The 'Plot Against America' actor proudly claims he is 'basically Jewish' because he is surrounded by Jews in his life and portrays Jewish characters on screen.
- April 7, 2020
AceShowbiz -
John Turturro feels like an honorary Jew after playing a Rabbi in new HBO drama "The Plot Against America".
The "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" star is surrounded by Jews in his life and often portrays Jewish characters. He even comes from a long line of Ashkenazi Jews.
"I feel like an honorary Jew," John says. "My wife is Jewish, my kids are Jewish. I mean I grew up in New York City, so I'm basically Jewish!"
"I went down to the Jewish community in Charleston, South Carolina for my research (for this role) and they really embraced me."
Turturro even took a genetics test to see if there were Jews in his roots, and discovered he has Ashkenazi ancestors.
"I thought I would be Sephardic, but no," he laughs.
The "Plot Against America" creator David Simon admits he cast John as a Rabbi in his movie - because he was an obvious choice.
"He'd already done Bernie Bernbaum (Miller's Crossing), Herbie Stempel (Quiz Show), Primo Levy (The Truce)," Simon says. "At this point, the only thing you can do if you cast John in another Jewish part is to make him a Rabbi, which is a new level - and give him a Southern accent."
