Meet The 9-Year-Old Boy Who Stars As Young Bruce Springsteen In New Film

NEW JERSEY — Breanne Pellicano of Fair Lawn never realized that her son Matthew looked like a young Bruce Springsteen. But ever since he won the role of a young Bruce in the new film "Deliver Me From Nowhere," even the rocker himself has been gushing about the resemblance.

"When he saw Bruce on the set, [Springsteen] kept pulling out photos of himself as a child," said Breanne in an interview Wednesday. "Even his wife Patti [Scialfa], the other day, I showed her a split screen of Matthew as a child and Bruce as a child. She said, 'This is absolutely incredible.' "

The film, starring Jeremy Allen White (above right) as the singer from Freehold, opened in theaters in late October.

Since the opening, Pellicano's elementary school in Fair Lawn has been celebrating their fourth grade classmate's newfound stardom. The 9-year-old actor is trying to keep up his studies while hoping for more roles.

"The kids have been so wonderful to him," Breanne said. "One of them asked him for his autograph. With the school we're in, we are blessed. His teachers and his principal are incredible."

How He Became Bruce

Breanne said that she herself had appeared in commercials while growing up in Rochelle Park, so at one point, she asked her three boys if they wanted to try acting.

Matthew and one of his brothers landed small roles. Then the boys' manager told them about the Springsteen film.

Matthew tried out by reading lines from the script. At callbacks, he was asked to try more emotional scenes. Then he had a Zoom interview with director Scott Cooper.

Matthew took time off from school in October and November of last year to be on the set, shooting in Jersey City, Freehold, Asbury Park, Rahway, Rockaway, and Orange, his mom said. He had a tutor while he missed school.

Now he's back in class and hoping for more gigs.

"He wants to continue acting," said Breanne. "He keep telling anyone he meets on the red carpet and everyone else, 'I'm going to keep dreaming big and hoping for more movies.' "

Meeting Bruce

Breanne said the family knew of Springsteen's biggest hits — Matthew's favorite is the anthem "Born To Run" — but now that they've been exposed to more of his discography, they've been listening to "Nebraska" and other albums.

Of Springsteen, Breanne said, "He's so kind and so humble and generous. I couldn't say enough nice things about him."

Now that Matthew's life is returning to normal, his mom says the experience has been surreal.

"Matthew is a very old soul," she said. "He's like an old man. People notice that he can have a conversation with adults very easily. So I always knew he had an old soul, but I never knew it was the soul of Bruce Springsteen as a child."

Read more about the filming here.