I reach Ricky Memphis, at the registry office Riccardo Fortunatiwhile he is going up the cable car in the mountains of Cortina d’Ampezzo during a short break from his commitment as a juror at the Short Film Festival: «Excuse me if I’m short of breath, but I ran to catch it», he justifies himself with that no-frills education that distinguishes him. Born in the popular neighborhood of Monte Mario in Rome, the actor lost his father at just 4 years old in a car accident, but grew up in a united and large family that surrounded him with love. At the age of 9 he read the news in the newspaper of the death of Elvis Presley, his idol, originally from Memphis in Tennessee, the city from which he took his surname: «The king of rock seemed to me to be an infallible hero», he remembers with emotion, «even today if I listen to his records it brings tears to my eyes».
At home he is taught respect for his family and others, however his is a non-atheist environment, although not practicing and quite anticlerical: «Despite this, I always felt a spontaneous transport towards Jesus, perhaps I saw in Him the father figure that I had been missing. His words and his way of behaving fascinated me. I remember that, when I saw a film about his life, I always hoped that they would spare him from crucifixion, despite knowing that his sacrifice had allowed the salvation of humanity.”
Ricky, therefore, has always been a believer: «I have never lost my faith even at the age when you are forced to conform to the “pack” to feel accepted. At the time I was in a group that viewed being Christian negatively and I tried to distance myself from my beliefs, as if I was ashamed of it. When I began to think on my own, I understood that faith was a grace I had received, I became proud of being Catholic. Today faith is my lifeline from fears and moments of discouragement. I keep the Gospel on my bedside table and read a few pages every eveningeven if I often don’t apply it: I remain a Christian who often makes mistakes!
In his religious journey, the artist admits the importance of having found a spiritual guide: «I feel a particular gratitude towards Don Paolo Tammi, my parish priest when, as a boy, I attended the parish of San Pio X in the Balduina district, where I lived. Don Paolo was my confessor, my spiritual director, but above all a friend». After working as a kneader in his uncle’s pastry shop and as a laborer on construction sites, Ricky made his debut on the Maurizio Costanzo Show as a metropolitan poet: «At the time I was a boy, Costanzo represented culture at Amici mie», he recalls with a hint of nostalgia, quoting the famous film by Mario Monicelli. He was discovered as an actor by Claudio Amendola for the film Ultrà (1991), quickly becoming one of the public’s most loved character actors. We then remember him in the television series District of Police and in over forty films including Immaturi by Paolo Genovese (2011) and the latest Take a break by Christian Marazziti (2026) in which he always gave a spontaneous humanity to his characters, making them totally credible. In this high-altitude one-on-one, the actor reveals for the first time how the Madonna is a fundamental point of reference in every moment of his life.
What do you feel towards Maria?
«Since I was a child my great attraction has been towards Jesus, but in moments of “decrease” there has always been Our Lady, even almost physically, to bring me back towards Him. Once I took part in a materialist philosophy course, the speakers spoke badly of Mary and I felt offended, as if they had insulted my mother».
Have you received any graces from the Virgin?
«I continually ask for thanks to the Madonna: I know that she grants them to me because she wards off negative things through her prayer. Unfortunately, we only notice what happens, while we don’t pay attention to what doesn’t happen through his protection and intercession.”
Did you name your daughter Mary after the Heavenly Mother?
«Yes, of course, because we discovered that we were expecting her on May 13th: the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima».
Have you visited any Marian shrines?
«Yes, that of the Divine Love of Rome: like all the other Marian sanctuaries it is a very beautiful and important place, a destination for many families. I would also like to go to Medjugorje to personally realize the strength that place transmits. However, I do not feel the need for supernatural apparitions to believe, because the Truth has already been revealed by Jesus.”
Pray?
«Yes, always, even now that I’m on the cable car. I pray both on a traditional level, reciting the Hail Mary and the Our Father, and in a sort of internal dialogue. Prayer to the Madonna and Jesus increases my faith.”
Would you like to pass on the faith to your children Francesco and Maria?
«Of course: I would like to pass on to them the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel, also taking my example, so that they become true Christians. Often I am unable to apply them, but I also pray for this.”
Do you fear death?
“No, but I’m terrified of the idea of leaving my children alone like my father did with me because they still need my presence.”
Do you attend Mass?
«Yes, there are periods in which I go to Mass every evening in my parish Regina Pacis, in the Monteverde neighborhood of Rome».
Would you like to play the part of a saint?
«Oh God, I don’t know… Maybe I would feel inadequate: I would have to understand the spirit behind the operation. If it wasn’t a totally Christian project, I would give up.”
Who is your favorite Pope?
«John Paul II. I discovered it late: in the first part of his pontificate I had to pretend to be anticlerical; subsequently I freed myself from that position that did not belong to me, I delved deeper into his figure and understood that he was holy even in life. I also liked Benedict XVI very much, I considered him the last bastion of the guardians of the faith, a man of great cultural depth. I had the opportunity to listen to him during a general audience.”
What do you think of the Church today?
«Christianity cannot exist without the Church because it is the work of the Holy Spirit. Mistakes are made, scandals exist because it is managed by men who can make mistakes.”
Are you satisfied with your role in Cesaroni 7?
«I am very satisfied with my role in Cesaroni 7, my character is a new entry. In the series I found Claudio Amendola, a true friend: I started this profession partly thanks to him.”
Our conversation ends here. Ricky gets off the cable car to enjoy the Ampezzo mountains, for him a “buen retiro” a stone’s throw from the sky.
