Canadian actor Spencer Lofranco, best known for playing John Gotti Jr. opposite John Travolta in the 2018 mobster biopic Gotti, has died at the age of 33. His older brother, Santino, announced the news via Instagram on Thursday, writing, 'To the legend @roccowinning. My brother. You lived a life only some could dream of. You changed people lives, and now you are with God. I will always love you and miss you Bear.'
The cause of death has not been disclosed, but TMZ reports that an investigation is ongoing in British Columbia, Canada. The Independent has contacted Lofranco’s representative for further comment.
Born in 1992 in Toronto to a lawyer father and an opera singer mother, Lofranco attended Robert Land Academy military school. He made his film debut in the 2014 indie romcom At Middleton, and that same year starred in the crime drama Jamesy Boy and appeared in Angelina Jolie’s war film Unbroken.
In a 2014 interview with Interview magazine, Lofranco said his acting ambitions began at age 17, noting he was always 'the center of attention.' He studied at the New York Film Academy and landed his first major role in Jamesy Boy.
In 2013, Lofranco was involved in a hit-and-run incident in which he struck a cyclist, causing severe injuries. He was convicted of a misdemeanour and sentenced to community service, probation, and $161,000 in restitution.
His final screen credit was Gotti, after which he appeared to step away from acting. His last Instagram post, on 11 November, showed a shirtless selfie with the caption about getting a face tattoo removed.
