Entertainment · Film · 2 hrs ago
Giancarlo Esposito says he and John Turturro clashed on ‘Do the Right Thing’
Giancarlo Esposito says he and John Turturro disliked each other while working on Spike Lee’s 1989 film *Do the Right Thing*.
Esposito played Buggin’ Out, a neighborhood activist, while Turturro played Pino, the racist son of a pizza shop owner.
Their characters’ conflict helped drive the film’s racial tensions, which culminate in a riot.
The actors, both from New York, later appeared together in other films, but had not done substantial scenes together since *Jungle Fever* in 1991.
They reunited in the crime drama *The Only Living Pickpocket in New York*, directed by Noah Segan.
During a scene, Turturro stopped and told Esposito, “You’re my uncle.
You’re my father.
You’re my family,” bringing Esposito to tears.
The moment reflected how their relationship had changed, and Esposito said he felt the same bond.
Giancarlo Esposito says he and John Turturro hated each other while filming Do the Right Thing.
Esposito said he thought Turturro probably felt the same way, though he also felt a connection with him.
The actors have since grown closer and reunited in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.
Esposito recalled Turturro becoming emotional during a scene in the new film and telling him, “You’re my uncle. You’re my father. You’re my family.”
Do the Right Thing, directed by Spike Lee, was released in 1989.
- Who
- Actors Giancarlo Esposito and John Turturro.
- What
- Esposito recalled that they hated each other while filming Do the Right Thing, but have since developed a close bond.
- When
- The clash occurred during filming of the 1989 film. Esposito discussed it in an interview published in October 2026.
- Where
- On the set of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, set in a Brooklyn neighbourhood.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing was released, with Esposito and Turturro among its cast.
Esposito and Turturro appeared together in Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues and Jungle Fever.
Esposito discussed his past friction with Turturro and their reunion in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.
- Film
- Do the Right Thing
- Director
- Spike Lee
- Release year
- 1989
- Esposito’s role
- Buggin’ Out
- Turturro’s role
- Pino
- New film
- The Only Living Pickpocket in New York
3 sources
Giancarlo Esposito remembers John Turturro beef during ‘Do The Right Thing?’ shoot: “I hated him”
Giancarlo Esposito and John Turturro really hated each other on Do The Right Thing set
Giancarlo Esposito and John Turturro Hated Each Other on ‘Do the Right Thing.’ Now They Break Character to Cry Mid-Scene
What people are saying
I hated him on Do the Right Thing, to be honest with you, and he probably hated me to a certain extent
He stared into my eyes and said, ‘You’re my uncle. You’re my father. You’re my family.’
We’re both Italian, and we’re linked somehow in our genetic structure, in who we are and where we come from.