Fans have voiced their anger after hearing Steve Buscemi was hospitalized after being attacked by an unknown assailant in New York City.
The Boardwalk Empire star, best known for his portrayal of Enoch “Nucky” Thompson in the HBO series, became the latest victim of a random act of violence in the Big Apple.
On Wednesday (May 8), the 66-year-old star was walking near the corner of Third Avenue and East 27th Street in the Kips Bay neighborhood at around 11:48AM when he was approached by a man.
According to The New York Times, the man, who was a total stranger, punched Buscemi before walking away.
The Fargo star suffered swelling to his face and left eye and was taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment.
The NYPD released surveillance pictures of the alleged attacker, a bearded man sporting a baseball cap, a blue t-shirt, and black sweatpants.
While authorities did not reveal Buscemi as the victim, his publicist issued a statement on Sunday (May 12) confirming that the actor was the man who had been attacked.
“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Mid-Town Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” Buscemi’s publicist said, per the outlet.
“He is ok and appreciates everyone’s well wishes, though incredibly sad for everyone that this has happened to while also walking the streets of New York,” they added.
A worker who witnessed the incident spoke to The New York Post and said: “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," they continued. "It worries me for when we close because we close at 11 and it can get scary around that time," the woman, who asked to be identified only as Nat, added.
Many fans have now taken to social media to express their outrage at the suspect who randomly attacked the treasured actor, who has a career that has spanned four decades.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: "Whoever physically harmed Steve Buscemi should be publicly flogged. The f***ing audacity. That man is a goddamn national treasure. He is NOT TO BE HARMED.
"Anyone else riding at… well, not exactly dawn, but like 8am? Has Goodman been called in? This calls for some Walter," they added.
Another user said: "I don't know who punched Steve Buscemi but we hunting em down. No respect for a king. New York, get your s*** together."
A third commented: "I want the head of whoever hit Steve Buscemi on a spike by sundown," while a fourth added: "Whoever punched Steve Buscemi should have to wait tables in the US for the rest of their lives and never get tipped."
Actor Michael Rapaport also chimed in, writing: "This sick motherless p***k sent Steve Buscemi to the hospital today.
"He randomly attacked him, punching him in the face. Steve is the salt of the earth. A former firefighter who worked onsite 9/11, great artist, and easily one of the kindest and most generous people you could meet," he added.
The NYPD has disclosed that no arrests have been made and that the investigation was continuing.