Steve Buscemi reveals we’ve been pronouncing his name wrong for years

Steve Buscemi disclosed on The Tonight Show that his surname has been mispronounced for decades, sharing the correct pronunciation which he himself finds confusing. On September 3, 2025, during an appearance with Jimmy Fallon, Buscemi addressed the issue sparked by a scene in ‘The Studio’ where characters struggled with his name. He explained that while ‘Boo-shemi’ is the Italian way, he grew up with ‘Bue-semi’ but now uses ‘boo-semi’. Humorously, he admitted uncertainty, saying, ‘I don’t know how to say my own name.’ This revelation follows a similar correction by Denzel Washington just a day prior, where he clarified his name is ‘Den-zuhl’ not ‘Den-zel’, adding to a trend of celebrities setting the record straight on name pronunciations. Buscemi also recounted that during his stand-up comedy days, he shortened his name to ‘Buse’ to avoid confusion, though this led to jokes from emcees. The conversation extended to his recent role as Principal Dort in Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ Season 2, where he expressed admiration for the Addams Family franchise and the slight intimidation of joining an established series with co-stars like Jenna Ortega. Fans have reacted with surprise and amusement on social media, highlighting how such corrections foster greater respect for accurate name usage in public life. This incident may influence media practices, encouraging more precise pronunciations, while Buscemi’s light-hearted approach ensures it remains a engaging anecdote rather than a serious grievance. As he continues his prolific career, this moment adds a personal touch to his public image, reminding audiences of the human aspects behind celebrity personas.