Lillo Brancato Jr. popped into the world on August 30, 1976, and in movie circles you know him as the kid Calogero Anello from Robert De Niros first film behind the camera, A Bronx Tale. He then scored a bigger TV spotlight playing Matthew Bevilaqua, the budding young wise-guy on HBOs smash show The Sopranos. Since those big breaks hes been in other big-name flicks such as Vacation, The Hangover Part II, Ocean’s Eleven, and even Transformers: Age of Extinction. Talk about money has been all over the map, but the best figures say Lillo Brancato net worth sits around 2 million dollars, mostly from those acting gigs and guest spots in film and TV.
Though the mid-2000s brought him courtrooms instead of cast lines he has worked hard to turn things around and keep the cameras rolling again. Today you can catch him on Instagram, where he posts the highs and lows of ordinary life and keeps fans wondering whats next. His adoptive father is Lillo Brancato Sr. and his mother is Domenica Brancato.
Social Profiles
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lillo Brancato Jr. |
| Birth Name | Saúl Rodríguez |
| Date of Birth | August 30, 1976 |
| Place of Birth | Bogotá, Colombia |
| Adoptive Father | Lillo Brancato Sr. |
| Adoptive Mother | Domenica Brancato |
| Siblings | Vincent Brancato (adoptive brother) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Notable Works | A Bronx Tale, The Sopranos |
| Marital Status | Not publicly known |
| Children | Not publicly known |
| Net Worth | Approximately $2 million |
Lillo Brancato Net worth
Lillo Brancato net worth in 2025 sits somewhere between $2 million. Most of his money still comes from the small paychecks he earned as a kid actor, some newer roles, and speaking gigs where he talks honestly about turning his life around. Unfortunately, legal problems and prison time interrupted his career for years, knocking his finances off course and making it much harder to find steady work.
Income sources and business ventures
Lillo Brancato Jr. earns money mostly through acting, speaking events, and advocacy work:
- Acting Career: His biggest paycheck still comes from small parts in films and shows like A Bronx Tale, The Sopranos, and Renaissance Man , along with a few indie movies. Even though legal problems paused his career for a while, he’s taking new roles after prison to win back fans and directors.
- Public Speaking and Advocacy: Since being released, Brancato has toured schools and events, sharing stories about drug abuse and the heavy price of bad choices. These talks not only pay the bills but also keep his name in the public eye.
- Producer Role: He has stepped behind the camera as a producer on a short film called The Fury, showing he still loves storytelling from every angle.
- No Major Businesses: Outside show business, there are no known side hustles or big investments, so most of his money rides on acting and the steady climb back after prison.
Comparison with Co-stars
Joe Pesci net worth: about $50 million
Chazz Palminteri net worth: around $16 million
When you stack her earnings next to those of her co-stars, Brancatos money looks small. Time off from acting kept his paycheck modest.
Early life and Education
Brancato, who was born Saúl Rodríguez on August 30, 1976, in Bogotá, Colombia, was adopted four months later by an Italian-American couple and raised in Yonkers, New York. His father worked as a construction laborer and his mother as an electrolysis technician. Even though he was born in Colombia, Brancato strongly identifies with Italy, claiming, “I consider myself Italian. I was raised to eat pasta.”
Brancato entered the world of acting almost by chance. In 1992, a talent agent saw him swimming at Jones Beach, New York. The agent was impressed with Brancato’s impression of Robert De Niro and his resemblance to the actor which was heightened by his performance as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver. This got him the role of De Niro’s son in A Bronx Tale. Interestingly, Brancato is about 5’7” (1.70 m) tall.
Lillo Brancato Personal Life
Relationships and Family
Lillo Brancato Jr. has not been legally wed and lacks verified details of a spouse. He has, however, been with rather notable names including Stefanie Armento (2003–2005) and Chanel Capra (1993–1994). There is some speculation surrounding a possible loyal partner by the name of Kristina Chen, but this remains unverified. Some videos and social media content do show him celebrating a wedding with a woman who is called his wife, yet publicly accessible information regarding her name remains limited.
Redemption Story and Sobriety
For Brancato, time spent behind bars pushed him toward real change, giving him a chance to rethink everything. Now he uses that story in anti-drug groups, hoping others will learn from his mistakes instead of repeating them. Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, he plans to keep living clean, acting steady, and helping whoever he can.
Career Summary and Highlights in Acting
A Bronx Tale Breakthrough Role
Brancato’s portrayal of Calogero, a boy balancing the life of an honest father and a local mafia boss, was received positively. He starred alongside Robert De Niro and Chazz Palminteri. For his work, he was paid around $25,000, which would be about $54,400 today. This role put him on the map as a promising young actor in Hollywood.
Additional Noteworthy Works
After A Bronx Tale, Brancato worked in many films during the late 90s like Renaissance Man (1994) and Crimson Tide (1995). He became more recognized for the role of Matthew Bevilaqua, a young mobster on HBO’s The Sopranos (2000), where he featured in several episodes during the show’s second season.
Other notable films include ‘R Xmas (2001), The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002), and Saturday Morning (2007). His filmography also includes many independant and short films, showcasing a broad, albeit fragmented, range of works.
Newer Roles and Return to Acting (After 2013)
Brancato began acting again after being released from prison in late 2013. He took independent film roles like Back in the Day (2016), Dead on Arrival (2017), and 5th Borough (2020). He also narrated the 2020 music video for Chris Brown and Young Thug’s “City Girls” and appeared in documentaries such as Wasted Talent (2018). As of the 2024 updates, Brancato is actively trying through public appearances and films to rebuild his career.
Legal Issues and Imprisonment
Brancato’s life took a devastating change in 2005. He was Baired on the Bronx for a named on under.
While this event took placed at a off-duty police work 2005, he was charged with attempted burglary and sentenced with 10 years indexed in high security county jail.
Future Prospects and Public Image
Brancato is eyeing fresh parts in smaller indie movies and might even step back into gritty crime dramas. He could also use his own story to host a podcast, speak at events, or mentor younger talent, slowly rebuilding the goodwill his name once carried. Although hurdles are still around, his sheer determination points toward a brighter, more hopeful chapter ahead.
Is Lillo Brancato Still Alive and Active?
Yes, as of early 2024, Lillo Brancato is very much alive and out there working. He’s rebuilt his life after a tough past, stayed sober for over ten years, and talks openly about that journey. Acting remains part of his world, and he also advocates for programs that helped save him.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much did Lillo Brancato get paid for A Bronx Tale?
For his work in A Bronx Tale, he pocketed around $25,000-a little over $54,000 when you adjust for inflation today.
What’s Lillo Brancato doing now?
These days, he acts in indie films, speaks publicly about his past, and advocates for sober living.
Did Lillo Brancato get married?
So far, he has never publicly announced that he is married.
Is Lillo Brancato still sober?
Yes indeed-he has been sober for more than ten years and often encourages others to stay clean.
Is Lillo Brancato still alive in 2024?
Yes, he is alive and working on new projects as of 2024.
Does Lillo Brancato have any children?
He has not shared any public information about having kids.
What are Lillo Brancato’s current movies or projects?
Most recently, he appeared in the indie film 5th Borough (2020) and he continues looking for new roles.
What is Lillo Brancato’s height and age?
He stands about 5-foot-7 and, born in 1976, is either 47 or 48 in 2024 depending on his birthday.
Conclusion
Lillo Brancatos life story reads like a movie script, mixing early fame, hard falls, and hopeful comebacks. After earning praise for his role in A Bronx Tale, he faced addiction, jail time, and many personal battles, yet he keeps trying to move forward. Today, even with a smaller bank account, he shows that resilience matters more than money and proves that every day can be a fresh start.
Also read more: Seamus Kirby Cause of Death
