Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi reportedly opened up on Thursday about his experiences with post-traumatic stress due to his role in rescue efforts after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Speaking on the WTF podcast with Marc Maron, the veteran actor, who worked as a firefighter in the 1980s and volunteered during 9/11 rescue efforts, spoke of his struggles, saying in the aftermath he was depressed, anxious and “couldn’t make a simple decision.”
Buscemi reportedly told Maron he reached out to his old station on the day of the attacks before traveling to ground zero, according to The New York Post.
“I asked if I could join them,” Buscemi told Maron, “I could tell they were a little suspicious at first, but I worked with them that day.”
The “Reservoir Dogs” star, who says he’s been able to cope with the mental challenges, said he has not experienced any major health set-backs after the trauma.
“I haven’t experienced any health issues, and I get myself checked out — but definitely, yeah, post-traumatic stress? Absolutely,” admitted Buscemi.
“I was only there for like five days, but when I stopped going and tried to just live my life again, it was really, really hard,” he continued.
To this day, Buscemi told Maron, the memories live on with him.
“There are times when I talk about 9/11 and I’m right back there,” Buscemi said. “I start to get choked up and I realize, ‘Ah, this is still a big part of me.’”