John Turturro’s Net Worth and Career: A Deep Dive

What is John Turturro’s Net Worth?

John Turturro, the acclaimed American actor, writer, and director, has amassed a net worth of $14 million. His career, spanning several decades, is marked by significant contributions to independent cinema and collaborations with notable filmmakers and actors. Turturro’s versatility and dedication have solidified his place as a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

Early Life and Education

John Turturro was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1957. His upbringing was rooted in a diverse cultural background. His mother, Katherine, was a US-born amateur jazz singer with Italian heritage. His father, Nicholas, emigrated from Italy at the age of six, working as a construction worker and carpenter before serving in the US Navy. Raised in the Roman Catholic faith, Turturro spent his formative years in the Rosedale neighborhood of Queens. He pursued higher education, earning a degree in theatre arts from the State University of New York at New Paltz and later obtaining an MFA from the prestigious Yale School of Drama. This rigorous training laid the foundation for his successful career in the performing arts.

Early Career Beginnings

Turturro’s journey in the film industry began with a non-speaking role as an extra in Martin Scorsese’s 1980 film, “Raging Bull.” This initial experience provided a glimpse into the world of filmmaking and fueled his ambition. In 1984, he appeared in the romantic comedy “The Flamingo Kid.” The following year, he took on supporting roles in the action thriller “To Live and Die in L.A.” and the dramedy “Desperately Seeking Susan.” These early roles showcased his talent and versatility, leading to more significant opportunities in the years to come.

Big Screen Breakthroughs

The mid-to-late 1980s marked a turning point in Turturro’s career, with roles in numerous films that established him as a prominent actor. In 1986 alone, he appeared in Woody Allen’s “Hannah and Her Sisters,” Martin Scorsese’s “The Color of Money,” Ron Howard’s “Gung Ho,” and the comedy “Off Beat.” The following year, he was featured in the action film “The Sicilian” and the independent crime drama “Five Corners,” alongside Tim Robbins and Jodie Foster. His performance in “Five Corners” caught the attention of director Spike Lee, who cast him in “Do the Right Thing.” This collaboration marked the beginning of a long-standing partnership between Turturro and Lee, leading to roles in several more films including “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Jungle Fever,” “Clockers,” “He Got Game,” and “Miracle at St. Anna.”

In 1990, Turturro continued to build on his success. He reunited with Jodie Foster in Dennis Hopper’s “Catchfire” and starred in the crime film “State of Grace” with Sean Penn, Ed Harris, Robin Wright, Gary Oldman, and John C. Reilly. That same year, he began a series of collaborations with the Coen brothers, appearing in their gangster noir “Miller’s Crossing” as Bernie “The Shamata Kid” Bernbaum. Turturro’s most celebrated role in a Coen brothers film came in 1991, when he played the lead in “Barton Fink.” His portrayal of a psychologically troubled New York playwright earned him the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival, solidifying his reputation as a gifted performer.

Further Film Acting Career

Throughout the 1990s, Turturro demonstrated his versatility by appearing in a wide array of films. He expanded his repertoire by writing and directing “Mac,” and starring in “Brain Donors,” the Robin Williams dramedy “Being Human,” Peter Weir’s “Fearless,” Robert Redford’s “Quiz Show,” the dramedy “Unstrung Heroes,” Tom DiCillo’s “Box of Moonlight,” and Francesco Rosi’s “The Truce.” In 1998, he starred in six films, including “Rounders” and “OK Garage.” He also wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the romantic comedy “Illuminata,” and delivered a memorable supporting performance as Jesus Quintana in the Coen brothers’ “The Big Lebowski.” Turturro closed out the decade with roles in Spike Lee’s “Summer of Sam” and Tim Robbins’ “Cradle Will Rock.”

In the 2000s, Turturro continued to work with notable directors and in diverse projects. He made appearances in “Company Man,” “The Luzhin Defence,” and the Coen brothers’ film, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” He was also featured in “Thirteen Conversations About One Thing,” “Collateral Damage,” and “Mr. Deeds,” the latter being the first of several collaborations with Adam Sandler. His later credits include “Anger Management,” “Secret Passage,” “Secret Window,” “The Good Shepherd,” “Transformers,” “Margot at the Wedding,” “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan,” and the remake of “The Taking of Pelham 123.”

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Directing Career and Later Film Work

Following his early directorial efforts with “Mac” and “Illuminata,” Turturro increased his directing work in the 2000s and 2010s. In 2005, he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the musical romantic comedy “Romance and Cigarettes.” In 2010, he directed and co-wrote the documentary “Passione.” He directed and wrote the comedy “Fading Gigolo” in 2013, and also directed and wrote “The Jesus Rolls” in 2019, a spinoff of “The Big Lebowski.” Throughout this time, Turturro continued to appear in films such as “God’s Pocket,” “Exodus: Gods and Kings,” “Mia madre,” “The Ridiculous 6,” “Hands of Stone,” “Gloria Bell,” and several sequels to Michael Bay’s “Transformers.”

Television Career

Turturro’s television career began with an appearance on “Miami Vice” in 1985. Later, he was featured in several episodes of “The Fortunate Pilgrim.” In 1994, he hosted “Saturday Night Live.” Other television credits include the television film “Monday Night Mayhem,” and episodes of “Frasier,” “Monk,” “The Bronx is Burning,” and “Flight of the Conchords.” His most acclaimed television role was in the 2016 HBO miniseries “The Night Of,” where he portrayed attorney John Stone, earning him an Emmy Award nomination.

Personal Life

John Turturro has been married to Katherine Borowitz, who is a social worker, since 1985. They have two sons, Amedeo and Diego, and reside in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood. Since 2011, Turturro has held dual American and Italian citizenship. In addition to his acting and directing work, Turturro is involved in the New York International Children’s Film Festival, often serving as a jury member, reviewing films for children aged three to eighteen.