Are John Turturro From ‘The Big Lebowski’ and Nick Turturro Related?

Quick Facts

When you hear Turturro, what inadvertently comes to mind is Hollywood. The name arguably has the same effect on us as the Baldwins, Barrymores, Skarsgard, and Bridges. Actor, writer, and filmmaker John Turturro started it all by being a big movie buff. He joined the industry in 1980 and was subsequently joined by other family members, cousins, spouses, and children. John has appeared in over 60 films, besides TV shows and theatre works. As such, he’s one of such individuals who piques the interest of a lot of people, just like Nick Turturro. Are John and Nick Turturro related? Find out everything you need to know about them below.

Are John and Nick Turturro Related?

The Turturro family are everywhere in Hollywood. The family originates from Giovinazzo, Bari, Italy but is gradually taking over the industry. Although John is the most successful and best-known member of the Turturros, the others have established their presence over the years. John and Nick Turturro are only a part of this acting dynasty.

Their mother was an amateur jazz singer and was featured in a few films before her death in 2005. The Turturro patriarch, Nicholas Sr. worked as a carpenter and shoemaker prior to fighting as a Navy serviceman on D-Day.

Besides John and Nick Turturro, their cousin Aida Turturro from The Sopranos (1999) fame is also an acclaimed actress. She played Janice Soprano, sister of New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano on the HBO series. The trio worked together in John’s film, Mac (1992), based on his father’s life as a carpenter in Queens in the ’50s.

Other family members include cousins like the abstract painter Ralph Turturro, composer and film director Richard Termini, and John’s wife, actress . The duo has been married since 1985 and has two sons together, Amedeo and Diego.

Nick was married to Jami Biunno from 1984 until their divorce in 1995; they had a daughter named Erica. He is currently married to Lissa Espinosa, a former flight attendant. They tied the knot on August 3, 1996, and have two children. Yes, John and Nick Turturro are related, they are brothers.

What Are They Most Known For?

The Turturro brothers have been making waves in the acting industry since the 1980s. John announced his presence in the industry in 1980 with an extra role in ‘s critically acclaimed film, Raging Bull. Influenced by his older brother and with a natural impulse to perform, Nick joined in 1989 after his brother introduced him to . He also worked as a part-time hotel doorman.

The younger Turturro made his debut in Lee’s Do the Right Thing (1989), both as an extra and voice-over artist. Nick made a good impression on Lee who cast him in several of his films thereafter including Mo’ Better Blues (1990), Jungle Fever (1991), and (1992).

Nick Turturro later branched out on his own and subsequently earned roles in films like Federal Hill (1994) and Excess Baggage (1997). He received accolades for his work in the 1994 indie film. However, his breakthrough came with his role as Detective James Martinez in ABC’s NYPD Blue (1993 to 2000). He has also appeared on stage in works such as Wild Goose, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Lusting After Popino’s Wife, as well as Siddown: Conversations With the Mob. He has a net worth of $5 million.

John, on his own part, is a character actor, writer, and filmmaker. He is known for his roles in Miller’s Crossing (1990), Quiz Show (1994), The Big Lebowski (1998), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) and the Transformers film series. He has won an Emmy Award, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards nominations. This Turturro has a production company called Humperdink Productions and has directed over five films including Romance and Cigarettes (2005), Fading Gigolo (2013), and The Jesus Rolls (2019).

John and Nick Turturro’s Age

John Turturro was born to a typical Italian family on the 28th of February 1957, in Brooklyn, New York, the U.S. The son of Katherine Florence (Incerella) and Nicholas Turturro Sr., John became a big brother a few years later, to Nicholas “Nick” Turturro Jr. Nick arrived on January 29, 1962.

Shortly after Nick’s birth, the family moved to the Rosedale section of Queens, New York. The duo was raised Roman Catholics. John graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz, with a degree in Theatre Arts and obtained his MFA at the Yale School of Drama. On the other hand, Nick majored in theater at Adelphi University but left after two years.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.