Claim: Steve Buscemi appeared in a 1996 American black comedy.
Evidence: He made his directorial debut in 1996 , with Trees Lounge , in which he also starred.
The film 's black humor , based on examination of characters ' self-destructive behavior , has been cited as an influence by The Sopranos creator David Chase , who later hired Buscemi to direct `` Pine Barrens '' and three other episodes of the show , and to star as Tony Soprano 's cousin Tony Blundetto during the show 's fifth season.