John Turturro, a veteran actor known for his distinctive characters in films such as "Barton Fink" and "The Big Lebowski," is receiving renewed attention with his lead role in the new independent film "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York," which is currently in theaters. At 69, Turturro—who has built a career as a character actor rather than a traditional Hollywood leading man—delivers one of the most acclaimed performances of his four-decade career, prompting some to speculate about a potential first Oscar nomination.

Set against the backdrop of New York City, the film follows Harry Lehman, an old-school pickpocket navigating a cashless world while caring for his disabled wife and estranged daughter. The story unfolds as Harry tries to recover a stolen USB drive linked to a crime family, drawing him into a dangerous pursuit. Alongside Turturro, the cast includes longtime collaborators Giancarlo Esposito, playing a detective, and Steve Buscemi as a pawnshop owner, contributing to the film’s nostalgic tone.

The project was developed by writer-director Noah Segan, a fourth-generation New Yorker who crafted the script specifically with Turturro in mind. Segan, influenced by filmmakers like Spike Lee and the Coen brothers, aimed to create a character-driven story rooted in the gritty realism of New York. After sending the screenplay, Segan was surprised and encouraged when Turturro expressed immediate interest.

Raised in Queens and still living in Brooklyn with his wife Katherine of 41 years, Turturro retains strong ties to New York despite frequent visits to Los Angeles, where his brother Nicholas lives and his daughter works in the comics industry. Known for his grounded approach, he continues to take the subway and supports the Knicks, emphasizing his connection to everyday city life.

Throughout his career, Turturro has resisted the traditional Hollywood path. Despite opportunities in bigger-budget films, he has preferred diverse roles across theater, television, and independent film, earning critical recognition including an acting award at Cannes for "Barton Fink" and an Emmy for his guest role on "Monk." Early in his career, he wrote and directed "Mac," a semi-autobiographical film about Italian American brothers in 1950s Queens that won the Camera d’Or at Cannes but had limited commercial impact.

Turturro has never been nominated for an Oscar, a fact he attributes partly to a lack of campaigning and publicist support. Still, he views any potential nomination for “Pickpocket” as a valuable acknowledgment, especially for smaller films, while maintaining a pragmatic attitude toward awards.

Now approaching 70, Turturro acknowledges the physical demands of acting have increased but remains committed to his craft. He is preparing to bring Eugène Ionesco’s "Rhinoceros" to Broadway and is involved in directing a documentary about former Yankees manager Joe Torre, along with developing a film adaptation of Philip Roth’s novel "Sabbath’s Theater."

Reflecting on his career, Turturro credits life experience with deepening his performances. He describes acting not as a job to retire from but a lifelong passion, noting that he “still loves it” and continues to seek out challenges.