Honestly, it’s hard to imagine the 1999 classic Big Daddy without that one guy. You know the one. He’s disheveled, he’s oddly intense about breakfast meats, and he somehow ends up being the emotional moral compass in a courtroom full of lawyers. I’m talking about Big Daddy Steve Buscemi—or, as he’s officially credited, the "Homeless Guy."
If you grew up in the late 90s, Buscemi was everywhere. But his role in this Adam Sandler hit hit different. It wasn't just a cameo; it was a masterclass in how to take a character with zero backstories and turn them into a legend.
Why the Homeless Guy in Big Daddy Still Works
Most actors would play a "homeless guy" role as a background prop. Not Steve. He brought this jittery, high-stakes energy to every second he was on screen. Think back to the McDonald’s scene. Sonny Koufax (Sandler) is trying to get Julian a Sausage McMuffin, but they’re four seconds late.
The tension is real.
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Buscemi’s character isn’t just standing there; he’s a participant in the chaos. When he negotiates for that McMuffin with hash browns, you actually believe it’s the most important transaction of his life. That’s the magic of Big Daddy Steve Buscemi. He treats the absurd with total sincerity.
The Courtroom Scene: More Than Just Jokes
The movie’s climax takes place in a courtroom where Sonny is fighting for custody of Julian. It’s supposed to be heartwarming and a little silly. Then, Buscemi’s character takes the stand.
- He testifies with the passion of a Shakespearean lead.
- He gets into a screaming match with Nazo the delivery guy (Rob Schneider) over the merits of spaghetti and meatballs.
- He reveals a deeply personal, albeit hilarious, rift with his own father over an involuntary military crew-cut.
This is where the character transcends being a punchline. He actually helps Sonny win the room over. He represents the "outsider" who sees the truth in Sonny’s unconventional parenting. It’s weirdly beautiful in a way only a Happy Madison production can pull off.
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The Buscemi-Sandler Connection
People often ask why Steve Buscemi shows up in so many Adam Sandler movies. They’re actually close friends in real life. Their professional relationship started way back in the early 90s.
Buscemi has appeared in Airheads, Billy Madison, The Wedding Singer, Mr. Deeds, and Hubie Halloween, just to name a few. But Big Daddy Steve Buscemi remains the fan favorite. It’s the perfect intersection of Buscemi’s indie-film grit and Sandler’s broad, mainstream comedy.
Fun Facts You Might Have Missed
- The McDonald’s Timeline: In the film, breakfast ends at 10:30 AM. In 2026, we have all-day breakfast (mostly), making the central conflict of that scene a relic of the past.
- The "Skoova Steve" Confusion: A lot of people mix up the Homeless Guy with "Scuba Steve." Scuba Steve is the action figure; Buscemi is the guy who just wants his hash browns.
- Real-Life Heroism: It’s worth noting that while Buscemi plays a chaotic character here, he’s a former FDNY firefighter who returned to his old station to help during 9/11. That depth of character is probably why even his "silly" roles feel so grounded.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that Buscemi’s role was improvised. While the set was definitely loose, the script (written by Steve Franks, Tim Herlihy, and Sandler) had these beats planned out. Buscemi’s genius wasn't just making stuff up; it was his specific delivery.
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The way he says "I thought it was 11:00" regarding the breakfast cutoff? That’s not just a line. It’s a tragedy.
How to Appreciate the Role Today
If you’re revisiting Big Daddy on a streaming service this weekend, pay attention to the background. Buscemi isn't just in the big scenes. His presence looms over the New York City setting of the film. He represents the "real" New York that exists alongside Sonny’s lazy, law-school-grad lifestyle.
To truly get the most out of the Big Daddy Steve Buscemi experience:
- Watch the "Breakfast at McDonald’s" scene and look at his eyes when he mentions the hash browns.
- Compare this performance to his role as Mr. Pink in Reservoir Dogs. The "no tipping" speech and the "McMuffin" speech share the same frantic, logical-yet-insane DNA.
- Look for the subtle ways he mimics Julian (Cole/Dylan Sprouse) throughout the movie.
Next time you’re stuck in a debate about the best supporting characters in 90s cinema, bring up the Homeless Guy. He’s the heart of the movie, wrapped in a very questionable coat.
To see more of this iconic duo's work, check out the 2025 release of Happy Gilmore 2, where the Sandler-Buscemi partnership continues to thrive.