Vincent Riotta
Encyclopedia
Vincent Riotta is an English
-born stage and film actor
of Italian
descent. He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
. He went on to perform in various stage plays, such as Shakespeare's
Romeo, which was held at the Young Vic, Tennessee Williams'
A Streetcar Named Desire, held at the Leicester Haymarket. Also, the twin roles of The Corsican Brothers at the Abbey in Dublin, and the lead role of Fridays at Seven at the Court Theatre in West Hollywood.
His more notable television appearances include UK soap Coronation Street
, JAG
for NBC
, Monk
for USA Network
, and Alias
for ABC
.
Riotta's film credits include the independent mafia
film Al Capone, for which he won the Best Actor award at the 1995 Barcelona Film Festival for his portrayal of the title character. In 2002, he played the lead role of Rico Morales in the drama Bella Bettien. He also holds many cameo appearances to his name in such high-profile films as Captain Corelli's Mandolin
, starring Nicolas Cage
and Penelope Cruz
. However, universally he is probably best recognized as one of the lead male roles in the 2003 romantic-comedy Under The Tuscan Sun
, starring Diane Lane
and fellow Italian
actor Raoul Bova
. In the film, he plays Frances Mayes' (Diane Lane) first love interest upon arriving in Italy
; a kind, well-reserved and married real estate agent in whom she receives emotional support throughout the film. To the contrary, on the commentary of Under the Tuscan Sun, director Audrey Wells
states that his character's persona was merely something he invented, as in reality he is boyishly energetic.
Because of his frequent roles of portraying Italian men, critics and viewers often mistake him for being from Italy, when in fact he was born and raised in England to Italian immigrants. He is fluent in Italian
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
-born stage and film actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
of Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
descent. He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art is a drama school located in London, United Kingdom. It is generally regarded as one of the most renowned drama schools in the world, and is one of the oldest drama schools in the United Kingdom, having been founded in 1904.RADA is an affiliate school of the...
. He went on to perform in various stage plays, such as Shakespeare's
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
Romeo, which was held at the Young Vic, Tennessee Williams'
Tennessee Williams
Thomas Lanier "Tennessee" Williams III was an American writer who worked principally as a playwright in the American theater. He also wrote short stories, novels, poetry, essays, screenplays and a volume of memoirs...
A Streetcar Named Desire, held at the Leicester Haymarket. Also, the twin roles of The Corsican Brothers at the Abbey in Dublin, and the lead role of Fridays at Seven at the Court Theatre in West Hollywood.
His more notable television appearances include UK soap Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
, JAG
JAG (TV series)
JAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions...
for NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, Monk
Monk (TV series)
Monk is an American comedy-drama detective mystery television series created by Andy Breckman and starring Tony Shalhoub as the titular character, Adrian Monk. It originally ran from 2002 to 2009 and is primarily a mystery series, although it has dark and comic touches.The series debuted on July...
for USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
, and Alias
Alias (TV series)
Alias is an American action television series created by J. J. Abrams which was broadcast on ABC for five seasons, from September 30, 2001 to May 22, 2006...
for ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
.
Riotta's film credits include the independent mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
film Al Capone, for which he won the Best Actor award at the 1995 Barcelona Film Festival for his portrayal of the title character. In 2002, he played the lead role of Rico Morales in the drama Bella Bettien. He also holds many cameo appearances to his name in such high-profile films as Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Captain Corelli's Mandolin (film)
Captain Corelli's Mandolin is a 2001 film directed by John Madden and based on the novel of the same name by Louis de Bernières. It stars Nicolas Cage and Penélope Cruz.-Plot:...
, starring Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage is an American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona , The Rock , Face/Off , Gone in 60 Seconds , Adaptation , National Treasure , Ghost Rider , Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans , and...
and Penelope Cruz
Penélope Cruz
Penélope Cruz Sánchez is a Spanish actress. Signed by an agent at age 15, she made her acting debut at 16 on television and her feature film debut the following year in Jamón, jamón , to critical acclaim...
. However, universally he is probably best recognized as one of the lead male roles in the 2003 romantic-comedy Under The Tuscan Sun
Under the Tuscan Sun
Under the Tuscan Sun is a 2003 film based on Frances Mayes' 1996 memoir of the same name. The film was directed by Audrey Wells and starred Diane Lane.-Plot:...
, starring Diane Lane
Diane Lane
Diane Lane is an American film actress.Born and raised in New York City, Lane made her screen debut at the age of 13 in George Roy Hill's 1979 film A Little Romance, starring opposite Sir Laurence Olivier. Soon after, she was featured on the cover of Time magazine...
and fellow Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
actor Raoul Bova
Raoul Bova
Raoul Bova is an Italian actor.Bova was born in Rome to Calabrian parents. At the age of 16 he became a local champion in the 100 meter backstroke. At the age of 21 he joined the Italian Army and performed his military duty in the Bersaglieri corps...
. In the film, he plays Frances Mayes' (Diane Lane) first love interest upon arriving in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
; a kind, well-reserved and married real estate agent in whom she receives emotional support throughout the film. To the contrary, on the commentary of Under the Tuscan Sun, director Audrey Wells
Audrey Wells
Audrey Wells is an American screenwriter, film director, and producer.Wells was born in San Francisco, California, and worked as a disc jockey at San Francisco jazz radio station KJAZ FM. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley and UCLA. She has written a number of successful screenplays and has directed...
states that his character's persona was merely something he invented, as in reality he is boyishly energetic.
Because of his frequent roles of portraying Italian men, critics and viewers often mistake him for being from Italy, when in fact he was born and raised in England to Italian immigrants. He is fluent in Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
.
Filmography
- Goltzius and the Pelican CompanyGoltzius and the Pelican CompanyGoltzius and the Pelican Company is an upcoming film about Hendrik Goltzius, a late 16th century Dutch printer and engraver of erotic prints. He seduces the Margrave of Alsace into paying for a printing press to make and publish illustrated books. Goltzius promises him an extraordinary book of...
(2011) Ricardo del Monte - Zen (2011) Giorgio de Angelis
- Hustle Series 7 (2011) Carle Bachini
- Squadra Antimafia - Palermo OggiSquadra antimafia - Palermo oggiSquadra antimafia - Palermo oggi is an Italian television series....
(2009) - Il Capo dei capiIl Capo dei CapiIl Capo dei Capi is a six part miniseries which debuted on the Canale 5 between October and November 2007, in Italy. It tells the story of Salvatore Riina, alias Totò u Curtu, a mafioso from Corleone, Sicily. Riina is played by Claudio Gioè, and the series was directed by Alexis Sweet and Enzo...
(2007) as Tommaso BuscettaTommaso BuscettaTommaso Buscetta was a Sicilian mafioso. Although he was not the first pentito in the Italian witness protection program, he is widely recognized as the first important one breaking omertà... - Nuclear SecretsNuclear SecretsNuclear Secrets, aka Spies, Lies and the Superbomb, is a 2007 BBC Television docudrama series which looks at the race for nuclear supremacy from the Manhattan Project through to the Pakistani nuclear weapons.-Production:...
(2007) as Brugioni - The Moon and the StarsThe Moon and the StarsThe Moon and the Stars is a 2007 romantic drama film starring Jonathan Pryce, Alfred Molina, Catherine McCormack and directed by John Irvin.-Plot:...
(2006) Tumiati - The Listening (2006) Vaughan
- Unstoppable (2004) Miller
- Nel mio amore (2004) Jacques
- Nema problemaNema problema (2004 film)Nema problema is a 2004 Italian film directed by Giancarlo Bocchi.-Plot:Lorenzi, a war correspondent, ventures into a Balkan territory contended by various warring factions...
(2004) Anselmo Lorenzi - Belly of the BeastBelly of the BeastBelly of the Beast is a 2003 action film starring Steven Seagal, and directed by Hong Kong action choreographer Ching Siu-tung. Seagal plays an ex-CIA agent on a quest to find his kidnapped daughter.-Plot:...
(2003) Fitch McQuad - Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) Martini
- Bella Bettien (2002) Rico Morales
- HeavenHeaven (2002 film)Heaven is a 2002 Film directed by Tom Tykwer, starring Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi. Co-screenwriter Krzysztof Kieślowski intended for it to be the first part of a trilogy , but died before he could complete the project...
(2002) Chief Guard - Texas 46 (2002) Italian POW
- Captain Corelli's MandolinCaptain Corelli's MandolinCaptain Corelli's Mandolin, released simultaneously as Corelli's Mandolin. in the United States, is a 1994 novel written by Louis de Bernières which takes place on the island of Cephallonia during the Italian and German occupation of World War II. The main characters are Antonio Corelli, an...
(2001) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Quartermaster - Dancing at the Blue IguanaDancing at the Blue IguanaDancing at the Blue Iguana is an American drama film, released in 2000, directed by Michael Radford about the lives of strippers in an adult club...
(2000) (as Vincent Ricotta) Customer - The Hook-Armed Man (2000) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Lou
- Ballad of the Nightingale (1998) (as Vincenzo Ricotta)
- Falling SkyFalling Sky-Synopsis:Murphy plays the role of Emily. Her alcoholic mother, Resse, tells her that the disease runs in the family, and she is at risk of having it too...
(1998) (as Vince Ricotta) Mr. Hanes - In Love and WarIn Love and War (1996 film)In Love and War is a romance drama film based on the book, Hemingway in Love and War by Henry S. Villard and James Nagel, starring Mackenzie Astin, Chris O'Donnell, Sandra Bullock, and Margot Steinberg. This film takes place during World War I, and is based on the World War I experiences of the...
(1996) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Italian Officer - A Little WormA Little WormA Little Worm is a 1995 short film directed by Marc Benardout. It stars Vincent Riotta and Issy Van Randwyck. The short film was distributed theatrically by Buena Vista with the feature film Ed Wood by director Tim Burton....
(1995) Al Capone - Ready to Kill (1994) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Robert
- La Chance (1994) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Nicola
- Il Quinto giorno (1994) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Robert
- Leon the Pig FarmerLeon the Pig FarmerLeon the Pig Farmer is a 1993 comedy about a Jewish estate agent in London who discovers that thanks to an artificial insemination mishap, his real father owns a pig farm in Yorkshire...
(1993) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Elliot Cohen - Hanna's WarHanna's WarHanna's War is a 1988 film co-written and directed by Menahem Golan. The film is based on The Diaries Of Hanna Senesh and the biographical novel A Great Wind Cometh by Yoel Palgi. It is a biopic detailing the true story of Hannah Szenes.-Plot:...
(1988) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Yoel - Body Contact (1987) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Tony Zulu
- Car Trouble (1985) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Kevin