Turturro Halts Take to Call Esposito His Family in 'Pickpocket'

John Turturro broke character during a take on the set of The Only Living Pickpocket in New York to tell co-star Giancarlo Esposito that the actor was his family. The moment occurred while filming a scene in the office of Detective Warren, a role played by Esposito. Turturro stared at Esposito and said, "You're my uncle. You're my father. You're my family." Esposito confirmed that the interaction brought tears to his eyes because he felt the same connection. The film, written and directed by Noah Segan, marks Turturro's first lead role in a major motion picture in more than two decades.

The two actors first worked together on Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing in 1989. Esposito recalled that the relationship was initially difficult. "I hated him on Do the Right Thing, to be honest with you, and he probably hated me to a certain extent," Esposito said. They appeared in Mo' Better Blues in 1990 and Jungle Fever in 1991, but they did not engage in substantial scene work together until the current production. In The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, their characters, Detective Warren and pickpocket Harry Lehman, are former adversaries who become friends as their professions face decline due to technology.

The production took place in New York City, including a location near McManus' bar in a neighborhood familiar to Esposito. The film has received rave reviews. It explores themes of time, caregiving, and the relationship between the past and the future. Turturro's character, Harry Lehman, serves as a caregiver for his wife and navigates his reconnection with a family he had distanced himself from for a long period.

Esposito is currently working on ten projects that will be available to the public by the end of 2026. This slate includes the final season of The Boys and the second season of The Gentlemen. He is also filming By Any Means and Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. Esposito stated that he is developing new projects that aim to show a wider range of his acting abilities beyond the specific roles he has played in recent television series. He is currently optioning properties and working with writers on scripts that fit this new direction.

The reunion coincided with a major sporting event for both actors. The New York Knicks won the NBA championship earlier in 2026, securing the franchise's first Larry O'Brien trophy in 53 years. A photographer captured Esposito, Turturro, and Spike Lee together ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. The three were visibly energized during the event.

Esposito noted that the film's pacing mirrors real life, shifting between slow moments and propulsive action. He expressed a preference for directing styles that focus on emotional elicitation rather than technical manipulation. The production utilized a slow burn structure that gradually draws the audience into the personal lives of the characters. The film deals with the concept of timepieces and how individuals move through time or fall behind it.