Gianfranco Russo Biografia

Gianfranco Russo was born in Piano di Sorrento (Naples) on 03/04/1972. He studied drama in Hollywood from 1995 to 1999 at Stella Adler's Academy of Acting and then participated in courses held by coach Sandy Marshall and by May Quigley Goodman. In 1999, he made his theatrical debut in Hollywood with Eugene O'Neil's work "Thirst", playing the role of "The Sailor" under the direction of Greg James. Later in 1999, and once more in the theater, he played the role of "Robert" in a production of "Betrayal" directed by Timothy McNeil. In 2000 he played one of the leads, "Rolly", in the brilliant comedy "Escape from Happiness", d irected by Michael Sean McGuinness. In the same season, he appeared in an advertising campaign for Pepsi in Latin America. In 2001 he was "Miguel" in the theatrical production "Something Spanish" directed by Roberto Perez. In 2002, he appeared as "The Thief" in the TV show presented by Orlando Jones, "The Orlando Jones Show". 2003 saw him at the Elephant Theatre in Hollywood, again in a brilliant comedy directed by Cory Baker, "Friends like These", playing the part of "Giovanni". In 2004, he played the leading role of "Jimmy" in Julia Radochia's short film "Jimmy's House of Hugs". In the same year, he again played the lead in "A Kiss on the Nose", a short film directed by Laura Neri, in the role of "Romano". The film was broadcast in Italy in 1995, as part of the Canale 5 short film series. Back in Italy in 2004, he attended workshops with American coach Michael Margotta. He immediately landed the lead in a Tamoil advertising campaign, directed by Gabriele Salvatores, in the role of "Michele", button man and son of a mafia boss ... The same year, he appeared in the American blockbuster "Empire", directed by Kim Manners, in the role of the Roman legionary "Lost Legion Scout". Since 2004, he has played "Michele Blasi" in the Italian soap opera "Vivere" In 2005, he again played the leading role in the sequel to the Tamoil TV commercial.