Name Pronunciation Revelations: Steve Buscemi and Denzel Washington Set the Record Straight
Steve Buscemi recently revealed that many people mispronounce his last name, including himself. During an appearance on The Tonight Show, he discussed the various ways his surname has been pronounced, ultimately settling on "Boo-shemi" as his preferred pronunciation. Buscemi explained that while the Italian pronunciation is "Bruscemi," he grew up saying "Bue-semi" and now uses a combination of both. He joked that he doesn't even know how to say his own name and shared a humorous anecdote from his stand-up comedy days when he went by the name "Buce."
In a similar revelation, Denzel Washington clarified the pronunciation of his first name on Jimmy Kimmel Live, explaining that it is actually "Den-zull" rather than "Den-zell." Washington revealed that his mother gave him the name to distinguish him from his father, Denzel Washington, Sr., and shared the story behind the pronunciation change.
During his interview, Buscemi also discussed his role as Barry Dort in the Netflix series Wednesday, expressing his initial intimidation at joining the established cast. Despite his nerves, Buscemi praised the show and his co-stars, including Tim Burton and Jenna Ortega, whom he had worked with before. The actor reflected on the experience of joining a beloved series and the excitement of playing a villainous character.
It has been a week of name revelations in the entertainment industry, with both Buscemi and Washington setting the record straight on the pronunciation of their names. Fans can watch Buscemi's full interview on The Tonight Show to hear more about his career and experiences in the industry.