Steve Buscemi returned to his job as a firefighter to help search for survivors after the devastating 9/11 terrorist attacks .

The actor - who went on to star in the likes of Reservoir Dogs, The Sopranos, The Big Lebowski and Monsters, Inc. after moving into the film industry in 1984 - worked 12 hour shifts to help hunt through the rubble alongside firemen from his former station.

A Facebook post on the Fire Brotherhood wrote in 2013: "After 9/11/2001... Brother Buscemi returned to FDNY Engine 55.

(Image: FireBrotherhood/facebook) (Image: askmerob/twitter)

"On September 12, 2001 and for several days following Brother Steve worked 12-hour shifts alongside other firefighters digging and sifting through the rubble from the World Trade Center looking for survivors.

"Very few photographs and no interviews exist because he declined them. He wasn't there for the publicity."

(Image: PA)

Buscemi remained tight lipped at the time, doing what he could to stay out of the limelight for the brave action.

When it was revealed three years ago, the actor spoke out about his efforts and described it as "a privilege".

(Image: Getty Images)

He said: "It was a privilege to be able to do it. It was great to connect with the firehouse I used to work with and with some of the guys I worked alongside.

"And it was enormously helpful for me because while I was working, I didn’t really think about it as much, feel it as much."