Ricky Memphis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Riccardo Fortunati (1968-08-29)29 August 1968 (age 57) Rome, Italy |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known for | His role asInspector Mauro Belli in the police drama seriesDistretto di Polizia broadcast byCanale 5 |
Ricky Memphis (stage name ofRiccardo Fortunati; born 29 August 1968[1]) is an Italian television and film actor. He is best known for his interpretation ofInspector Mauro Belli, in the police drama series,Distretto di Polizia ("Police District"), which was broadcast weekly for eight seasons by Italian networkCanale 5 from 2000 to 2009.
Ricky Memphis was born inRome, Italy. His career in the entertainment business began at the end of the 1980s with his first television appearance as an urban poet on theMaurizio Costanzo talk show. He chose his stage name "Memphis" in honour of American singerElvis Presley.[2]
His first role in a major picture was in the 1990 filmUltra, directed byRicky Tognazzi. Memphis won the award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal ofRed at theEuropean Film Awards.[3]
He followed with roles inPugni di rabbia,La scorta andIl branco. Memphis received national popularity with his interpretation of the compassionateInspector Mauro Belli in Mediaset's Canale 5 television police drama seriesDistretto di Polizia ("Police District"), which aired for eight seasons from 26 September 2000 to November 2009. His character left the series in the sixth season of the series. There was talk of Memphis returning to the series in his former role ofInspector Mauro Belli.[4][5]Memphis's television work also includes theCanale 5/Italia 1 production ofCrimini bianchi ("White Crimes"), in which he played the role of lawyerClaudio Bruni, andRai 1'sCaccia al re - La Narcotici in 2011.
