Lillo Brancato Jr. has also appeared in US TV series NYPD Blue.
Sopranos actor Lillo Bracanto Jr. has asked to be tried for murder separately from co-defendant Steven Armento. Mr. Bracanto, who played Matt Bevilacqua in the second series of the drama, wants Mr. Armento to give evidence as a witness in his defense. The actor claims he did not know that Mr. Armento had a gun when an off-duty police officer was shot dead in New York on 10 December. The two men were allegedly carrying out a burglary at the time of the killing. At a court hearing in New York, Mr. Armento shook his head when the actor's lawyer, Mel Sachs, requested a separate trial. The judge did not immediately rule out the request. Mr. Sachs said Mr. Bracanto possesses as "an absolute defense as a matter of law to the murder charge". He also asked for police statements made immediately after the shooting to be ruled out. Mr. Brancanto was wounded twice by off-duty policeman Daniel Enchautegui before he died, and was not fit enough to speak to police officers from his hospital bed, said Mr. Sachs. Prosecutors have told the court that the two defendants broke into an apartment in search of prescription drugs after visiting a strip club together. They were confronted by Mr. Enchautegui in an alley, and he was killed after a shoot-out, they said. Mr. Brancanto made his screen debut opposite Robert De Niro in 1993's A Bronx Tale and appeared in 12 further films before regularly appearing in The Sopranos. He was arrested on drug-related matters and an incident of disorderly conduct two days before the shooting took place. The case has been adjourned until 11 July.
The Rolling Stones are currently in the middle of their world tour.
Sir Mick Jagger is to appear in the pilot episode of a new US TV sitcom. The Rolling Stones star is filming a cameo role in New Zealand during a break in the band's world tour. The comedy revolves around a gang of men who plot to rob the rock star, with Sir Mick featuring in various scenes, the Hollywood Reporter said. The singer has made sporadic forays into film acting in the past 30 years, including lead roles in Performance and Ned Kelly in 1970 and 1992's Freejack. The Rolling Stones are currently in the middle of their world tour, preparing to start the European leg in Barcelona on 27 May. The pilot episode will determine whether TV network ABC will commission a whole series of the sitcom and whether Sir Mick will remain part of the cast. ABC is already working on another new sitcom with another British rock legend. Sir Elton John is executive producer of Him and Us, about an ageing rock icon and his entourage.
Tom Cruise tried to keep his itinerary secret.
Tom Cruise has traversed New York on a helicopter, fire truck, motorcycle and speedboat to promote his new movie, Mission: Impossible III. The star attempted to build up buzz for his latest film by taking the unusual modes of transport to the city's premiere and two other screenings. Followed by fans, photographers and camera crews, he also caught rides in a sports car and a subway train. The latest adventure in his film series is released around the world this month. In Manhattan, a fire truck gave the star a lift through Times Square to a local heliport, where a helicopter whisked him to a premiere.
Cruise took a New York fire truck through Times Square.
Less than an hour later, he pulled up on a motorcycle to the first opening of the movie at the Tribeca Performing Arts Centre. The film's publicists tried to keep his route secret to generate excitement among fans and paparazzi who hoped to catch a glimpse of him around the city. Photographer Charles Sykes said: "It's been my own mission impossible trying to chase him down. "I didn't get any information from the publicist or movie people. I had to get word of mouth." One fan who did see him, 18-year-old Eleonora Bershadskaya, said: "I don't think anything is too much for him, but I might be really shallow. I love Tom Cruise." Cruise has embarked on a global promotional tour for the blockbuster film - directed by Lost creator JJ Abrams - despite the birth of his baby daughter on 18 April. The actor has visited Rome, Paris and London and is returning to Los Angeles on Thursday for the Hollywood premiere. Mission: Impossible III also stars Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames and Billy Crudup.
Bono is at the forefront of a push to eradicate world poverty.
U2 frontman Bono is to edit The Independent newspaper for a day to highlight the issue of Aids in Africa. The singer is already offering ideas and commissioning articles for many sections of his edition of the daily UK paper, to be published on 16 May. The Independent editor in chief Simon Kelner said the paper would be "challenging and innovative". Half of its revenues for that day will be donated to Product Red, Bono's initiative to improve healthcare. A spokesperson for Bono told the paper: "He is tickled to be let loose on such a great paper. He's enjoying using the talents of its journalists to explore issues that are vital to him." The Independent has become a partner in the singer's scheme, which is aimed at persuading big business to use its financial muscle to tackle the disease. Product Red has created a range of products including footwear, sunglasses and a credit card to generate funds. When the organization was launched earlier this year, Bono said: "I feel a bit of a fraud, a bit of a loser because we are not winning the war against Aids." He admitted that he had turned to big business in an effort to boost the Global Fund, charged with alleviating the impact of Aids, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa. In December 2004, Bono was guest editor of BBC Radio 4's Today program for a day, in which he highlighted the ongoing problem of world poverty. Continues next
