SEEN AND HEARD
Comic at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City performing two shows benefitting CASA of Atlantic and Cape May Counties . . . Philanthropist and actress taking home prizes at the New York City International Film Festival . . . Newly acquired San Francisco 49ers safety
at Clique Bar & Lounge in Las Vegas . . .
Cnever thought he’d star in a movie like “Wasted Talent,” which won best documentary at last weekend’s New York City International Film Festival. The flick follows the 41-yearold’s (photo) rise from obscurity to movie star in 1993 directorial debut “A Bronx Tale” — and his fall from grace after being involved in a crime that left NYPD Officer Daniel Enchautegui murdered. “I wouldn’t have believed it,” Brancato told us from his home in Yonkers. “‘A Bronx Tale’ was 1993 — it’s going to be our 25-year anniversary.” It’s unlikely Brancato would be part of “A Bronx Tale” anniversary celebrations. Shortly after he was released from prison in January 2015, the film’s creator, called the Daily News to say, “I don’t want it in any way understood that I’m working with him or in contact with him . . . I really have nothing to say (to him).” Brancato doesn’t expect “Wasted Talent,” which was directed by former NYPD Officer to change people’s minds about the break-in that landed him in prison for nine years. “In time, things have quieted down a bit, (but) on the whole, no, I don’t think it’ll ever quiet down,” he confessed. “Another human being, a heroic police officer, lost his life behind my addiction.”
“Wasted Talent” recounts the night of Dec. 10, 2005, when Brancato and his accomplice, were interrupted while trying to enter a Bronx home where they thought they’d find painkillers to feed their drug addiction. When the off-duty Enchautegui, a neighbor, intervened, a gunfight between him and Armento ensued. Brancato was seriously injured and Enchautegui was killed.
Brancato swears he’s had no contact with Armento since his incarceration, nor does he want to talk about him.
“Absolutely, he did something stupid,” Brancato says of his accomplice. “I’m not going to get into all of that — he’s away forever.” Brancato has, however, tried to learn more about Enchautegui.
“From what I read, he was a 28-yearold kid who used to take his parents to doctors’ appointments and he was a really good human being. I hate that he had to lose his life.”
Brancato isn’t counting on “Wasted Talent” to make him a Hollywood actor again.
“If it happens, it happens,” he said. “If it doesn’t, I’m OK with that also.”