Turturro and Walken Reflect on Their Long-Standing Friendship

NEW YORK, Feb. 21, 2025 — Actors John Turturro and Christopher Walken shared insights into their decades-long friendship during a recent exclusive interview with PEOPLE. The pair, who star in the Apple TV+ series ‘Severance,’ discussed their offscreen bond and the chemistry that has developed from years of collaboration.

‘We have fun together and it’s easy to develop a sort of chemistry,’ Turturro, 67, said, reflecting on their dynamic as they portray Burt and Irving, employees at the fictitious Lumon Industries.

In the show, which has captivated audiences with its thrilling mysteries, the pair brings levity to the story, making their characters a highlight of the series. ‘Do I annoy you?’ Walken, 81, jokingly asked Turturro, who quickly replied, ‘No, no. You never have.’

Their fondness for each other extends to personal gestures, as Turturro noted, ‘I know that you like when my wife makes banana bread.’ To which Walken eagerly affirmed, ‘I do like that!’

Turturro expressed that these shared moments are part of what has made them successful collaborators over the years, stating, ‘That’s sort of an important thing, sharing home-cooked baked goods. That’s why we’ve worked together so many times.’

The actors first met during Turturro’s time at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University. Walken recalled the early days, saying, ‘I remember I said hello to you. I was an usher. I was a student.’

The two got their initial taste of working together in the 1995 drama ‘Search and Destroy,’ where they encountered challenges during a cold night shoot in New Jersey. ‘I remember it was so cold the camera froze,’ Walken reminisced.

Despite the challenges, the friendship and professional rapport that formed have led to multiple collaborations, including three films directed by Turturro featuring Walken. ‘I had so much fun doing those and I keep asking you when you’re going to do another one,’ Walken said earnestly.

Turturro remarked on what keeps their partnership strong: ‘Unpredictability, spontaneity. I have fun — a lot of fun.’

When asked if they would label their connection a ‘bromance,’ both actors chose to decline the label. ‘I’ve known John a long time, and we get along,’ Walken noted. Turturro added, ‘That’s the nice thing about life when you connect with people, you appreciate that.’

New episodes of ‘Severance’ are available on Fridays on Apple TV+, continuing to explore the intricate world that has captivated viewers.