Trivia

Was released from prison on December 31, 2013.

He served a 10 year sentence at Oneida Correctional Facility in Rome, N.Y., for a 2005 burglary, which resulted in the death of an off-duty police officer. He has reportedly kicked his drug habit and earned his high-school equivalency diploma. He became eligible for parole and was released on December 31, 2013.

He was cast in a small role in American Sniper (2014) but his parole officer wouldn't allow him to travel to Morocco for filming.

In December 2005 he was arrested and hospitalized after he and a friend, Steven Armento, were shot by off-duty New York City police officer Daniel Enchautegui when the officer caught them committing a burglary. Amento was armed and fired at the officer, who died of his wounds. He was sentenced to life in prison for murder. Brancato, who was not armed at the time, was also shot by the officer and left in critical condition. He was convicted of attempted burglary and sentenced to ten years in prison.

At four months of age, he was adopted and subsequently raised in Yonkers, New York.

He was discovered while swimming at Jones Beach by talent scouts who were searching for Robert De Niro look-alikes. It was his impersonation of De Niro from Taxi Driver (1976) that won him the role of young Calogero.

Parents are Lillo Brancato, Sr. and Domenica Brancato. His younger brother, Vincent Brancato, had a small uncredited part in A Bronx Tale (1993). Vincent was one of the boys who jumped onto the back of the bus driven by Robert De Niro. Vincent was the one closest to the screen.