Ricky Memphis (stage name of Riccardo Fortunati; born 29 August 1968IMDB Listing) is an Italian television and film actor. He is best known for his interpretation of Inspector Mauro Belli, in the police drama series, Distretto di Polizia ("Police District"), which was broadcast weekly for eleven seasons by Italian network Canale 5 from 2000 to 2012.
Career Ricky Memphis was born in Rome, Italy. His career in the entertainment business began at the end of the 1980s with his first television appearance as an urban poet on the Maurizio Costanzo talk show. He chose his stage name "Memphis" in honour of American singer Elvis Presley."Ricky Memphis: ringrazio Dio e quella giornalista chi mi salvò". TGCom. Panorama.it. Article by Antonella Piperno. 18-01-11
His first role in a major picture was in the 1990 film Ultra, directed by Ricky Tognazzi. Memphis won the award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Red at the European Film Awards.IMDB
He followed with roles in Pugni di rabbia, La scorta and Il branco. Memphis received national popularity with his interpretation of the compassionate Inspector Mauro Belli in Mediaset's Canale 5 television police drama series Distretto 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 of Inspector Mauro Belli.Excite Magazine, October 17, 2006, retrieved on 15 January 2009Scavicchia la Notizia, La Voce Della-Emittenza, 14 November 2008, retrieved on 15 January 2009 Memphis's television work also includes the Canale 5/Italia 1 production of Crimini bianchi ("White Crimes"), in which he played the role of lawyer Claudio Bruni, and Rai 1's Caccia al re - La Narcotici in 2011.
Filmography Film YearTitleRole(s) Notes1991 Ultra Red Pugni di rabbia Danilo Ferranti1993 Briganti – Amore e libertà Frappeste The Escort Fabio Muzzi1994 The Heroes Enzo Il branco Pallesecche1995 L'anno prossimo vado a letto alle dieci Poldo Palermo – Milan One Way Remo Matteotti 1996 Strangled Lives Claudio De Santis 1997 Other Men Riccardo Zanni1998 We'll Really Hurt You Ruggero Kaputt Mundi Orecchino 1999 S.O.S. Policeman Cameo appearance 2002 Paz! Man from Latina Cameo appearance 2007 Milan – Palermo The Return Remo Matteotti2011 The Immature Lorenzo Coppetti Ex 2: Still Friends? Fabio De Rossi Vacanze di Natale a Cortina Massimo Proietti 2012 The Immature: The Trip Lorenzo Coppetti2013 Us in the U.S. Nino The Fifth Wheel Giacinto2014 The Move of the Penguin Salvatore A Fairy-Tale Wedding Daniele Baldini Soap Opera Paolo Bonetti What's Your Sign? Saturno Bolla 2015 Torno indietro e cambio vita Claudio Palmerini 2016 Miami Beach Lorenzo2018 Sconnessi Achille Catenacci Loro Riccardo Pasta A Five Stars Christmas Walter Bianchini2019 Don't Stop Me Now Dario Carocchi Il grande salto Nello2020 Un figlio di nome Erasmus Pietro Divorce in Las Vegas Lucio Lockdown all'italiana Walter2023 Un matrimonio mostruoso Remo The Worst Days Vincenzo 2025 Poveri noi Ottavio Crocetti 2026 Prendiamoci una pausa Romeo
Television YearTitleRole(s) Notes 1999 Excellent Cadavers Mafioso #1 Television movie 2000–2006 Distretto di Polizia Inspector Mauro Belli Main role (season 1-6); 136 episodes2001 Il morso del serpente Sante Venuti Television movie La Sindone – 24 ore, 14 ostaggi Alberto Television movie 2008–2009 Crimini bianchi Claudio Bruni Lead role; 12 episodes 2010 Un paradiso per due Nerone Television movie2011 Anti-Drug Squad Livio Vitale Main role (season 1); 6 episodes Così fan tutte Various Season 2, episode 1 2011–2012 Tutti pazzi per amore Giampaolo Main role (season 3); 26 episodes 2011–2013 Come un delfino Father Luca Palmisano Main role; 6 episodes 2012 Area Paradiso Aurelio Television movie 2018 The Immature: The Series Lorenzo Coppetti Main role; 8 episodes 2019 L'amore, il sole e le altre stelle Pietro Television movie 2021–2024 Everything Calls for Salvation Pino Cogli Main role; 10 episodes 2024 Mameli Angelo Brunetti / Ciceruacchio Main role; 4 episodes 2026 I Cesaroni Carlo Antonelli Main role (season 7); 12 episodes
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