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John TurturroItalian-American actor, screenwriter and director
Date of Birth: 28.02.1957
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of John Turturro
- Early Life and Education
- Early Career
- Collaboration with the Coen Brothers and Other Works
- Later Career and Awards
Biography of John Turturro
John Michael Turturro, an Italian-American actor, screenwriter, and director, was born on February 28, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He is known for his talent in cult and art-house films. In movies, he often portrays characters who are perpetually nervous and troubled.
Early Life and Education
John Turturro is the son of Katherine, a non-professional jazz singer who worked at a state naval yard during World War II, and Nicholas Turturro, a carpenter and builder who immigrated from Giovinazzo, Italy, at the age of six and served as a naval soldier on D-Day, the first day of the Normandy invasion. Turturro was raised in a Catholic household and moved to the Ridgewood neighborhood in Queens, New York, with his family at the age of six. He pursued drama as a major at the State University of New York and later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama.
Early Career
Turturro's first film role was a small part as a man at a table in Martin Scorsese's critically acclaimed biographical drama "Raging Bull" (1980). In 1983, he played the lead role in John Patrick Shanley's play "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea" at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference. He reprised his role the following year in a non-Broadway production and won the Obie Award for his theatrical performance. Spike Lee was impressed by Turturro's performance in "Do the Right Thing" and wanted to make him a member of his ensemble cast in the comedy film "Mo' Better Blues". This film marked the beginning of their long-standing partnership, resulting in Turturro's appearances in several of Lee's films, including "Jungle Fever" (1991), "Girl 6" (1996), "He Got Game" (1998), "Summer of Sam" (1999), and "She Hate Me" (2004).
Collaboration with the Coen Brothers and Other Works
Being a versatile actor who excels in both comedy and drama, Turturro expanded his collaborations with various filmmakers. He worked with the Coen brothers, appearing in their films "Miller's Crossing" (1990), "Barton Fink" (1991), "The Big Lebowski" (1998), and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" (2000). He also starred in several films with Adam Sandler, including the comedies "Mr. Deeds" (2002) and "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" (2008). Turturro played the aggressive patient of Jack Nicholson's character in the comedy film "Anger Management" and the antagonist to Johnny Depp's character, John Shooter, in the thriller film "Secret Window". He also had a prominent role as Ambrose Monk, the eccentric brother of Adrian Monk, in the TV series "Monk".
Later Career and Awards
Before becoming a well-known actor, Turturro had a small role in Woody Allen's award-winning comedy "Hannah and Her Sisters". One of his most iconic comedic performances is his interpretation of Groucho Marx in the 1992 film "Brain Donors", a modern-day adaptation of the Marx Brothers' comedy "A Night at the Opera". Turturro received an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Ambrose Monk in the TV series "Monk". He has been nominated for and won numerous awards from various organizations, including the Screen Actors Guild, Cannes Film Festival, Golden Globe Awards, and more.
Turturro has also ventured into producing and directing. He produced and directed the film "Illuminata" (1998), in which his wife, Katherine Borowitz, starred. He also wrote and directed the film "Romance & Cigarettes" (2005). In recent years, Turturro has appeared in films such as "The Good Shepherd" (2006), "Transformers" (2007), and "The Taking of Pelham 123" (2009).
John Turturro is a highly acclaimed actor with a diverse range of roles under his belt. He has appeared in over 60 films, impressing audiences with his ability to transform his mannerisms and physicality to bring his characters to life.
