The New York Times has a meaty article about the sad, downward spiral of actor Lillo Brancato, Jr., who is charged with killing an off-duty police officer. It describes Lillo's big break into acting, in A Bronx Tale with Robert DeNiro, and how he came full circle from that role to the shooting last weekend. The home that he allegedly tried to rob was next door to the home of an actor who co-starred with Brancato in A Bronx Tale. Brancato spent a lot of time at that home, because he dated the actor's sister. He also knew the neighbor whose home he tried to rob. The man, who died last summer, was a Vietnam veteran who was reportedly star-struck by Brancato.The article also details Brancato's long-time addiction to drugs and alcohol which eventually started costing him roles in television and movies. It also gives information about Brancato's relationship to the man he was arrested with, 48-year-old Steven Armento. It says Brancato has a rocky relationship with Armento's daughter, but because the two shared the same affection for drugs and alcohol, they could yell at each other about the girl and then go for a drink.
There are also more details about the robbery and shooting. Apparently Brancato and his buddy decided to rob a vacant apartment because they thought the former owner left behind a drug stash. They didn't know that a 28-year-old cop had rented the space next door and when the officer confronted them, Armento shot the cop. A shootout ensued, and Brancato was hit twice. Police picked him up, bleeding heavily, and fleeing the crime scene. He and Armento are charged with murder and are being held without bail.
By the way, if you want to see Lillo, Cinemax is showing A Bronx Tale tomorrow night.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
12-16-2005 @ 3:46PM
Zarbon said...
This doesn't change my opinion on Brancato being my 2nd most favorite actor in the world. I still love him and always will. I feel annoyed at Armento for shooting the cop in the first place and putting them into that position. I personally have loved Brancato and the roles he plays for the last 13 years. He was Matthew Bevilaqua, my 2nd fav guy from The Sopranos. He will always be my 2nd most favorite actor in the world, my #1 most favorite actor being Anthony DeSando.
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12-16-2005 @ 4:21PM
LC said...
I could enjoy a movie, if it is well acted and has a good story, regardless of the stars or directors personal or political beliefs, but I draw a line when they do something like this.
I will never watch anything this scumbag was in, no matter how well received it was.
The two of them would do the world a favor if they hang themselves today.
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12-16-2005 @ 4:34PM
Big Fan!! said...
We stil love you Lillo no matter what!! We stand behind you!! God bless!!
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12-16-2005 @ 4:35PM
Big Fan!! said...
We stil love you Lillo no matter what!! We stand behind you!! God bless!!
http://www.lillobrancatojr.com
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12-16-2005 @ 4:36PM
Big Fan!! said...
We stil love you Lillo no matter what!! We stand behind you!! God bless!!
http://www.lillobrancatojr.com
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12-16-2005 @ 5:39PM
B said...
You'll continue to stand by him, even though he shot a cop? That's hard core.
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12-16-2005 @ 6:09PM
Big Fan!! said...
He did not shoot anyone. Try reading the news before you make a comment!
http://www.lillobrancatojr.com
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12-16-2005 @ 6:11PM
Big Fan!! said...
He did not shoot anyone. Try reading the news before you make a comment!
http://www.lillobrancatojr.com
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12-16-2005 @ 6:51PM
LC said...
" He did not shoot anyone. Try reading the news before you make a comment!"
That is correct, he didn't shoot. He just left a cop to bleed to death. A real prince among men.
He was involved in a break in where his partner killed a cop. With any luck he will be convicted as an accesory to murder. I only hope the taxpayers save money and he dies from an infection to his wounds before trial.
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12-16-2005 @ 7:16PM
ryanknapper said...
I can't imagine being so much of a fan of an actor that I would forgive all of their crimes. Has he cured cancer? Clothed the hungry? Fed the naked? No, he's a guy who may be attractive (I don't know) who made some money by playing pretend. Everyday I pretend to not be fat and that I'm desirable to have in bed. Trust me, my performance deserves a medal.
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12-16-2005 @ 8:09PM
Albus Dumbledore said...
So, Big Fan!!, if that website you link to is yours, are you going to update his Bio, or are you going to pretend that this never happened?
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12-16-2005 @ 8:13PM
Diana said...
OH COME ON PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He didn't shoot the cop...........HE WAS ONLY COMMITTING A ROBBERY. To bad he prefered drugs, booze and up until now petty crime to the acting career you all seem so dedicated to. 2nd favorite actor on the Sopranos????????????? What was he your cousin? Give me a break. We may have had our differences, we Canadians and you US, but I always admired how proud you were of your men and women in uniform, I know this is just a bunch of the bridge and tunnel crew taking ****, but it is too bad and really a shame. Much love and respect to the officer's family.
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12-16-2005 @ 9:58PM
Big Fan!! said...
"That is correct, he didn't shoot. He just left a cop to bleed to death. A real prince among men."
He was shot himself. What the hell would you do if you were shot? sit there and bleed? duhhhh
I'm sure all of you are without sin i'm sure. You ever hear of cast the first stone!!
Learn to forgive and move on.
If this was not a cop shot you all would not be saying anything or if it was not Lillo. It would not be big news. It would be like the rest of the thousands that lose there lives to guns every year!And like i said he did not shoot anyone and thats that. Let the legal system do the rest.
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12-16-2005 @ 10:30PM
Big Fan!! said...
No it's not my website just so ya know!
http://www.lillobrancatojr.com
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12-16-2005 @ 11:51PM
LC said...
"He was shot himself. What the hell would you do if you were shot? sit there and bleed? duhhhh"
Well he did run which would increase his heart rate which would cause blood loss even faster so DUHHH yeah I would have stayed put. Besides if he was so innocent he would have differentiated himself from his homicidal buddy by calling for help, for himself and the officer, after the shooting.
"I'm sure all of you are without sin i'm sure. You ever hear of cast the first stone!!"
Congrats on your entry for dumbest statement of the year. You just got it in under the wire. WHy even limit that statement to a burned out actor. Let's use it on Pol Pot. How dare anyone cast stones at Pol Pot when they are not without sin.
I think it's pretty safe to assume that those rightfully bashing this waste of human life, though probably not without sin, certainly are not involved in the sin of murder.
"Learn to forgive and move on.
If this was not a cop shot you all would not be saying anything or if it was not Lillo. It would not be big news. It would be like the rest of the thousands that lose there lives to guns every year!And like i said he did not shoot anyone and thats that. Let the legal system do the rest."
Spare us your sanctimonious drivel. You know damned well if it was not your precious Lillo, you too would be calling for his head. Let's be clear on something, if it was not him of course we would not be commenting on it, because it would have no relevence being posted here if an actor were not involved. I, for one, would be just as hard on this strung out chimp, if he murdered a civillian. I am confident that the criminal justice system will prevail and Lillo will be taking it in the posterior for at least 20 years.
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12-16-2005 @ 11:42PM
Marie said...
I'm not gonna say anything bad about Brancato, but I'm not gonna say anything good about him either. A cop was killed trying to protect and serve his community whether he was off duty or not, that's his job. You can't question his motive to try and do something about someone trying to break into his next door neighbors home, that's what cops are trained to do. I'm pretty sure that if he hadn't done anything, alot of people would've been like, "There was a cop next door and he didn't do anything about it?" So, you can't blame the cop, you blame the person who was committing the crime. As for Brancato, yea I admit to being a fan of his movies, because he's a great actor. But he has to learn that you can't get by in life because you're an actor. He made a wrong choice and now he's gotta lve with it for the rest of his life.
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12-16-2005 @ 11:43PM
Marie said...
I'm not gonna say anything bad about Brancato, but I'm not gonna say anything good about him either. A cop was killed trying to protect and serve his community whether he was off duty or not, that's his job. You can't question his motive to try and do something about someone trying to break into his next door neighbors home, that's what cops are trained to do. I'm pretty sure that if he hadn't done anything, alot of people would've been like, "There was a cop next door and he didn't do anything about it?" So, you can't blame the cop, you blame the person who was committing the crime. As for Brancato, yea I admit to being a fan of his movies, because he's a great actor. But he has to learn that you can't get by in life because you're an actor. He made a wrong choice and now he's gotta lve with it for the rest of his life.
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12-22-2005 @ 1:58PM
TISH said...
I REALLY LIKED HIM IN THE MOVIE "BRONX TALE" BUT I THINK HE SHOULD GET IN TROUBLE FOR ROBBING AND TAKING PART IN SOMEONE'S DEATH. DRUG ADDICTS AND THEIFS/MURDERS ALL THE SAME.WEAK ALL OF THEM WEAK. ITS A SHAME SOMEONES SON,GRANDSON,COUSIN,UNCLE HAD TO GET HURT THEIR WHOLE FAMILY WILL SUFFER BECAUSE SOME CRACK HEADS DECIDED TO ROB A HOUSE FOR DRUGS AND DIDNT WANT TO GET BUSTED SO THEY JUST KILL A MAN AND LEAVE HIM TO DIE. (WOW, WE LOVE YOU LILLO YOUR MY HERO) GIVE ME A BREAK ALL OF U R DISGUSTING U MAKE ME ILL.
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12-22-2005 @ 8:42PM
Big Fan!! said...
It's not a "they" it was one guy who killed the police officer. I'm sure if you were shot to you would just stand there and help someone else???? yeah right!!
And to the other poster if you were shot you would stand still because the blood moves faster? Yeah right again! Get shot buddy for real and see if you just just stand there. Get real!
http://www.lillobrancatojr.com
It's not a "they" it was one guy who killed the police officer. I'm sure if you were shot to you would just stand there and help someone else???? yeah right!!
And to the other poster if you were shot you would stand still because the blood moves faster? Yeah right again! Get shot buddy for real and see if you just just stand there. Get real!
http://www.lillobrancatojr.com
Reply
12-25-2005 @ 12:12AM
EJ said...
Wow, I had no idea Mr. Brancato, Jr. inspired so much passion. I saw him in "A Bronx Tale" and "Crimson Tide" and "The Sopranos," the last two credits were tiny roles; you know, blink and you would have missed him. I believe the papers have referred to Mr. Brancato, Jr. as a bit actor, and now his bit acting days are gone forever. That he was not holding the smoking gun is really irrelevant. He was shot in the course of a break-in and shooting. Additionally, Mr. Brancato, Jr. had been arrested before for drug possession and harrassment (I think). Obviously, this young man was indeed spiraling out of control and what happened was inevitable. It's sad that Lillo Brancato, Jr.'s life is over, but it's much more sad that someone was killed, and three families have been changed for ever as well. This is what people need to bear in mind. Because of his arrogant selfishness, three families have been destroyed. And surely everyone understands that save for Robert DeNiro paying for Lillo Brancato's attorney, none of his other "star" friends are there for him. And that's the way it is folks in Hollywood!
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