Lillo Brancato's Descent: From Hollywood High to Rock Bottom | Real Ones

Lillo Brancato, known for his role in 'A Bronx Tale,' discusses his fall from Hollywood success with Jon Bernthal. Brancato details his progression from cocaine to heroin addiction and the night that led to his arrest. He describes the physical toll of drug use, his deteriorating career, and the desperate decisions that followed. Brancato recounts specific incidents, including a paranoia-induced injury that introduced him to opiates. He provides a moment-by-moment account of the night that ended in tragedy, offering insight into the mindset of severe addiction.
This conversation goes beyond headlines, exploring the realities of substance abuse in the entertainment industry and the consequences that followed. #lillobrancato #realonespodcast #jonbernthal #real
Full episode: [ • Lillo Brancato: Fame, ... ]
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[@Boblawlaw26]

I like how Bernthal actually listens and let's the guest talk.

[@trevorgomes6632]

Bernthal is a massive knob gobbler

[@draconianoz6602]

I swear it’s hard to come by podcasters that just let people properly tell their stories.

[@DerekSeguin]

That’s what makes him a great actor too, acting is listening

[@williamshea4425]

He had no choice.

[@texastoast5202]

1,000% AGREE!!!!!!!

[@texan_2ocho965]

“Saddest thing in life is wasted talent”

[@Itsyaboy88]

Thanks pops

[@KB-wy2cm]

I feel like this applies to people who never took risk or attempted to utilize their talent. This guy was being proactive with his talent by starring huge movies. Him getting caught up in the drug scene is part of being human and then overcoming that.

[@elgato4619]

"That's something my father would always talk about"

[@dukeduke2790]

it’s also sad to see judgmental comments under youtube videos

[@elgato4619]

@@dukeduke2790 wtf 😂🤣

[@boostbeast8731]

This dude scammed me into buying 1000 shares of wabistics.

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

Classic pump and dump

[@zefferss]

He had to give Furio one thousand more, up in da club!

[@ineedsaltplease620]

It was Sean, all the way

[@Gaming4lyfe12]

Lmfao 😂

[@NicolaParise-yp7pi]

You're supposed to push wabistics!!!

[@300iqwizard5]

"anybody else got a problem with Webistics?"

[@philipwarner892]

..and more coffee?😂

[@_JM-]

it’s FUCKIN good to meet chu richie

[@aunch3]

Up in da Club!

[@TAC618]

Get back in your fuckin office

[@vensonj]

“I love cheese at my feet….I put mfn provolone in socks so it smells like your sisters crotch in the morning “

[@skinmanikin]

He does not need to be cast in movies. He can write an even better movie about his life and these lessons he learned.

[@CannabaeCG]

100-fucking-percent!

[@TheJasonWrightShow]

“A Bronx Tale” is a masterpiece

[@historyiwitness5915]

Not because of this schlub's acting, it isn't.

[@LandSharkEatsU]

"Now yuns can't leave..."

[@chrisbuck96]

Dude i swear it’s like he’s telling my story how the addiction evolves man and it’s a scary fucking thing I’ve been clean from heroin since 2015. Congrats and all of your success brother

[@Trav81888]

God bless. Keep up the good work!

[@aliwooz913]

Thats awesome bro. Keep up the work. I'm on MMT trying to kick this fentanyl habit. It's made my life into a living hell...

[@renesaenz5463]

same here

[@erikhall5154]

I feel u on that

[@chim55]

Keep going guys. Recovery is possible. We do recover

[@dohnperteet193]

I saw this video just in time. Lillo just kept me from making a huge mistake today. More struggling addicts need to see this.

[@annaelisavettavonnedozza9607]

Kiss your freedom goodbye if you do it. Life is better sober I promise ❤

[@akbarshabazz-jenkins7847]

Sure, and kudos to you, but the reality is that there's still tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, so on and so forth. Nobody on KZbin or any other platform can convince you to change for the rest of your life. Not even God himself can. Only you can do it.

[@Gypsyalchemy333]

Man, he's turned into Matt Sera's twin brother.

[@marioargiropoulos7555]

Holy shit even the voice is similar 😆

[@sitindogmas]

I think he looks like Alexander Volkinovski

[@chuckb8877]

Lol my peeps right here

[@davidginchereau]

Lol looks just like him.watch st pierre llia coming for you

[@HK_Musician]

Matt's skinnier younger brother

[@callmesteve4736]

As an addict myself and 9 months into recovery I knew about this man’s story (only a little bit) but for some reason all these years I thought he passed away but I’m very happy to see that he’s still here, clean and sober and sharing his story

[@mumbles215]

Good job stevie! Keep it up. We need you clean and clear minded brother.

[@callmesteve4736]

@@mumbles215 Thank you sir🙏🏼

[@jimhenry3383]

May God bless you and your family my brother 🙏 ❤️ Blessings on the sobriety I'm sober from the blow and alcohol for 9 months myself 👏 👏 👏 LETS GO

[@callmesteve4736]

@@jimhenry3383 Hell yeah brother!!

[@historyiwitness5915]

No it was the cop he killed who passed away.

[@Peekay9]

I grew up in Northeastern NJ. Was heading down a dark path. Decided to leave everything behind and start fresh elsewhere. Everything came together after that. Best of luck to everyone needing a change.

[@Venmaylove]

Is NJ as fluffy as you'd expect or is it rather dull?

[@Peekay9]

@@Venmaylove - I didn’t care for it at all. Not my style. I like wide open spaces and Southern women that call you darlin.

[@Venmaylove]

@@Peekay9 I like Scandinavian forests where I have cover to pounce on my prey.

[@Peekay9]

@@Venmaylove - Pouncing is underrated.

[@dukeduke2790]

i thought most of the south was six lanes n traffic now🥵

[@joeschejbal2646]

Bronx Tale is a beautifully written shot and acted film and his death scene in the Sopranos is one of the best murder scenes in all of cinematic history..."you sure you dont want something with some sugar in it?" ..still get chills...Lilo is the man good luck bro

[@Venmaylove]

I don't like it because the boy in it is too whiny like

[@NeilSwann]

I loved how he pissed himself 😂

[@historyiwitness5915]

You say that as if this dummy's poor acting had anything to do with the success of those productions.

[@ClintonT.Biddle]

I’m very lucky also, did alcohol and cocaine secretly for 15yrs and then the pills and opiates crept in. Before losing it all I decided to reach out and get help, 1st harm reduction and then into a program for sobriety and have managed to maintain since 2016. I turn 50 this year and feel that I’m well on my way to being better than I ever have been. Thank God, Thank Family and Thank ME for loving and appreciating all of the above.

[@sadhu7191]

Iam a cannabis and krstom addict and I tell everyone who will listen lol my body is doing great

[@osamashatat]

Jon, this interview is well done. You comment a little, you listen and you allow the person to speak while actively listening. You seem genuinely engaged.

[@MisterFugginRomero]

Hence, the name...

[@alessandrajackson3768]

I love how raw and real this podcast is

[@damienholland9244]

I am also raw and real so that means you love me too then.

[@alessandrajackson3768]

@@damienholland9244 bro go be down bad somewhere else

[@Venmaylove]

I love fluffy cats. Look how fluffy I am. You both are not even capable of grasping the fluffiness of a fluffy catto

[@damienholland9244]

@@Venmaylove cute. almost as cute as alessandra.

[@tonylovesducks2501]

@@alessandrajackson3768man those creeps are going crazy 💀💀

[@samuelallen8945]

will never forget his acting in A Bronx Tale - he did a really great job. Glad he's turned things around

[@seabrook1976]

Just mad respect for this guy for cleaning it up and helping others. Wish this cat the best and hope to see him in films down the line.

[@historyiwitness5915]

You won't. His acting sucks. He's also a cop killer. They don't tend to get cast in major productions.

[@CannabaeCG]

The entire time Bernthal is studying movements, cadence, and body language. That's why he's such a great actor.

[@Rynik05]

So crazy cause I went down that same road so just hearing his story I feel that down to my soul cause I was there! Glad he’s doing well now!

[@SolidMikeP]

It hurts, it’s hard to listen to

[@Steven-rp8zo]

I was an addict and I could not quit on my own. Only God could take it from me and I've been sober for a decade since. Now I'm Catholic and go to mass every Sunday and confession every month or more when necessary. Life is great! Peace, Viva Cristo Rey!

[@Em-pv5ey]

A Bronx Tale is one of my favourite movies of all time. When I heard about Lilos story years later and how he overcame his addiction, I loved him that much more. I use to message him on IG and he would message back with nothing but positive things to say. I really hope he can get his acting career back!!!

[@pappyschmears]

Its just so heart warming to see 2 junkies talk. And then sell shirts.

[@Fusion991]

😂

[@rydah1240]

Matt Sera has had one hell of a career. First he was a UFC champ, then became an actor and now drugs? He loves the fast life.

[@bossbear7187]

lmao....their like twins

[@sadhu7191]

Iam into cannabis, kratom daily and I like slow life. No car to drive

[@Funrunner008]

Witty

[@BeauxBoutIt]

Just stumbled upon this-Thx to Jon for putting this on and both of you for sharing!!!👏

[@JerseyJersey100]

Massive respect to him for his candidness. Like everyone else I went through same downward spiral and learned from prison and now I’m killin it

[@BaDAiR647]

Lillos great. Alot of charisma and character. I first saw him in a Bronx Tale. Criminally underrated film. Good to see him in one piece. Stay strong brother. We all fall down. Sharing the story is what matters.

[@armandotorres504]

I pray he never goes back down that path 🙏🏽 thanks for sharing your story brother

[@sjs1555]

Pray? Lol Prayer does nothing.

[@kickinwings420]

its really cool of Matt Serra to be open about his addiction

[@leocolon0331able]

I used to hate this man for killing another man just to support his vice. But I’m glad I stumbled on this interview. I have a new fond respect for lillo. Who am I to judge this man knowing he has to live with the demons and the life he took. I can tell he is sincere and humbled that taking that cops life is a heavy cross he has to carry for the rest of his life. I wish him a good life and may he find peace and happiness as long as he walks this earth.

[@SongJLikes]

Man, hearing stories like these makes me VERY thankful I don’t have The Personality vulnerable to severe addiction…. I’ve dabbled in drugs throughout my life, but they were absolutely phases… even alcohol was easy to walk away from after I’d had my fill… and I can still have a drink or two on special occasions, and not feel limited in any way experience-wise… I’m even greatful for the memories associated with the various substances, good and bad. The idea of someone not having control of such serious elements of their life is beyond scary. I feel bad for them.

[@Nick-de8bx]

These interviews that Jon does are fantastic. He let's the people speak and asks great secondary and third layered questions. Active listening at it's finest. Bravo. Keep up these great videos

[@DedicatedSpirit8]

Bless this man. Looks SOOOOOO much better than these nightmares he's talking about... Very inspiring... Life has its pain, and this man let go of his... He knows that pain comes, but he also knows it goes .. Much respect Wow

[@christopher7824]

There is no legitimate upside to substance use. The best outcome is escaping without catastrophic harm to yourself or others.

[@billj4525]

People consider the upside feeling good, and some like it so much they give up whatever else they're doing to just get high all the time, but there's hardly ever any benefit at all to accomplishing anything. It generally ruins your life, and even takes your life in many cases. Addiction usually leads to catastrophic circumstances and death in many cases these days. It's crazy to see how many guys are dying from fentanyl.

[@hazor777]

He definitely has a presence about him , which is probably why he was able to get into acting to begin with. But when you consider he got a lot of attention and recognition early on , being young when he started, you combine that with just being a guy - wanting to party , get out , have fun etc… all those things you do when you’re young- combine that with having money , meeting new people, flashy nightlife, recognition etc… - total recipe for disaster if you’re not cognizant of where your life is going. It’s easy , very easy , to fall into it all and keep going at it and having a hell of a time trying to stop. Glad to see he’s survived it and - IMO - probably is yet to experience his biggest successes. The hard times solidify you , make you go inwardly, reevaluate, etc. you gain a certain wisdom from mistakes , if you survive them. I wish him the best, and look forward to seeing him in more and more features and movies

[@sponish0]

yes the best thing for guys like this if if they get into a committed relationship with a sensible stable woman who can keep them grounded.

[@hazor777]

@@sponish0 Hmmmm ….. I’m not too sure bout that - I think you do better having had to spend hard time alone , first . Going from down n out and getting female “help” can reverse on you quick. It definitely all depends on the woman and her personality etc.. usually those are the exceptions bc most leave or lose respect when you’re at your most down trodden chapters.

[@gilnelson3217]

True story. Lee used to do a great deniro impression. We were at the beach and deniro was there. He went over and did his impression and that was all it took to get his foot in the door.

[@AlteredBeast92]

Bronx Tale was a great movie. Brancato was a great actor, sad story

[@patrickoriley6791]

Matthew Bevilaqua never had the makings of a varsity hitman.

[@mikerotonda6264]

Lol!!

[@Groovey-kj6eu]

A real story

[@beefsbuds7205]

Bronx tale is such a classic man

[@johnpoe8576]

I can really relate to this guy, everyone should listen to this

[@Trav81888]

This was an intense snippet.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

that Bevilacqua kid who shot Chrissy Moltisanti?

[@coolinism]

Yes

[@zomeoni3532]

His boy did but he waw driving. And tried to shoot it out til he ran away scared.

[@1978JK]

It was Sean all the way

[@CBonesey]

Whatever that was about

[@Artsyca]

My man keeping it real. Props.

[@DUDE72341]

Imagine this guy high..on meth, and heroin after 4 days..he already at 9.5 sober....ouch

[@d3ro876]

Kinda makes u wonder eh

[@MrAitraining]

He could be on something here. Who knows

[@repetemyname842]

Jon, love your work brother, glad this came across my feed. All hail Algorithm!

[@quincee3376]

I'm glad he got clean but RIP to that police officer. Nice interview.

[@Mr.Wonderful888]

Thank you for showcasing his story. And infinite love to all the subs!! Big up yourself!! ❤️🔥⭐️

[@sitindogmas]

been all over there. "the fire is burning and its outta control, it's not a problem you can stop let's rock and roll " A. R.

[@andrewbobro6094]

Wow. Great interview. Good listener.

[@chrislapointe256]

Wow so glad this popped up amazing podcast

[@sakran2975]

As soon as he describes taking the hit and getting that bell ringer, it brought up anxiety instantly.

[@mobisnest3205]

“Sure you don’t want something with sugar in it.” - Tony Soprano

[@keenanketsdever590]

up in da club !

[@hoodiestimbs2783]

Thank you, Mr Sinatra..jr…sir

[@Mr.White10-65]

@@hoodiestimbs2783 Give me 1 thousand dollars.

[@Irishslag]

how he described that first hit is spot on for the rock. Glad I never got sucked into that too deep

[@Tarpull]

“It was Sean! It was Sean!”

[@michaelbinstock4569]

All the way!!!

[@tonylovesducks2501]

I remember when I was like 18 and on oxys, watching Bronx tale. That was the time when I thought I can control it too and for the first 6 months I had it. But now I’m 25 and I’ve been clean from H and all other drugs. You can’t control it for ever. One day it’s gonna get you and get you hard !

[@itstrbo]

Love how you can see Bernthal go from soaking it up during the drug stories to completely relating when he tells the headshot story lol....seems like a good dude

[@tonymcclure5119]

"Sadest thing in world is wasted talent" -sonny

[@TheeVincentValencia]

*Lorenzo

[@carculturesweden2668]

What a guy, he really deserves to be clean and doing what i loves in life! Jon nice to have Lillo on :)

[@vernefits1953]

Bernthal is a great interviewer

[@Josh_you_uh]

This was dope, def checking out the channel now. Good stuff

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

I like how he said he loved doing drugs. He didn't blame anything else.

[@stevestarscream5182]

He went from very somber talking about these things to very excited to talk about them which makes me worry for him… if he feels that the police officer was an angel, he should keep that to himself

[@shanemb3]

I've seen drugs ruin so many lives it's become one of the scariest, biggest wastes of time, money, potential, life, healthcare, hope, love, you name it. Russian roullette for real.

[@JodaliLama]

How do you continue a conversation after hearing a story like that?

[@WillAnderson3rd]

The most Italian looking dude I ever seen, and he's actually Colombian 😂

[@josephsharp5678]

Yeah that's true. He was raised by Italian Americans since he was a small child but some people don't know that he is originally from Colombia.

[@Mr.White10-65]

Italy is the original "Latino country" and where Latin originated. Colombians and Italians are not that far off from each other.

[@prescottlange]

@@Mr.White10-65 Colombia is a (post-colonial) nationality, not a race. Before it became "Colombia", it was populated with indigenous types. Lilo, therefore, is most likely mestizo. I mean, he certainly looks it. Meanwhile, the commonality you speak of, is the Latin roots shared by Italians and Spaniards, and some other European nations.

[@ddavidone6538]

Crazy how similar heroin addiction stories are. Rich and famous to broke and homeless they all have the same story

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

Jeff Bridges Funny how falling feels like flying For a little while

[@HK_Musician]

Yeah all the heroin addicts on the streets in Manchester and London were all once famous movie stars

[@lukekaps]

Does no one else think he’s high or is that just the battle scars because he keeps telling stories but not really finishing them idk god bless

[@raveporn]

That's what an addictive personality looks like. People like that can become sex addicts, fat, bodybuilders, what they get addicted to is irrelevant. If he had gotten into working out at the gum instead of drugs, he'd be shooting Steroids and looking like a small Hulk; it's his personality.

[@TheChicagoJunkie]

Nah he was the same way on other interviews Ive seen. I fully believe he's clean as a recovering addict myself, I guess you never know but a lot of us seem a lot, "emptier," upstairs 😂

[@marshmellow3110]

He never had the makings of a varsity athlete.

[@VS-de7xk]

🎶 up in da club 🎶 up in da club 🎶

[@godsavemefromgenZ]

😂😂😂 stretched hummers homie

[@robertbarnhill488]

So many people in recovery out there,lots of people in my life I didn't even know were going through the same shit I was.

[@jodythomas4324]

Bernthal is so fuckin real, good lord.

[@201jaecee]

Facts 💯

[@roboct6]

What a great story teller.

[@josepherikson2034]

It’s like he actually was the character in sapranos .

[@setburhed4987]

Hey your clean now bro, you got this

[@Johnenoch226]

Awesome job Jon! Doing Gods work.

[@plowtinplowtin86]

Wow vivid story

[@philsoro491]

It was sean all the way. He wanted soft drinks of choice. But there was no sugar less 1s, so he started acting crazy

[@josephsharp5678]

Where not making a western here Phil.

[@RobPlayingVideoGames]

always like Bernthal in his acting roles, he just always seemed like a straight shooter good dude. Even when he was Shane, Shane was right 😂🤣😂

[@gregbradshaw7220]

Bernthal sounds like he isn’t even listening

[@christophejergales7852]

I haven't checked, but I think this guy was the only funny actor in Renaissance Man. Brb Yep, nailed it. Dude was so good in that movie.

[@vincentprospero2809]

That gas station is super expensive.

[@condor5150]

I think that his reckless past with drug abuse makes him a better actor. Now he is like a anxiety ridden bald Tony Danza.

[@johnbeargrease6784]

Hey angeler!

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

​@@johnbeargrease6784my thought exactly

[@JuanLagos]

Great channel, awesome content. Jon is fantastic. Also he looks like Shemp and that's a big plus.

[@jaysonb.6669]

Jon when are we getting a Sonny Franzese film. You look just like him lol. You can even include his son MIcheal's transformation through The Gospel in your plot.💯

[@sgg6927]

Id like to see a comeback

[@samlazar1053]

Addiction is not a power but a desease. Disfunction and damaged pain pleasure center in the brain is the primary reason for addiction, and this is why people cant quit. Banning all drugs is one of the most evil things as nation ever dkd.

[@mumbles215]

Its not a disease. You’re talking about damage done from drug use. Will power through the strength of Christ is the only way.

[@samlazar1053]

@@mumbles215 NO.THE DAMAGE EXISTS BEFORE THE DRUG USE EVEN STARTS. ALCOHOL IS THE MOST TOXIC OF ALL DRUGS. I HAVE MEET AND BEEN WHIT PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS AND THET ARE PVER 75 YEARS OLD.

[@SawbuckMike]

It's dangerous to tell people that your not going to wake up one day and be done. That's exactly how overcoming addiction starts. Very dangerous, just like the disease model.

[@brian_keith]

They should do back flash skits to Lilo's stories and have "Up in the Club" playing softly as back ground music, sort of like Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories from Chapelle's Show.

[@mikethemechanic7395]

I am his age. I was afraid of drugs as a teen. Saw lots of teens throw their lives away. I did not do drugs till I was 40. By then. I knew to do drugs only on a day off. 1-2 days a month. One or two pills at a time that’s it. I never had any problems with oxy. I have met a lot of older adults who just started drugs. They have no problems..

[@Brandonisblessed]

Dude is one hell of a storyteller

[@genaroloeragnopopoet8382]

God bless everyone 🙏

[@robertmaxwell2596]

"Richie you gotta hide us! We're with you now "

[@gargantuaism]

Good lord , watching this makes me want to jump in the air and click my heels because drugs mean nothing to me. I have zero interest in them and that is not because I used to be an addict, I just have never been interested. I can't imagine how awful life must be when you love drugs....

[@hangingon]

Thank God you have never been effected.

[@raveporn]

Well, unless you don't drink tea or coffee or smoke cigarettes, etc., than yes, but if you love your morning coffee, then... Illegal drugs are not much different and legal ones, except your life usually remains manageable taking legal drugs, like caffeine, but they both feel awesome in their own way.

[@gargantuaism]

@@hangingon Yes that is true and I certainly was around enough people that loved doing them but aside from an occasional joint I just never understood the fascination. Drugs scared me. I knew it was a terrible road to take and I saw how people ended up, I don't see why that alone isn't enough to make people not do them.

[@NoName-ql1wk]

It's expensive

[@gargantuaism]

@@NoName-ql1wk yeah you save so much money when you don't need to be stoned.

[@russellbell8973]

Why does bernthal carry himself like an italian mobster he is a J.

[@Unvaccinated69-m9o]

That's how the j people are

[@josephsharp5678]

He could easily play Sonny Franzese in a movie.

[@Raughwe]

I think he's like a transplanted New York guy. He was in D.C, and then as a young man went to New York. The Jewish kids and Italian kids can be very, very hard to distinguish. This is coming from a southerner, so bear with me. But there's a reason so many Jewish kids/men are prominent in the mob pictures. Your Meyer Lansky, your Hyman Roth. Hell, how many Jewish men were connected in the families? They were usually the business end of the families. The list is probably too long for me right now. Your Jewish kids could be a little more educated than the average street guys, but they grew up together. I read a few articles about Jewish mobsters, and the idea was that the lack of the ultra-prominent Jewish mob families was due to organization. They were way too independent, they thought for themselves, couldn't get along together and lacked coordination like the Sicilians. So they gravitated toward paisan. Many of them are definitely part of the culture/history. So Bernthal is not at all out of place. My opinion. God bless.

[@LoDDEMOCIDE]

Matthew Drinkwater is the one hit in the Sopranos that actually made me feel bad. lol

[@charlieparker553]

Hollywood high? dude was in one movie.

[@BkZ1AnD0nLy]

I cant believe he hasn't had a big part in a movie yet since being out.

[@BlakeMerriam]

Was so great in Sopranos.

[@Joee1257]

Matt drink-water discussing his Up In The Club days

[@CannabaeCG]

Why am I so exhausted after watching this? 🤣

[@JimRockfords-TransAm]

John Bernthal will pay to hear John Bernthal talk.

[@annaelisavettavonnedozza9607]

If he doesn’t write a movie & have A24 produce it, I’ll be extremely disappointed. That hit of crack he was describing made the memories come flooding back