Actor John Turturro Learned to Pick Pockets for New Film About a Caregiver

John Turturro practiced lifting wallets from tight jeans and unzipped backpacks in preparation for his latest role. The 69-year-old actor stars in the new film The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, where he plays Harry, a skilled thief who also serves as the primary caretaker for his catatonic wife.

The character's life changes when he steals the backpack of a college student. That student turns out to be the grandson of a crime boss. To master the physical demands of the part, Turturro trained with Apollo Robbins, a well-known sleight-of-hand artist. Robbins coached the actor on misdirection and provided specific exercises. Turturro says he practiced constantly in the production office and on set.

Turturro notes that horizontal pockets in tight jeans are difficult to access, while back pockets are easier. He adds that a purse or backpack with an incompletely zipped opening offers the best opportunity. This attention to detail is part of his approach to complex characters. He has played morally dubious figures in films including The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and Do the Right Thing. In recent years, he has appeared in television series such as The Night Of, The Plot Against America, and Severance.

He describes himself as a student who seeks out the unknown. Turturro says he is drawn to roles that require him to learn new skills. He finds excitement in the possibility of failure. This willingness to take risks aligns with his personal history. Turturro spent years acting as the legal guardian for his late brother, who had schizophrenia. He managed residences, hired aides, and supervised their care. His brother could be abusive and unpredictable, requiring Turturro to remain on high alert.

Turturro recalls bringing food to his brother during hospital stays at New York Presbyterian. On bad days, his brother would throw the food at him. He had to decide whether to leave or stay. He says his brother had a major effect on his life. His brother once told him, "I've given you a lot of material." Turturro replied that he was right, but at a high cost. He learned a lot about human behavior and how to protect himself.

His upbringing also shaped his understanding of volatility. His father suffered from PTSD after being blown up on a destroyer during World War II. Turturro grew up in the middle of that tension. He became a protector for his mother. He says the environment was like a real-life acting class. He learned to diffuse situations and understand stillness. He grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Hollis, Queens, before moving to an Italian, Irish, and Jewish neighborhood in Rosedale.

In Rosedale, people assumed he was Puerto Rican. He found this more aggressive than his earlier experiences in Hollis. He credits these diverse backgrounds for helping him navigate a multicultural world. He says this shared experience bonded him with Spike Lee. When Lee showed him the screenplay for Do the Right Thing, Turturro said he knew people like the characters. He wanted to play the racist pizza seller because the role exposed the reality of the situation. He had worked in a pizzeria before and recognized the type.

Turturro says aging has given him a fuller toolbox as an actor. He cannot jump as high or run as fast, but he can be more precise. He values stillness and experience. He sees the character Harry as someone who has lived a lot of life. Turturro says he feels rich in that way right now.