The documentary Wasted Talent follows 41-year-old actor Lillo Brancato‘s rise from obscurity to movie star in Robert De Niro’s 1993 directorial debut A Bronx Tale — and his fall from grace after being involved in a crime that left NYPD Officer Daniel Enchautegui murdered. Interestingly, Director Steve Sanulis (Clinton Road, Fifth Borough) is himself a decorated, retired NYPD officer. Drea de Matteo (“The Sopranos”), music producer Damon Dash, Paula Devicq (“Party of Five”) and columnist A.J. Benza appear alongside many more in the film.
After his acting debut in A Bronx Tale, Brancato was widely considered to be “the next De Niro” and went onto star in Renaissance Man, Crimson Tide and landmark series “The Sopranos.” But like many child stars before him, Brancato got caught up in the underworld of Hollywood, becoming addicted to drugs and getting arrested for the murder of an NYPD officer during a drug excursion gone horribly wrong. Despite being cleared of the murder charge, Brancato still spent more than eight years in prison on an attempted burglary conviction. During his time in prison the actor was finally able to get clean and sober so that now, out from behind bars, he can hopefully pick up where is acting career left off.
