Canadian actor Spencer Lofranco, whose breakout performances in Jamesy Boy and the 2018 crime biopic Gotti brought him early acclaim, has died at the age of 33. His brother, Santino Lofranco, announced the news on Instagram, sharing family photos and describing the young actor as someone who “lived a life only some could dream of.” Officials in British Columbia, where the actor died, confirmed that his death remains under investigation and that the cause has not yet been determined, according to reporting from TMZ and the Toronto Star.
Lofranco’s brother wrote emotionally in Thursday’s post, calling Spencer “my brother” and “a legend,” adding that he “changed people’s lives” through his spirit and creativity. Santino also included a childhood photo and an image of the actor posing alongside his dog. No further details about Spencer’s final days were released by the family.
Born in Canada in 1991, Lofranco developed an interest in performance during his teenage years. He trained at the New York Film Academy, where he studied acting intensively for a year before beginning to audition for film roles. His first major on-screen appearance came in 2013 with At Middleton, a romantic comedy starring Andy García and Vera Farmiga. Lofranco played Conrad Hartman, a high school student exploring a college campus, a performance that helped introduce him to casting directors and critics. The film earned attention on the festival circuit after premiering at the Seattle International Film Festival.
His biggest breakthrough arrived the following year with Jamesy Boy, a biographical drama based on the life of reformed gang member James Burns. Lofranco portrayed the troubled teen at the center of the story, a role he once said challenged him to “dig deeper emotionally than anything I’d ever tried before” during promotional interviews. The film featured performances from Mary-Louise Parker, Ving Rhames, and Taissa Farmiga, further elevating the actors’ profiles.
In 2014, Lofranco joined the ensemble cast of Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken, portraying Harry Brooks in the World War II epic. The film was a commercial success and introduced him to a wider international audience. He continued to work steadily in independent cinema and appeared in Dixieland, which premiered at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival, as well as Home and the 2016 biographical film King Cobra. His roles often centered on vulnerable, intense young men navigating hardship—characters critics noted he played with “raw, youthful energy,” according to Variety.
By 2018, Lofranco secured his final film role as John Gotti Jr. in the biographical crime drama Gotti. Starring alongside John Travolta, he portrayed the son of the infamous mob boss during the height of the Gambino crime family’s legal turmoil. Though the film received mixed reviews, Lofranco’s performance was noted for its grit, with one reviewer writing that he brought “a sharp, grounded presence” to the role during a period when his career appeared poised for expansion.
Colleagues and fans reacted with shock Thursday as news of Lofranco’s death circulated online. While no formal statements have been released by past collaborators, social media posts expressed admiration for his early film work and sadness over his passing at such a young age.
Authorities in British Columbia are expected to release additional details once the investigation into his death progresses. As of Friday, the family had not announced any funeral arrangements or memorial plans.
Lofranco leaves behind a small but memorable film legacy marked by intense performances, early promise, and a talent that resonated deeply with those who followed his career. As his brother wrote in his farewell message, “I will always love you and miss you, Bear.”
