Richard Robert Ruccolo (born March 2, 1972) is an American television and film actor, best known for his lead role in the sitcom ''

Two Guys and a Girl ''Two Guys and a Girl'' (titled ''Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place'' for the first two seasons) is an American television sitcom created by Rick Wiener, Kenny Schwartz, and Danny Jacobson. The series started as a short-run (thirteen episodes) ...

'' (originally titled ''Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place'').

Early life

Ruccolo was born in

Marlton, New Jersey Marlton is a census-designated place (CDP) located within Evesham Township in Burlington County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.Cherokee High School in Evesham Township,

New Jersey New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...

. It was there Ruccolo first discovered his love of acting while starring as the lead in the high school's production of ''

Oklahoma! ''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs's 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...

'' After graduating he moved to

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

to find work as an actor. Throughout his auditions, Ruccolo slept on a friend's sofa until he found work.

Career

Gradually Ruccolo began to find guest roles in such dramas as ''

Beverly Hills, 90210 ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' (often referred to as ''90210'') is an American teen drama television series created by Darren Star and produced by Aaron Spelling via his production company Spelling Television. The series ran for 10 seasons on Fo ...

'' and ''

The X-Files ''The X-Files'' is an American science fiction on television, science fiction drama (film and television), drama television series created by Chris Carter (screenwriter), Chris Carter. The original series aired from September 10, 1993, to Ma ...

''. He starred in nationally televised commercials for

Wendy's Wendy's International, LLC, is an American international fast food restaurant chain founded by Dave Thomas (businessman), Dave Thomas on November 15, 1969, in Columbus, Ohio. Its headquarters moved to Dublin, Ohio, on January 29, 2006. As of D ...

, Skittles and

7 Up 7 Up (stylized as 7UP worldwide) or Seven Up is an American brand of Lemon-lime drink, lemon-lime–flavored non-caffeinated soft drink. The brand and formula are owned by Keurig Dr Pepper, although the beverage is internationally distributed ...

. However, it was not until 1998 that Ruccolo became recognized. Ruccolo found fame as Pete Dunville in the sitcom ''

''. When the series was canceled in 2001, Ruccolo starred in ''

All Over the Guy ''All Over the Guy'' is a 2001 American gay-themed romantic comedy film directed by Julie Davis and written by Dan Bucatinsky, based on Bucatinsky's 1997 stage play, ''I Know You Are, But What Am I?'' Plot The film is told mostly in flashback ( ...

'', ''The One'', ''Missing in the USA'', and ''Anacardium''. In 2005, he guest starred in three episodes of ''

Joey Joey may refer to: People *Joey (name) Animals * Joey (marsupial), an infant marsupial * Joey, a blue-fronted Amazon parrot who was one of the Blue Peter pets Film and television * ''Joey'' (1977 film), an American film directed by Horace ...

'' as Glen. In 2008 and 2010, Ruccolo starred in the Lifetime sitcom ''

Rita Rocks ''Rita Rocks'' is a Lifetime original sitcom that ran from October 20, 2008 to December 7, 2009. It was the network's first original comedy in over a decade. The series debuted alongside re-runs of '' Reba'' as part of a new comedy hour for Tues ...

''.

Personal life

Ruccolo was once engaged to former ''

Saved by the Bell ''Saved by the Bell'' is an American television teen sitcom created by Sam Bobrick for NBC. The series premiered, in prime time, on August 20, 1989, a Sunday night. Targeted at kids and teens, ''Saved by the Bell'' was broadcast in the United ...

'' star

Tiffani Thiessen Tiffani Amber Thiessen (born January 23, 1974) is an American actress. Her roles as List of Saved by the Bell characters#Kelly Kapowski, Kelly Kapowski on NBC's ''Saved by the Bell'' (1989–1993) and its Saved by the Bell#Spin-offs, spin-off me ...

. They met in 2000 when Thiessen guest starred in several episodes of ''

''. Their relationship ended in March 2003. In 2008, he married Lauren Rees.

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ruccolo, Richard 1972 births Living people Male actors from New Jersey American male film actors American male television actors Cherokee High School (New Jersey) alumni People from Evesham Township, New Jersey 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors Actors from Burlington County, New Jersey