Nicholas Turturro

Nicholas Turturro
Name	Nicholas Turturro
Birth date	29 January 1962
Birth place	Queens, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1989–present
Spouse	Brenda Paola, 2003
Relatives	John Turturro (brother), Aida Turturro (cousin)

Nicholas Turturro is an American actor best known for his role as Detective James Martinez on the acclaimed police drama NYPD Blue. A member of a prominent acting family, his career spans over three decades, featuring roles in major Hollywood films and numerous television series. His work often explores themes of New York City life, law enforcement, and Italian-American identity.

Early life and education

Nicholas Turturro was born on January 29, 1962, in the Queens borough of New York City. He is the younger brother of actor John Turturro and a cousin of actress Aida Turturro. Raised in a working-class Italian-American family, his father, Nicholas Turturro Sr., was a construction worker and his mother, Katherine, was a homemaker. He attended Newtown High School before pursuing his interest in acting, which was heavily influenced by his brother's early career in Off-Broadway theater and the vibrant New York City arts scene.

Career

Turturro's professional acting career began in the late 1980s with small roles in films like ''Do the Right Thing'' (1989), directed by Spike Lee. His breakthrough came in 1993 when he was cast as Detective James Martinez on the groundbreaking ABC series NYPD Blue, a role he played for seven seasons, earning critical acclaim. This role established him as a recognizable face in television and led to significant film work, including parts in Jungle Fever (1991), The Firm (1993), and Meet the Parents (2000). His career has consistently blended work in prime time television, such as a recurring role on Third Watch, with character parts in independent film.

Personal life

Nicholas Turturro married actress Brenda Paola in 2003, and the couple has two children. He maintains a relatively private life compared to some of his Hollywood contemporaries, residing primarily in the New York City area. His family remains deeply connected to the arts, with his brother John Turturro being an acclaimed actor and director, and his cousin Aida Turturro known for her role on The Sopranos. Outside of acting, Turturro has been involved in various charitable endeavors, particularly those supporting New York City communities.

Filmography

* Do the Right Thing (1989) as Officer Long * Jungle Fever (1991) as Vinny * Mac (1992) as Bruno * The Firm (1993) as a Delta Pilot * Federal Hill (1994) as Ralph * She's So Lovely (1997) as Joey * Meet the Parents (2000) as Detective * The Last Request (2006) as Father Paul * The Wannabe (2015) as Albert

Television credits

* NYPD Blue (1993–2000, 2004) as Detective James Martinez * Third Watch (2001–2002) as Officer Hector Villanueva * CSI: Miami (2004) as Tony Ramirez * The Sopranos (2006) as FBI Agent Grasso * Blue Bloods (2011) as Sal Provenza * Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2012, 2015) as Detective Falco / Vincent Terranova * The Blacklist (2014) as Rudd * Power (2018) as Salvatore "Sal" Bonanno

Awards and nominations

For his performance on NYPD Blue, Nicholas Turturro received a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 1996, which the cast won. He has also been recognized by the ALMA Awards for his portrayal of a Latino police officer. While he has not won major individual acting awards, his consistent work is noted within the industry, particularly for contributing to the success of one of television's most celebrated police procedural dramas.

Category:American male television actors Category:American film actors Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:Actors from Queens, New York Category:Italian-American actors