Steve Buscemi Unrecognizable in High School Yearbook Photo: ‘Kind of Weird’ originally appeared on Parade.
Steve Buscemi is an acting legend, with iconic roles in movies like Fargo and Reservoir Dogs. He also has a cameo in Adam Sandler‘s upcoming Happy Gilmore 2 and plays the high school principal in Season 2 of Wednesday.
But in 1975, Buscemi graduated from Valley Stream Central High School, in Valley Stream, New York, on Long Island, where he was a student athlete, wrestling on the varsity team as well as being a member of the acting troupe.
During a chat with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday, July 23, when he appeared as a guest on The Late Show to promote his latest projects, he talked about his high school days.
🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬
As Colbert flashed a black and white high school photo of Buscemi on the screen, he asked the prolific actor if he was “an outcast or a normie.” In the photo, Buscemi smiled subtly, showing off his top row of teeth, while sporting a full head of dark, chin-length hair.
The short version of Buscemi’s answer is that he was a little bit of both. Then he asked, “What is a ‘normie’? We’re all kind of weird. Everybody has a weird to them.”
One commenter claimed he went to high school with Buscemi and wrote, “I went to high school with him (Valley Stream Central ‘75!). He described himself accurately here. He was popular, entertaining, and fun. A kind of regular guy, but not average at all. Happy to see him doing so well.”
Others gushed over the 67-year-old Con Air actor, with one writing, “Mr Buschemi has such a wonderful spirit. The world needs more of this guy.”
Related: Jon Stewart Issues Three-Word Response to ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ Cancellation
Another chimed in, “Love him in every movie he’s in and I think I’ve seen them all.”
Someone else wrote, “The more yоu read about Steve’s life outside of acting you appreciate how great he really is. Former fireman he got out his equipment and joined in on 911. Not for the praise or press-just because he’s That kind of guy. Massive respect!”
Steve Buscemi Unrecognizable in High School Yearbook Photo: ‘Kind of Weird’ first appeared on Parade on Jul 25, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.