John Turturro Has Waited 40 Years for an Oscar Nomination. ‘The Only Living Pickpocket in New York’ Makes the Case
John Turturro, now 69, is being tipped by Sony Pictures Classics for a first-ever Oscar nomination after four decades as one of Hollywood's most recognisable character actors. His starring role in "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York," which premiered at Sundance and drew acclaim at this weekend's Telluride Film Festival, gives him a rare leading part to carry, something his long career of celebrated supporting turns has never provided.
Turturro has worked with directors including the Coen brothers, Spike Lee and Robert Redford, won the best actor prize at Cannes for "Barton Fink" in 1991, and earned Golden Globe and SAG nominations for "Quiz Show" three years later, yet has never received Academy recognition. Television has been more generous, with Emmy nominations for "The Night Of" and "Severance". In the new film, directed by Noah Segan, he plays Harry Lehman, an ageing pickpocket whose trade is being rendered obsolete by digital payments and phones, while he cares for his ailing wife; the studio is framing the film as the vehicle to finally secure him the nomination his career has long deserved.
In short
- Turturro tipped for first Oscar nomination after 40-year career
- Stars in "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York," acclaimed at Telluride
- Plays an ageing thief made obsolete by digital technology
Explained simply
The Academy Awards, often called the Oscars, recognise work in films released each year. Actors can be nominated for leading or supporting roles, but a long career or praise from other awards does not guarantee an Oscar nomination.
John Turturro is an American actor known for playing distinctive supporting characters in films by directors such as the Coen brothers and Spike Lee. He has received recognition at Cannes and nominations for other awards, as well as Emmy nominations for television roles, but has not been nominated for an Oscar.
The new film centres on an ageing New York pickpocket whose livelihood is threatened as people use phones and digital payments instead of cash. Its role gives Turturro a leading part, and the studio is promoting the film in the hope that voters will consider him for an Academy Award.