Dr. Christopher Turk, M.D. | |
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Scrubs character | |
First appearance | "My First Day" |
Last appearance | "Our Thanks" |
Created by | Bill Lawrence |
Portrayed by | Donald Faison |
Information | |
Nickname(s) | Chris, Chrissy, Turk, Brown Bear, Chocolate Bear, Turk Turkleton, Turkleberry, Gumball, Gandhi |
Gender | Male |
Occupation | Surgeon |
Title | Chief of Surgery |
Family | Mr. Turk (father) Margaret Turk (mother) Kevin Turk (brother) Bob "Jabbari" Turk (brother) Unnamed sister |
Spouse(s) | Carla Espinosa |
Children | Isabella "Izzy" Turk (daughter) Unnamed daughter (implied to have been born by season 9) |
Relatives | George (cousin) |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Christopher Duncan Turk, M.D., commonly referred to by his last name "Turk" is a fictional character in the American comedy-drama Scrubs, played by Donald Faison. Turk appeared in every episode of the series except three season 8 episodes, "My Saving Grace", "My New Role" and "My Lawyer's in Love". Faison is the only original cast member, besides John C. McGinley, that returns for season 9 as a regular cast member.
Commonly known by his surname, "Turk" is the best friend and former roommate of the series' protagonist, J.D. (Zach Braff). Turk was J.D.'s roommate at the College of William and Mary and at medical school, and the two have an extremely close relationship, which is best described as "guy love" in the season 6 episode "My Musical". J.D. claims that Turk's middle name, Duncan, was chosen due to his father's love of doughnuts.
Starting in season 1 as a surgical intern, he worked his way up to attending surgeon (season 5) and later the chief of surgery (seasons 8 and 9) at Sacred Heart Hospital, where the series takes place. In season 1, he begins dating Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes), the Head Nurse; at the end of season 3, they get married. He and Carla have an infant daughter, Isabella ("Izzy"), as well as another daughter mentioned in season 8 and 9. He could have a son, who is shown in season 8 finale "My Finale", when J.D. visualizes his future.
Turk is an extroverted, competitive "alpha male". He says that his competitive nature drove him to "play everything" in high school, and also cites it as the main reason that he became a surgeon. At one point, he also says "winning is more important than friendship. My Gram-Gram taught me that". It also accounts for his antagonistic relationship with Chief Attending Physician Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley); in season 1, they compete for Carla's affections, and consistently insult and annoy each other throughout the series. In a season 6 episode, they fight a battle of wits over a hypochondriac patient. Turk eventually tricks Cox into losing, eliciting Cox's grudging respect.