Rick Rizzo
Producer, Director, Writer and Actor
Screen Actors Guild Member
American Federation of Radio and Television Artist

Rick started his acting career at the age of 15 in Boston Mass., worked in films, Television and commercials, and attended Emerson College in Boston Ma, studying Television Production.  His directing debut was on Smoke Eaters in the early 1980’s, this was a history of a small town Fire Dept. in New England.  Currently producing several shows but most recent developing and producing documentary/ reality television for other production companies.   His first docu/reality show he created was “Chop Cops” for CBS Eye Productions with Barbara Barnhart of CBS.  As a producer, Rick Rizzo is adept at taking show concepts and turning them into exciting, audience-grabbing programs.   Rick earned his SAG card back in 1981, and has been an active member to this date. 

He began his “producing career” in Las Vegas in 2006, working in TV and Film.  Rick is also a published writer and photographer in many US and foreign newspapers and magazines.  His latest projects include Chop Cops, this was a docu/reality show following the Las Vegas Police Air Support Unit, as well as programs with the US Military, and the Thunderbirds at Nellis Air Force Base.  Vegas First Family, Sin City Coroner, Drag Queen and the Mo Show.  His most recent work was in Feb 2013 with the show “Fast N’ Loud” where he shot a segment with Robbie Knievel in Las Vegas to be used in the shows 2013 season.  Many other shows he has worked on are not listed due to his NDA’s with production companies. He recently worked on two “pilots” as the Associate Producer for HGTV, and Fremantel Media.  He is currently working with Joe Cafarelli (Revere Police Chief & SWAT TEAM Commander) on the only official “true life” story of the Capture of the Boston Bomber as a co-creator, write and eventually producer. 

Rick attended and received two degrees (Associates & Bachelors in Science) from Northeastern University in Boston Ma. majoring in Criminal Justice and he is a member of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society.  He has worked as a police officer for the Hull Police Department MA. as a Summer Officer.   Became a Deputy Sheriff with Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department in Boston Ma, as a Deputy Sheriff (Graduated from the Sheriff’s Academy).  He also attended a Massachusetts Municipal Police Academy and graduated.  Then becoming a police Officer for the Manchester “By the Sea” Police Department and worked as a full time officer for the Nahant Police Department where he finished his career in Police work in Massachusetts.

In 2005 Rick began working part time a few days a week as a Deputy US Marshal (CSO) at the US Federal Court House in Las Vegas Nevada.  He has well over 25 plus years in Law Enforcement.

Rick is also 18 year veteran of the US Navy as a Reservist.  He started his career in the Navy at the age of 35, as he says, “Because I wanted to do my part for my country”.  First as a Master- At- Arms, and Investigator.  He served and patrolled at the Navy Sub Base in Groton Conn., he also became a mentor for younger sailors in the MA program teaching police and patrol classes.  He was the only reservist allowed to patrol and work with the base K-9 unit.   

Years later he was then accepted to Naval Air Crew School “Loadmaster Program” graduating from the Navy’s Air Crew School, and has flown as an Air Crewman in the C-130T and C-40 aircraft. 

Rick is now the only PAO for USNR Las Vegas working with the Nellis AFB PAO office.  He is also the Lead Petty Officer for the OSU Unit at NOSC Las Vegas with some 50 shipmates making this unit the largest in Las Vegas.  He is also working with the US Navy Region Hollywood Office in Los Angeles, Ca. as a Mass Communications Officer (Public Affairs) for his remaining years with the US Navy Reserves/ Part-Time.  His current rank is E-6 a First Class Petty Officer.  Rick expects to transfer to the Navy Hollywood office sometime in 2015. 

With Rick’s background in law enforcement and the military gives him an edge with his fellow officers and military family as well.  This gives the production company he is working with a type of filming that gives a program some added punch, true reality and honesty.  Rick’s spotless record as a police officer and in the military proves he can be trusted by both the production company, studio and network and all who come in contact with him.  “Honesty, Integrity and Pride” is Rick’s way of life.  Ricks background in police work gives his writing and producing that “cops” edge, for this is what other cops look for because he is a member of that “thin blue line”, and they trust him with real life stories and open doors do not normally open to anyone!

I started up a small production company and named it after my best friend Wren.  She was a German Shepard rescue from Massachusetts who became my best friend and member of my family.  I became one with her, we became soul mates.  I loved her so much, and when I lost her, she passed in my arms and it killed me.  I promised her I would name my company after her, and I would someday pay her love forward.  I will have a program to save animals and start up a rescue to help animals and put them together with their human counterpart.  I will someday do what I can for these dogs that can’t speak up, I will do it for them.  Helping partner up dogs with military vets and saving a life is what I will be doing and I already started helping now. 

He is currently working with several production companies and networks on his own shows, Rick stated Wren Productions who he named after his best Friend (Wren) who was a rescue dog Rick had for 13 years.  Ricks unique and diverse background along with his high quality of work makes him perfect for what Networks and Production companies want!  Rick currently works with Trisha Kirk an Emmy award winning producer now working in Las Vegas. 
My new IMDB page link below... its a work in progress....

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6151158/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

 

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Future Projects... 

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Kevin Virtusio
Camera, Editor Writer

Kevin is the co-founder of Wren Productions and has unlimited talent for TV and FILM.  Working on several shows in Vegas and LA, Kevin brings with him a fresh and young eye to this business.  A Man of many talents...

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This company is dedicated to Wren

Wren was Ricks companion and best friend, this company was named after her when she passed in Ricks arms in 2011.  We know that Wren is looking over this company and is one of our angels... Thanks Wren, we miss you and love you...
I hope you all believe in angels, because they are real...
Rick

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Jack is now aboard...

Like Wren, Jack is a rescue baby.  We love having our fur baby's around the office...

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