Nobody appears to be safe on the streets of New York City these days, including popular hometown actor and Brooklyn native Steve Buscemi.
Buscemi, 66, was walking through Kips Bay last week when a thug approached and punched the “Boardwalk Empire” star in broad daylight, one of the latest unprovoked assaults in the five boroughs, law enforcement sources told The Post.
The actor developed swelling in his face and left eye, and he was brought to Bellevue Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, his psychotic assailant fled, according to police.
Steve Buscemi, another victim of a random act of violence in the city
“Steve Buscemi was assaulted in Midtown Manhattan, another victim of a random act of violence in the city,” Buscemi’s publicist said in a statement.
“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.”
According to police, the random attack occurred around 11:48 a.m. on Wednesday in front of 369 Third Ave.
“I saw he was with a woman, and then through the corner of the window I saw him trip and fall backwards,” a worker in the area who witnessed part of the assault told The Post. “He right away got up and ran in the opposite direction. I didn’t see who hit him.
“It worries me for when we close because we close at 11, and it can get scary around that time,” said the woman, who asked to be identified only as Nat.
The NYPD revealed security photographs of the alleged attacker, a bearded man dressed in a baseball cap, blue t-shirt, and black sweatpants.
The actor, a former FDNY firefighter, has four decades of film experience, including appearances in award-winning films such as “Fargo” and “Reservoir Dogs.”
Buscemi received widespread recognition for his depiction of corrupt Atlantic City politician Enoch “Nucky” Thompson in HBO’s hit series “Boardwalk Empire.”
Buscemi’s attacker is still at large
Last week’s unprovoked attack makes him the second actor from the famous series to be targeted by random New York City street violence this year.
On March 31, actor Michael Stuhbarg, who plays gangster Arnold Rothstein on the show, went out for a run on the Upper East Side when he was hit in the back of the neck with a rock.
The NYPD detained a deranged vagrant, Xavier Israel, 27, in connection with the assault, which occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. near East 90th Street and East Drive.
Israel had previously been arrested for violence and robbery in 2022.
Meanwhile, an NYPD spokeswoman confirmed Sunday that Buscemi’s attacker is still at large.
