Veteran actor John Turturro, fresh from receiving the prestigious Golden Eye award, engaged audiences at a Zurich Film Festival masterclass, where he discussed his acclaimed new film The Only Living Pickpocket in New York and its burgeoning presence in the Oscar Race, alongside confirming his return for the highly anticipated third season of Apple TV+’s Severance. The Emmy-winning star offered candid insights into his extensive career, his approach to awards season, and the enduring friendships that have shaped his craft.
Turturro’s appearance at the Swiss festival followed his Golden Eye award ceremony on Saturday night, a testament to his four-decade-long contributions to cinema and television. The Zurich Film Festival, a significant event in the European film circuit, annually honors prominent figures in the industry, placing Turturro among esteemed 2026 honorees like Julianne Moore and Tom Hiddleston. This recognition underscores his status as a performer celebrated for his distinctive character work and versatility, spanning a remarkable array of genres and collaborations with some of the world’s most acclaimed directors.
A New Contender in the Oscar Race
Central to the masterclass conversation was Turturro’s latest project, Noah Segan’s The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, a film that premiered to critical acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival and is now generating considerable awards buzz. In the independent drama, Turturro takes on the lead role of Harry, a seasoned pickpocket whose meticulously organized existence unravels over a tense 36-hour period after a job goes awry. The film’s compelling narrative and Turturro’s nuanced performance have positioned it as a potential dark horse in the upcoming Oscar Race, particularly for the Best Actor category.
For an actor who has steadily built a formidable career, earning an Emmy for his work on The Night Of but famously yet to receive an Academy Award nomination, the prospect of entering the Oscar campaign marks a notable moment. Turturro addressed this possibility with characteristic humility during his conversation with Deadline‘s Melanie Goodfellow. He acknowledged that he hasn’t typically "gone the whole hog" with awards campaigning in the past. However, recognizing his central role in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, he expressed a commitment to supporting the film he deeply loves. This stance highlights a common dilemma for artists: balancing the desire for their work to be seen and appreciated with the often-demanding and competitive nature of awards season.
Turturro elaborated on his perspective, noting that being drawn into awards conversations can be "helpful to help you do the next thing," providing momentum for future projects. Yet, he underscored that external validation is not the primary driver for his work. "Is it nice to be acknowledged? Great, but that’s not why you do it," he stated, emphasizing that popularity doesn’t guarantee longevity or artistic merit. He clarified his non-competitive nature, asserting, "I don’t look upon myself as being a competitive person. I’m competitive with myself. I want to get the most out of what I can do, but it’s not sports!" This philosophy speaks to a deep-seated artistic integrity, valuing personal growth and the craft over accolades.
The actor confessed to a genuine surprise regarding the overwhelmingly positive critical reception the film garnered out of Sundance. "Finally," he recalled thinking, "I’m in something that people will see." This sentiment reflects the challenges many actors face in an industry where artistic merit does not always align with broad commercial visibility. Turturro’s dedication to continuous improvement was a recurring theme. He articulated a belief that acting is one of the few professions where one can continually refine their abilities with age, drawing upon a growing reservoir of life experiences. "You may not be able to run as fast as you did when you were younger, but I have a lot of life experience, and as you get older, you accumulate that, and you can distill things in a way that you couldn’t do when you were young," he mused, citing personal milestones such as "life, death, loss, being a parent, being married — what it is to really love someone versus falling in love. That’s a huge difference."
A Career Defined by Collaboration and Character
Beyond the potential Oscar Race for The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, Turturro’s masterclass offered a comprehensive retrospective of his impressive career, which has spanned four decades and encompassed an extraordinary range of roles across film, television, and stage. He regaled attendees with stories from his formative years in an immigrant household, which he credits with shaping his worldview and artistic sensibilities. His enduring friendship and numerous collaborations with iconic director Spike Lee were also a key topic. Turturro has appeared in seminal Lee films such as Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever, roles that brought him international recognition and showcased his distinctive talent for embodying complex characters.
His extensive filmography also boasts collaborations with other cinematic giants, including the Coen brothers, with whom he created some of his most memorable characters, such as the enigmatic Jesus Quintana in The Big Lebowski. Other notable Coen collaborations include Miller’s Crossing, Barton Fink, and O Brother, Where Art Thou? For his lead performance in Barton Fink, Turturro earned the Best Actor award at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival, an early career highlight he reflected on during the Zurich masterclass. He also spoke of working with legendary directors such as Martin Scorsese, Robert Redford, Robert De Niro, Nanni Moretti, and Pedro Almodóvar, a testament to his respected standing in the global film community. Turturro noted an interesting trend, confessing he often feels he lands "more normal" roles in Europe compared to the U.S., highlighting differing cultural perceptions and casting norms. He also revealed his ethical stance on specific roles, having "again and again" turned down scripts that depict violence towards women.
Television Triumphs: From The Night Of to Severance Season 3
The conversation naturally transitioned to two of Turturro’s most impactful television performances of the last decade: HBO’s acclaimed limited series The Night Of and Apple TV+’s Emmy-winning dystopian thriller Severance. The audience responded with a round of applause when The Night Of was mentioned, reflecting its profound impact. The 2016 crime drama, co-starring Riz Ahmed, garnered five Emmys, with Turturro earning a nomination for his portrayal of John Stone, the eczema-stricken defense lawyer. He expressed immense pride in the project, noting his deliberate choice not to watch the original BBC version to avoid any influence on his performance. Turturro also revealed his desire for a second season of The Night Of, a testament to the depth of his experience on the show, though creative differences over the storyline ultimately prevented its continuation.
However, the most eagerly awaited revelation concerned Severance. Turturro coyly, then definitively, confirmed his return as the beloved character Irving Bailiff for season three of the critically acclaimed series. "Yeah," he eventually told the room, adding a condition that speaks to his commitment to meaningful roles: "As long as they give me interesting things to do, then I’m interested." This news sparked excitement among fans eager to see the continuation of Irving’s storyline and his burgeoning romance with Burt Goodman, played by the legendary Christopher Walken.
Turturro seized the opportunity to express his deep admiration and affection for Walken, a sentiment that clearly translates into their on-screen chemistry. Recalling his initial discussions about joining Severance, Turturro had asked about his potential love interest. When presented with the idea of "all these younger guys," he quickly interjected, "Well no, I’ve worked with Chris Walken… I want Chris, because I love Chris. And I don’t have to act that I love him because I love him." This authentic, real-life friendship between the two veteran actors became a cornerstone of their characters’ tender and unexpected relationship, which resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, offering a nuanced portrayal of older LGBTQ+ love in prestige television.
He further elaborated on their working dynamic, noting Walken’s unique approach to the show’s complex mythology. "Though Walken didn’t understand a lot of the show," Turturro explained, "I said, ‘Don’t worry about it. You just look at me.’" Their shared history, including Turturro having directed Walken multiple times, allowed for a seamless collaboration. He praised Walken’s versatility, dispelling the common perception that he only plays "strange characters." "He can do a lot of different things. He’s also very sensitive, but he has a childlike joy in his work, and when that happens, anything is possible," Turturro observed, highlighting the creative magic that can emerge from such deep professional and personal bonds.
Encouragement to Continue: A Legacy of Integrity
As the masterclass concluded, Turturro reflected on his enduring passion for his craft and the philosophy that has guided his journey. He quoted Italian novelist Cesare Pavese, stating, "[He] once said that the only great thing in life is to begin. I still consider myself a beginner in many ways." This sentiment encapsulates a career marked by continuous exploration and a refusal to rest on past achievements. Turturro expressed profound gratitude for his ability to make a living doing work that genuinely interests him, work he strives to share with an audience without "diminish[ing] their intelligence."
His Golden Eye award, therefore, serves not as a capstone, but as "an encouragement to continue." Whether navigating the competitive landscape of the Oscar Race with The Only Living Pickpocket in New York or delving deeper into the enigmatic world of Severance, John Turturro remains a vibrant and essential voice in contemporary storytelling. His commitment to authenticity, his vast experience, and his humble approach continue to enrich the cinematic and television landscape, promising many more compelling performances to come. The 22nd edition of the Zurich Film Festival, celebrating his legacy and future contributions, runs from September 24 to October 4.
