Additional Coverage:
- Coroner investigating death of Spencer Lofranco, ‘Unbroken’ and ‘Gotti’ actor who died at 33 (latimes.com)
Canadian Authorities Investigate Death of “Gotti” Actor Spencer Lofranco
Canadian officials have launched an investigation into the death of actor Spencer Lofranco, who passed away on Monday at the age of 33. The British Columbia Coroners Service confirmed its inquiry on Friday, following an announcement of Lofranco’s death by his brother on social media.
Santino Lofranco shared the somber news on Facebook Thursday morning, writing, “My brother. You lived a life only some could dream of.
You changed people[‘s] lives, and now you are with God. I will always love you and miss you BEAR.
RIP.” The statement did not specify a cause of death, and a spokesperson for the British Columbia Coroners Service declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.
Spencer Lofranco gained recognition for his roles in several films, most notably appearing alongside John Travolta in the John Gotti biopic “Gotti” and in Angelina Jolie’s Oscar-nominated World War II drama “Unbroken.” His filmography also includes “At Middleton,” “Jamesy Boy,” “Dixieland,” and “King Cobra,” as well as the 2015 short film “Home.”
Critics often praised Lofranco’s performances, with Martin Tsai of The Times noting in his “Jamesy Boy” review that the “newcomer Lofranco deserves credit for carrying the film,” holding his own against veteran actors like Ving Rhames, Mary-Louise Parker, and James Woods.
Born on October 18, 1992, Lofranco revealed in a 2014 interview with Interview magazine that he developed an interest in acting at 17, despite his father’s aspirations for him to pursue a career in hockey or law. His mother, a dancer, musician, and actor, often brought him to auditions.
Lofranco’s brief acting career was not without its challenges. In 2013, he faced legal trouble after hitting a cyclist with his SUV in Hollywood.
The cyclist sustained severe injuries, including a broken hip and multiple fractures. Lofranco reportedly apologized to the victim at the scene before leaving.
In 2015, a judge sentenced him to 50 days of community service, two years of probation, and $161,000 in restitution, a decision made after the victim advocated for a harsher sentence.
In the past year, Lofranco frequently updated his Instagram with photos showcasing his outfits, tattoos, and graffiti art. His final Instagram post, a black-and-white selfie, seemed to hint at a new chapter in his life.
“Period the best is yet to come,” he wrote, also encouraging followers to check out his OnlyFans account. “The hair is on it way it’s got held up customs.
Crazy.”
A decade ago, Lofranco shared his vision for his future acting career with Interview, expressing a desire to work on “real-life, candid films” and to be “wise about what I choose,” citing actors like Sean Penn, Leonardo DiCaprio, and River Phoenix as inspirations.