• Nicholas Turturro Jr is an American actor best known for his role in NYPD Blue.
• His brother and cousin are also noted actors in the entertainment industry.
• He attended Adelphi University and graduated with a theatre degree.
• Has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
• Is a major fan of baseball, collects memorabilia, and is a supporter of the New York Yankees.



Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthJanuary 29, 1962
SpouseLissa Espinosa (m. 1996), Jami Biunno (m. 1984–1995)
FactDaughter Erica by first wife Jami Biunno.


Nicholas Turturro Jr is an American actor whose face would be familiar to the many fans of “NYPD Blue”. He is most identified with his character Sargeant Martinez, but he is not the only actor in his family; both his brother, John Turturro, who is easily recognized as Agent Seymore Simmons in the “Transformers” films, and cousin Aida of “The Sopranos” fame, are noted actors. Although Nicholas is not as famous as his older brother, he’s nonetheless enjoyed a successful career with numerous titles in his portfolio, as well as several award nominations. Here follows all there is to know about Nicholas.

Early life and family

Nicholas – ‘Nick’ – was born 29 January 1962, in Queens, New York City, USA, to parents Nicholas Turturro Sr and Katherine Florence. His father was an immigrant from Giovinazzo, Puglia, Italy, who worked as a carpenter and shoemaker, and also served in the US Navy during World War 2.

Nicholas’ mother was a Jazz singer who worked in a Navy yard at the same time, and is of Italian descent with roots in Sicily. His brother, John Micheal, was born in 1957, and they were raised in a Roman Catholic home – both of them remain dedicated to their religion.

Educational background

Nicholas finished his high school education mostly attending Catholic schools, and went on from there to attend Adelphi University. After two years at varsity, Nicholas graduated in Theatre, but at first had to dedicate himself to family life.

Career

Initially, Nicholas would work as a doorman, before making his debut as an actor, as at the time he was married to his first wife and raising their daughter Erica. Nicholas’ debut came about due to his brother’s influence, who introduced him to Spike Lee; he had starred in several Spike Lee productions, including his first role as an extra and voice-over artist in the 1989 film “Do The Right Thing”.

Nicholas Turturro

Spike was so impressed with Nicholas that he wrote a dedicated role for him in his next film “Mo’ Better Blues”. Nicholas continued his success, starring in several more Spike Lee feature films, which included “Malcolm-X”, and “Jungle Fever” alongside his brother John. In the early nineties, Nicholas received a few other roles, including the 1991 film “Men Of Respect”.

In 1992, Nick gained a role in the popular television series “Law and Order”, but he was more successful in the following year, as he landed parts in three television series – “L.A. Law”, “The Young Chronicles of Indiana Jones”, and his long-running role in “NYPD Blue”.

In 1994, Nicholas starred alongside his cousin Aida in the independent film “The Search for One-eye Jimmy”. In 2000, the “NYPD Blue” series aired its last instalments, but roles for the talented actor had not been in short supply, and Nicholas would later be seen in several shows, includes “The District”, “Touched By an Angel” and “The Twilight Zone”.

In 2003 Nick landed his second long-running role, in “Third Watch”. In 2005, Nicholas starred in the Adam Sandler comedy “The Longest Yard”, and the following yearwas cast in the role of Officer Colovito in “World Trade Centre”.

He starred in several more features, including television shows and films, but it was not until 2010 that he had another recurring role in a television series, as Sgt Anthony Renzulli in “Blue Bloods”, which he played until 2016. During the same time, he could also be seen in a few films, including “Zookeeper” and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2”. His latest appearance is in the 2020 production “Shooting Heroin”.

Hobbies, favourite things and interesting facts

While working as a doorman in Manhattan, at an apartment building where the musician Billy Joel resided, Nicholas would rate all the women who would visit Billy by indication of his fingers. Oddly enough, Billy’s wife from 1985 to 1994, Christie Brinkley, was the only one to get a ten rating on two occasions.

The Turturro family seems to be very familiar with fame and Nick’s other brother Ralph is a famous musician. The youngest members of the family, which include Amedeo Turturro and Diego Z Turturro, are also starting their rise to fame.

Nicholas is known to be a major fan of baseball; he collects baseball memorabilia, and regularly posts videos on social media in support of his favourite team – the New York Yankees.

Relationships

Nicholas has married twice. – he married Jami Biunno, with whom he had his firstborn, Erica, in 1985, but they divorced in 1994. They met while attending university, and he had to put his aspirations as an actor on hold to raise his family.

He met his second wife, Lissa Espinosa who worked as a flight attendant, when a passenger on a flight. They married on 3 August 1996, and have remained together since. They have two children, son Nicholas III and another son Santino.

Physical characteristics

  • Date of Birth: 29 January 1962
  • Hair colour: Dark Brown
  • Eye colour: Brown
  • Height: 5ft 7is (1.72m)
  • Weight: 165lbs (75kgs)
  • Shoe Size: Unknown
  • Star Sign: Aquarius
  • Nationality: American
  • Ethnicity: Italian/ Latino

Net worth

As a long active actor, Nicholas has accumulated an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2020.

General Info

Full NameNicholas Turturro
Date Of BirthJanuary 29, 1962
Height1.73 m
ProfessionScreenwriter, Film producer, Film director, Actor
EducationAdelphi University
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseLissa Espinosa (m. 1996), Jami Biunno (m. 1984–1995)
ChildrenErica Turturro, Nicholas Turturro III
ParentsNicholas Turturro, Sr., Katherine Turturro
SiblingsJohn Turturro, Ralph Turturro

Accomplishments

AwardsScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
NominationsPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male, ALMA Award for Favorite TV Actor
MoviesThe Longest Yard, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Hellraiser: Inferno, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, Mo' Better Blues, Witness to the Mob, Excess Baggage, The Hillside Strangler, The Search for One-eye Jimmy, Monday Night Mayhem, First Sunday, Federal Hill, Phantom Punch, Men of Respect, Malcolm X, Zoo...
TV ShowsCelebrity Fit Club, NYPD Blue, Blue Bloods

Social profile links

Facts

#Fact
1He is of Italian descent.
2His acting mentor was Dennis Franz.
3Best known by the public for his role as Sgt. James Martinez on NYPD Blue (1993).
4Older brother, Ralph Turturro, is a musician.
5Uncle of Amedeo Turturro and Diego Z. Turturro.
6Brother-in-law of Katherine Borowitz.
7Daughter Erica by first wife Jami Biunno.
8Cousin of Aida Turturro.
9Younger brother of John Turturro and Ralph Turturro.
10Met second wife on a plane ride. She was a flight attendant on the flight.

Pictures

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Takers2010Franco Dalia (as Nick Turturro)
Shoot the Hero2010Grant
The Deported2009Gianni de Carlo
Burn Notice2009TV SeriesTommy
Street Boss2009Jimmy Calone
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation2008TV SeriesGoya
Days of Our Lives2008TV SeriesOfficer Darrell
Phantom Punch2008Ceasar Novak
Remembering Phil2008Phil Winters
Just Jordan2008TV SeriesBig G
First Sunday2008Officer D'Agostino
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry2007Renaldo Pinera
The King of Queens2007TV SeriesVince Dinelli
McBride: Semper Fi2007TV MovieOfficer Colin Pierce
World Trade Center2006Officer Colovito
Trapped!2006TV MovieTravis
Three Wise Guys2005TV MovieVincent (as Nick Turturro)
Sex, Love & Secrets2005TV SeriesDetective
The Longest Yard2005Brucie
The Hillside Strangler2004Angelo Buono
The Hollow2004VideoSheriff Duncan
Third Watch2003-2004TV SeriesAloysius 'Allie' Nardo
Purgatory Flats2003Johnny Ramos
Tremors2003TV SeriesFrank
The Biz2002Anthony
The Twilight Zone2002TV SeriesSpeed
Touched by an Angel2002TV SeriesRolando Wells
Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie2002TV MovieJoe Jr. (as Nick Turturro)
Monday Night Mayhem2002TV MovieChet Forte
The District2001TV SeriesOfficer Robert Turner
The Shipment2001Eddie Colucci
Recess: School's Out2001Cop #1 (voice, as Nick Turturro)
Mr. Life2001TV Movie
Hellraiser: Inferno2000VideoDet. Tony Nenonen
NYPD Blue1993-2000TV SeriesDet. James Martinez
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin1999TV MovieMaj. Ray Domino
Hercules1998TV SeriesMeleager
Witness to the Mob1998TV MovieSammy 'The Bull' Gravano
Excess Baggage1997Stick
Oddville, MTV1997TV Series
The Drew Carey Show1997TV SeriesDet. James Martinez
Shadow Conspiracy1997Grasso
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1996TV Series
In the Line of Duty: Hunt for Justice1995TV MovieMike Garret
Falling from the Sky: Flight 1741995TV MovieAl Williams
Cosmic Slop1994TV MovieFather Carlos (segment "The First Commandment")
The Search for One-eye Jimmy1994Junior
Federal Hill1994Ralph
Men Lie1994
L.A. Law1993TV SeriesAnthony
Young Indiana Jones1993TV SeriesBig Al Brown
Malcolm X1992Boston Cop (as Nick Turturro)
Mac1992Tony Gloves
Law & Order1992TV SeriesPoletti
Dead and Alive: The Race for Gus Farace1991TV MovieDanny D'Arcangelo
Jungle Fever1991Vinny
Men of Respect1990Bingo
Mo' Better Blues1990Josh Flatbush
Do the Right Thing1989Extra (uncredited)
A Chance in the World2017post-productionMike Silvia
The Eyes2017Charlie
Justice League Dark2017VideoBoston Brand Deadman (voice)
The Night Of2016TV Mini-SeriesDetective
The Crossroads of History2016TV SeriesFrancesco del Giocondo
Blue Bloods2010-2016TV SeriesSgt. Anthony Renzulli
Subterranea2015Remy
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 22015Nick Panero
Hit the Floor2014TV Series
Here Comes the Boom2012Ref at Pier (as Nick Turturro)
Super Cyclone2012VideoTravis Verdon
White Collar2012TV SeriesDelancy
TalhotBlond2012TV MovieDetective Moretti
Nick the Doorman2012TV MovieNick
The Protector2011TV Series
Zookeeper2011Manny (as Nick Turturro)
Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star2011Antonio (as Nick Turturro)
Fancypants2011Randy

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Nick the Doorman2012TV Movie
The Deported2009writer

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Nick the Doorman2012TV Movie producer
The Deported2009producer

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Nick the Doorman2012TV Movie

Composer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Nick the Doorman2012TV Movie

Editor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Nick the Doorman2012TV Movie

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
'NYPD Blue': A Final Tribute2005TV Movie documentary special thanks
Inside 'NYPD Blue': A Decade on the Job2002TV Short documentary special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith2006TV SeriesHimself
Celebrity Fit Club2006TV SeriesHimself
'NYPD Blue': A Final Tribute2005TV Movie documentaryHimself / Det. James Martinez
ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration2003TV Special documentaryHimself
Inside 'NYPD Blue': A Decade on the Job2002TV Short documentaryHimself (uncredited)
Late Night with Conan O'Brien1994-2000TV SeriesHimself
5th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards1999TV SpecialHimself
4th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards1998TV SpecialHimself
The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1997TV SpecialHimself
Late Show with David Letterman1994-1997TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Guest
WWE Raw1995TV SeriesHimself
WrestleMania XI1995TV SpecialHimself
WWF Superstars1995TV SeriesHimself
The 20th Annual People's Choice Awards1994TV SpecialHimself - Accepting Award for Favorite Television Dramatic Series / New Dramatic Television Series
The 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1994TV SpecialHimself - Nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Shawn Michaels: Mr Wrestlemania2014Video documentaryHimself
Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart2011VideoHimself
WWE WrestleMania: The Complete Anthology, Vol. 32005VideoHimself

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1995ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNYPD Blue (1993)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2005Chainsaw AwardFangoria Chainsaw AwardsBest Supporting ActorThe Hillside Strangler (2004)
2000ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNYPD Blue (1993)
1999ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNYPD Blue (1993)
1998ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNYPD Blue (1993)
1997Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesNYPD Blue (1993)
1997ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNYPD Blue (1993)
1996NCLR Bravo AwardNCLR Bravo AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesNYPD Blue (1993)
1996ActorScreen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesNYPD Blue (1993)
1995Independent Spirit AwardIndependent Spirit AwardsBest Supporting MaleFederal Hill (1994)
1994Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesNYPD Blue (1993)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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