Julianne Moore on Working With ‘Gloria Bell’ Costar John Turturro: ‘He’s Just a Phenomenal Actor’ (Exclusive)

They may have each played memorable roles in the Coen Brothers’ 1998 cult favorite The Big Lebowski, but Julianne Moore and John Turturro didn’t actually share any scenes in that film. That’s decidedly not the case with their new movie, Gloria Bell, in which they costar as single parents who embark on a tumultuous romantic relationship.

“We know each other socially, but we’d never worked together. So, for me, this was an amazing experience,” Julianne, 58, exclusively gushed to Closer Weekly in the magazine’s latest issue, on newsstands now, of John, 62. “He’s just a phenomenal actor and such a soulful and interesting guy.”

The feeling was mutual for John. “Julianne is really lovely,” he tells Closer. “She’s so easy to work with.”

The role required the actors to do a number of nude scenes, but they didn’t flinch. “What was really important about this movie is truth and authenticity,” says Julianne. “People can sense when things are fake. So the two of us wanted to make the scenes seem very real.”

For John, a romantic lead is a departure from his traditional character roles, but “I am a love interest in real life,” says the star, who’s been married to actress Katherine Borowitz since 1985. “I love working with women.”

After being in the industry for more than 30 years, Julianne admits that acting is nothing like it used to be. “It’s very difficult to find parts no matter how old you are, no matter where you are and whether you’re a man or a woman,” she previously told Marie Claire in a January 2016 interview. “The movie industry is not in the business of finding good roles for actors or actresses. It is in the business of creating films that will make as much money as possible.”

For more on Julianne Moore and John Turturro, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now — and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for more exclusive news!