Giancarlo Esposito “Hated” John Turturro When They First Met on Set of ‘Do the Right Thing'
2026 Toronto International Film Festival - The Only Living Pickpocket In New York Premiere (L-R) Giancarlo Esposito and John Turturro attend the red carpet for ˜The Only Living Pickpocket In New York premiere during the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) at Roy Thomson Hall. on September 16, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. Toronto Ontario Canada
Giancarlo Esposito and John Turturro have been friends for nearly four decades. But their relationship did not exactly get off to the warmest start. The actors first crossed paths in Spike Lee's iconic 1989 film Do the Right Thing. Back then, Esposito played Buggin' Out, a passionate neighborhood activist, while Turturro took on the role of Pino, an openly racist character.
Fast-forward 37 years, and the longtime friends are sharing the screen once again in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. And, as it turns out, their latest promotional run has been just as interesting as their reunion. Esposito hated Turturro when they began working together on Spike Lee's 1989 classic.
Giancarlo Esposito and John Turturro hated each other
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Giancarlo Esposito recalled how he hated John Turturro when they first met. Seemingly, the racially charged atmosphere on the sets of Do the Right Thing created some genuine tension between the two actors.
"I hated him on Do the Right Thing, to be honest with you, and he probably hated me to a certain extent... But I loved him all in the same emotional feeling because I recognized him."
2026 Toronto International Film Festival - The Only Living Pickpocket In New York Premiere (L-R) John Turturro, Will Price, Noah Segan and Giancarlo Esposito attend the red carpet for ˜The Only Living Pickpocket In New York premiere during the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) at Roy Thomson Hall. on September 16, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. Toronto Ontario Canada
Esposito did not get into the specifics during his THR interview of what caused the rift, but the two actors went on to work together several more times, including on Spike Lee's Mo' Better Blues (1990) and Jungle Fever (1991). Whatever bad blood existed between them, however, has long since disappeared.
Today, the two New York natives share a friendship that feels more like family. Esposito even described the experience of sharing the screen with his longtime friend again as surreal.
Giancarlo Esposito called it a dream to reunite with John Turturro
Giancarlo Esposito has described reuniting with John Turturro as a "dream come true," while talking to Us at the New York Film Festival premiere. Esposito also recalled how the reunion came together while he was attending a fashion show in Italy for Zegna. At the Zegna fashion show in Italy, he ran into Turturro, who asked him to join his upcoming film.
October 7, 2026, New York, Ny, United States: Dom Acquista, Giancarlo Esposito, Karina Arroyave, Noah Segan, John Turturro, Will Price, Michael Barker and Tom Bernard attend the 64th New York Film Festival Noah Segan s The Only Living Pickpocket in New York New York Premiere. Held at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York. Zuma Press. October 7, 2026 New York United States - ZUMAp281 20261007_zea_p281_001
Although Esposito, who played Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, initially wondered whether he could fit it into his schedule, he was more than happy to make it work for his longtime co-star. As luck would have it, the timing worked out perfectly. Their new project, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, brings the two actors back together for another New York-set story, this time exploring how much the city has changed over the decades.
What do you think about Giancarlo Esposito's revelation? Let us know in the comments!
Edited By: Adiba Nizami
