Life and career

Riotta is 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 Penélope Cruz. However, universally he is probably best recognised 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 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 brought up in Britain to Italian immigrants. He is fluent in Sicilian.

Filmography

• Tender Eyes (2014) as Henry
• Rush (2013) Lauda's Mechanic
• Da Vinci's Demons (2013) Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino
• Goltzius and the Pelican Company (2011) Ricardo del Monte
• Zen (2011) Giorgio de Angelis
• Hustle Series 7 (2011) Carle Bachini
• Squadra antimafia - Palermo oggi (2009)
• Einstein (2009) as The NASA Operator
• Il Capo dei Capi (2007) as Tommaso Buscetta
• Nuclear Secrets (2007) as Brugioni
• The Moon and the Stars (2006) Tumiati
• The Listening (2006) Vaughan
• Unstoppable (2004) Miller
• Nel mio amore (2004) Jacques
• Nema problema (2004) Anselmo Lorenzi
• Belly of the Beast (2003) Fitch McQuad
• Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) Martini
• Bella Bettien (2002) Rico Morales
• Heaven (2002) Chief Guard
• Texas 46 (2002) Italian POW
• Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Quartermaster
• Dancing at the Blue Iguana (2000) (as Vincent Ricotta) Customer
• The Hook-Armed Man (2000) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Lou
• Ballad of the Nightingale (1998) (as Vincenzo Ricotta)
• Falling Sky (1998) (as Vince Ricotta) Mr. Hanes
• In Love and War (1996) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Italian Officer
• A Little Worm (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 Farmer (1993) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Elliot Cohen
• Hanna's War (1988) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Yoel
• Body Contact (1987) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Tony Zulu
• Car Trouble (1985) (as Vincenzo Ricotta) Kevin

[ Source: Wikipedia ]