Scamarcio grew up in the coastal town of Trani, but moved to Rome when he was 16 to study experimental theater at Scuola Nazionale di Cinema. In 2001, Scamarcio started landing work, such as playing Michele Reale on the TV show "Compagni di scuola," appearing in a small part in the critically acclaimed drama "The Best of Youth," and playing a goon in the crime drama "Romanzo Criminale." However, it was playing a working class '60s revolutionary in "My Brother is an Only Child" that showed he could handle meatier roles. He also appeared in Woody Allen's "To Rome with Love."