of real people. Characters with both complexity and humor are often more authentic, allowing actors to dive into the subtleties of the human experience, which is something Buscemi clearly values in his work.

The origin of this quote lies in Buscemi’s perspective on acting and his process of choosing roles. It reflects his deep understanding of what makes characters compelling and relatable. His emphasis on complexity and humor showcases his belief in the importance of portraying characters that are well-rounded and not just one-dimensional, which has become a hallmark of his long and diverse career in the film industry.