Turturro learns to pick pockets for new crime drama

John Turturro spent months practicing the art of theft to prepare for his starring role in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. The 69-year-old actor, known for his work in films like The Big Lebowski and Do the Right Thing, plays Harry, a skilled pickpocket who serves as the primary caretaker for his catatonic wife. The character's life becomes complicated when he steals the backpack of a college student who is the grandson of a crime boss.

To get the physical movements right, Turturro trained with Apollo Robbins, a renowned sleight-of-hand artist. Robbins coached the actor on the art of misdirection, providing specific exercises to help him master the craft. Turturro says he practiced constantly in the production office and on set. He notes that back pockets are easier to pick than tight horizontal jean pockets, and that unzipped zippers on bags worn on the back present the best opportunity for a thief.

Turturro has built a career playing complex and often morally ambiguous characters. His recent television work includes the series The Night Of, The Plot Against America, and Severance. He says he is attracted to roles that allow him to explore the unknown, describing the process as mining every possible detail from a character. He finds the potential for failure in a new skill exciting rather than frightening.

The actor also discussed his personal history during the interview, including his role as the legal guardian for his late brother who had schizophrenia. He described the challenge of managing his brother's care, hiring aides, and dealing with unpredictable behavior while trying to protect the rest of his family. He also recalled growing up in a household affected by his father's PTSD from World War II, which gave him a realistic understanding of volatile characters.

Turturro credits his early life in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Hollis, Queens, and a later move to an Italian and Irish neighborhood in Rosedale for shaping his perspective. He says these experiences helped him navigate a multicultural world and bonded him with director Spike Lee. He also reflected on how aging has changed his approach to acting, noting that while he cannot move as quickly as he once could, he brings a deeper toolbox of experience and stillness to his performances.

The new film is scheduled for release in the coming months. Turturro says he sees the character of Harry as a reflection of his own life, someone who has lived a great deal and learned to distill his experiences into precise actions. He remains focused on the craft, treating each new role as an opportunity to learn something he did not know before.