Valley Stream native Buscemi traces his roots on NBC show

Valley Streamer Steve Buscemi has been all the rage lately with his Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award wins for the HBO series, “Boardwalk Empire.”

This Class of 1975 Valley Stream Central High School graduate, actor, writer and director has recently been featured on the NBC show “Who Do You Think You Are?” where Buscemi was on a search to find out more about his roots. On the show, Buscemi meets with his parents, John and Dorothy, in their Valley Stream home to discuss their family tree.

The NBC show featured shots of Buscemi driving in Valley Stream, much like scenes in his directorial debut, “Trees Lounge,” filmed locally in 1997. During takes of this film, John Tufarelli, now a village trustee, recalls meeting him at the Wheeler Deli he formerly owned. “[Buscemi] and three other people came in and ordered 75 sandwiches, I laughed because I thought they were joking, but, we got it done,” said Tufarelli. “Watching him in the movie and having met him in person, I see that he is a regular family guy who never forgot who he was and where he came from…it was great to see him on ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ and see he still hasn’t changed.”

While Buscemi gained most of his interest in acting as a child making home videos, he also studied the art in his later high school years under the direction of Lynne C. Lappin at Central High. Over the years, the performing arts department at Central has developed significantly and students are more interested in the arts then ever before.

Valley Stream Central High School graduate Meagan Robar, 25, who stars in the off-Broadway hit “My Big Gay Italian Wedding,” says she has a lot in common with Buscemi. Robar said she “feels incredibly inspired by Steve Buscemi. He’s so unique and growing up in the same town makes me feel like dreams do come true.”

Robar said would love to follow in his footsteps from theater to television and film. Her sense of family is what drives her to succeed and this off-Broadway show could be just the start of Robar’s career. “I’m ready and hoping to see my name in lights,” she said.

Over the years, Steve Buscemi has made Valley Stream residents extremely proud of his work and dedication to his craft while inspiring and motivating young actors to continue to work hard and pursue their dreams. Buscemi was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award as part of the 75th anniversary celebration of Valley Stream Central High School in 2005.