Steve Buscemi Criminally Good in Boardwalk Empire and the Sopranos

Actor Steve Buscemi won a 2011 Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Nucky Thompson, Prohibition era boss of Atlantic City, in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. Buscemi also portrayed a gangster in the HBO series The Sopranos. Steve Buscemi delivers complex performances that can make the bad guys seem sympathetic.

Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson in "Boardwalk Empire"

Buscemi portrays Nucky Thompson, based on historic Atlantic City treasurer Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, in the Prohibition era series 'Boardwalk Empire." The story starts in 1920, at the beginning of Prohibition, which made the sale of liquor illegal. Prohibition marked the start of a boom industry for gangsters like Al Capone, who is also a character in the show. Al Capone a Prohibition Era gangster

Nucky was a likable, but dangerous character. With his sad, thoughtful expressions, Buscemi conveys a likability that makes the viewer sympathize with him, even though he can be vicious.

Nucky was attracted to Margaret (Kelly MacDonald), who was married and pregnant. When her husband beat her so severely that she had a miscarriage, Nucky had him killed, making Margaret a widow. He soon jilted his long time mistress Lucy (Paz de la Huerta) and moved Margaret into an apartment, making her his mistress. Nucky's relationship with Margaret softened the character, showing the domestic side of the crooked politician.

Nucky's sorrow was that his wife had died and he had no children. When he discovered that Margaret was taking steps to prevent pregnancy, they argued. Although Margaret had been an honorable woman up until the time she became involved with Nucky, he did not propose marriage to her but seemed to hope that she would have his child.

It is too early to say whether his relationship with Margaret changed him for the better, the domestic scenes served to humanize the man. Margaret has shown change for the worse, as she fell further under the influence of Nucky.

Boardwalk Empire has completed its first season and will return for a second season. The series won a Golden Globe for Best Drama Series on television. Steve Buscemi won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a television drama. Boardwalk Empire on HBO a Prohibition Era Series on HBO

Steve Buscemi as Tony Blundetto in "The Sopranos"

Tony Blundetto (Buscemi) was the convict cousin of New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) in the hit HBO series "The Sopranos." His story was one of the more pathetic stories, in a series that showed that everyone in that life loses.

Blundetto was welcomed back into the crew by his cousin Tony Soprano, who had genuine affection for his cousin. Tony Blundetto had other plans. He had learned massage therapy while in prison and wanted to become a licensed massage therapist and have his own legitimate business. He dream almost came true, but he self destructed, drawn back into the life of crime. He finally made such a big mistake that Tony Soprano was forced to execute him to prevent him from being tortured by a rival gang.

Steve Buscemi turned in a performance that showed the pitfalls of going straight when surrounded by criminals. While he was attracted to the gang lifestyle, he became sadder and more tortured as he spiraled downward. The only time he looked happy was when he was pursuing his massage therapist dream.

The Tony Blundetto character returned to "The Sopranos" in an episode that showed Tony Soprano dreaming about the afterlife after being shot by Uncle Junior. The Sopranos Made in America

Steve Buscemi portrays the criminal types with the right amount of sleaze combines with a touch of pathos and a hint of sweetness that makes the viewer hope he can turn his life around.