# John Turturro Talks Pickpocket Training and the Knicks Championship

> Actor John Turturro discusses his preparation for 'The Only Living Pickpocket in New York', his passion projects, and the New York Knicks winning the championship.

- Publisher: Briefzora (https://briefzora.com)
- URL: https://briefzora.com/john-turturro-talks-pickpocket-training-and-the-knicks-championship
- Published: 2026-11-03T00:00:04+05:00
- Author: Briefzora Desk (https://briefzora.com/author/briefzora-desk)
- Section: Entertainment
- Topics: Oscars, Awards Circuit Podcast, John Turturro, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York
- Image: https://briefzora.com/uploads/2026/11/john-turturro-on-nearly-robbing-someone-to-practice-for-the-only-livi-wgxxrk.webp

## Key points

- John Turturro nearly pickpocketed someone on the subway while practicing with sleight-of-hand artist Apollo Robbins.
- The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is written and directed by Noah Segan and co-stars Steve Buscemi and Giancarlo Esposito.
- John Turturro bought back his 2005 musical Romance & Cigarettes after a studio regime change and released it himself.
- The actor has won best actor at Cannes and earned Emmy nominations for The Night Of and Severance.

## Why it matters

The insights offer a rare look into the career, creative struggles, and personal reflections of an acclaimed actor navigating the film industry as he gets older.

## Article

Actor John Turturro came close to actually stealing from someone on the subway while preparing for his role in **The Only Living Pickpocket in New York**. Working under sleight-of-hand artist Apollo Robbins, the star practiced exercises before moving his training directly to the film set where he lifted items from the crew.

## Preparing for The Only Living Pickpocket in New York

John Turturro explains that his instructor Apollo Robbins functions as part psychologist and part concert pianist. The 90-minute film is written and directed by Noah Segan and casts the actor as Harry, an aging thief looking after his disabled wife alongside co-stars Steve Buscemi and Giancarlo Esposito.

## Reflecting on Career and the New York Knicks

The long-time [Knicks Return to Championship Identity for First Time Since June](https://briefzora.com/knicks-return-to-championship-identity-for-first-time-since-june) fan watched his favorite franchise secure another title during a memorable year. John Turturro holds a Cannes best actor win and Emmy nominations for The Night Of and Severance, though he has never received an Oscar nomination.

## Saving Romance and Developing Future Projects

John Turturro previously bought back his 2005 musical Romance & Cigarettes after a studio regime change and distributed it independently. He also holds a screenplay adaptation of Philip Roth's Sabbath's Theater and hopes to adapt Susan Sheehan's book Is There No Place on Earth for Me?

## Frequently asked questions

### Who trained John Turturro in pickpocketing?

Sleight-of-hand artist Apollo Robbins trained John Turturro for his role as a pickpocket.

### What film did John Turturro have to buy back?

John Turturro bought back his 2005 musical Romance & Cigarettes after a studio regime change and distributed it himself.


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