Turturro was natural within Brooklyn, New York to an Italian Catholic family. He completed his MFA at the Yale School of Drama. He worked as an extra in Raging Bull (1980).

John Turturro created the name part of John Patrick Shanley's Danny and the Deep Blue Sea at the Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center in 1983. He repeated it a as punishment season Off-Broadway and won an OBIE Award.

Spike Lee liked Turturro's performance in 5 Corners such that he chose to cast him within Run the Right Tool, where he played a explosive racist Pino. This moving picture initiated an extended-standing collaboration between a noted director and John Turturro.

a versatile actor comfortable sustaining two comedy & drama, Turturro likewise experienced a long collaboration by having the Coen Brothers, appearing in their films The Big Lebowski, ''Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, and most recently O Brother, Where Art Thou?''. He too appeared as a severely disturbed tolerant Jack Nicholson's psychiatrist within Anger Management. Turturro is too an occasional guest star in Monk as Adrian's eccentric brother, Ambrose Monk.

Turturro was a producer, director & actor of the film Illuminata (1999), which also starred his married woman Katherine Borowitz.

Actress Aida Turturro is John Turturro's cousin.

Selected filmography
The Good Shepherd Secret Window, 2004, as John Shooter She Hate Me, 2004, as Don Angelo Bonasera Mr. Deeds, 2002, as Emilio Collateral Damage, 2002, as Armstrong The Luzhin Defence, 2001, as Alexander Luzhin The Man Who Cried, 2000, as Dante Dominio O Brother, Where Art Thou?, 2000, as Pete Cradle Will Rock, 1999, as Aldo Silvano Summer Of Sam, 1999, as a voice of Harvey The Big Lebowski, 1998, as Jesus Quintana He Got Game, 1998, as Billy Sunday Rounders, 1998, as Joey Knish Girl 6, 1996, as Murray Clockers, 1995, as Det. Larry Mazilla Quiz Show, 1994, as Herb Stempel Fearless, 1993, as Bill Pearlman Brain Donors, 1992, as Roland T. Flakfizer Mac, 1992, as Niccolo Vitelli; as well directed & co-written by Turturro Barton Fink, 1991 as Barton Fink Jungle Fever, 1991, as Paulie Carbone Men of Respect, 1991, as Microphone Battaglia ''Miller's Crossing, 1990, as Bernie Bernbaum Mo' Better Blues, 1990, as Moe Flatbush State Of Grace, 1990, as Nick Do the Right Thing, 1989, as Pino Five Corners, 1987, as Heinz Sabantino The Color of Money, 1986, as Julian To Live and Die in L.A., 1985, as Carl Cody Raging Bull, 1980, uncredited extra

Television appearances
Monk'', 2004-2005, as Ambrose Monk