Carlo Bellario and Joan Rivers.jpg

Actor and comedian Carlo Bellario, 48, of Toms River, standing with the late comedian Joan Rivers.

(Submitted Photo)

NEW BRUNSWICK -- A court date has been set for Carlo Bellario, the actor and comedian facing up to five years in jail for having a fake gun while filming a movie in Woodbridge last year.

The court date has been scheduled for March 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Middlesex County Courthouse in New Brunswick, according to Bellario, who said he recently received a notice in the mail.

Bellario, 48, of Toms River, said for months he had been anxiously waiting for the case to move forward. He remains nervous about the potential outcome and said he's developed medical issues from all the stress.

"I am happy that the court date is coming up, but who knows what they are thinking," he said. "I just want to get my day in court, and I want to be able to put this in my rearview mirror."

Bellario was filming a small, independent film in November called Vendetta Games in a residential neighborhood in Woodbridge.

The production company had not acquired a permit, and when officers arrived, Bellario was the one holding the prop gun, having just finished filming a scene.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Union) recently spoke out in support of Bellario, saying that "Common sense dictates that this guy should not be facing (jail)."

He is even pushing legislation to give prosecutors more discretion with gun charges that showed no criminal intent.

Bellario has also received support from gun rights group, the New Jersey Second Amendment Society.

Bellario, who said the case has caused financial strains, created a GoFundMe page to raise money for legal expenses and other costs related to his case.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.