Actor Turturro trained with pro sleight of hand artist for new pickpocket film

John Turturro spent time practicing theft techniques with Apollo Robbins, a professional sleight-of-hand artist, to prepare for his upcoming movie, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.

Robbins coached the actor on misdirection and provided specific exercises. Turturro practiced picking pockets in the production office and on the film set. He noted that tight horizontal pockets in skinny jeans are difficult to access, while back pockets are easier targets. He added that unzipped zippers on backpacks or purses worn on the back offer the best opportunity for a lift.

In the film, Turturro plays Harry, a skilled pickpocket who serves as the primary caretaker for his wife, who is in a catatonic state. The plot shifts when Harry steals the backpack of a college-aged student. The student turns out to be the grandson of a crime boss. This connection creates complications for Harry’s daily routine.

Turturro, who is 69, said he is drawn to complex roles and enjoys learning new skills. He described himself as a student who digs deep into character work. He said he finds the uncertainty of potential failure exciting. He aims to explore every aspect of a role to the fullest extent possible.

The actor discussed the impact of his family life on his career and personal views. He served as the legal guardian for his late brother, who had schizophrenia. Turturro managed his brother’s housing, hired aides, and supervised their care. He described the experience as unpredictable and sometimes abusive. His brother was eventually prescribed a monthly medication, which helped stabilize his condition.

Turturro said he had to form a barrier to protect himself and his family. He noted that many mentally ill people end up on the streets due to a lack of a support system. He had frequent encounters with police and often brought food to his brother during hospital stays at New York Presbyterian. He said the experience taught him about human behavior and his own capacity to withstand stress.

His upbringing also shaped his perspective. He grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Hollis, Queens, for the first six years of his life. He said he had no white friends during that time. He later moved to Rosedale, an Italian, Irish, and Jewish neighborhood, where he felt prejudiced against because people assumed he was Puerto Rican. He credited these experiences with helping him understand a multicultural world.

Turturro said he learned to diffuse volatile situations while growing up. His father suffered from PTSD after being blown up on a destroyer during World War II. Turturro became a protector for his mother and a calming influence in the household. He said these real-life experiences helped him understand explosive characters in his film roles. He feels his experience gives him a fuller toolbox as he ages.

He has a long history of working with diverse communities and complex characters. He said he feels comfortable working with women, a trait he attributes to his mother, a dressmaker who involved him in her work. He often helped with patterns and even modeled wedding dresses when his mother’s fitting dummy was too small. He said his early experiences in different neighborhoods bonded him with director Spike Lee, who also grew up in an Italian neighborhood.