Italia Ricci
Italia Ricci (born October 29, 1986) is a Canadian-American actress known for Chasing Life, Designated Survivor, Supergirl, and Hallmark films. Discover her background, roles, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
Stephanie "Italia" Ricci is a Canadian-American actress whose work spans television dramas, superhero series, and Hallmark films. With her warm presence and versatility, she has made her mark in roles like April Carver in Chasing Life, Emily Rhodes in Designated Survivor, and Silver Banshee in Supergirl . Her journey from Canadian roots to Hollywood offers insight into perseverance, identity, and growth.
Early Life and Family
Italia Ricci was born October 29, 1986 in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. Stephanie-Italia Ricci and she is of Italian descent .
She completed her Bachelor of Arts and Science degree in 2008 at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where she also engaged in charity and activism (for example, supporting nonprofit causes abroad) .
Her early interest in performing arts led her to act in local theatre during her youth, nurturing her love for acting even before she considered it as a profession .
Career and Achievements
Early Career & Breakthroughs
Ricci’s acting debut came in 2007 with the direct-to-video comedy American Pie Presents: Beta House Aaron Stone on Disney XD .
Between 2009 and 2012, she had guest and small roles in shows like How I Met Your Mother, House, Greek, Secret Girlfriend, Unnatural History, and CSI .
Her big break came with Chasing Life (2014–2015), in which she starred as April Carver, a journalist navigating life challenges including health issues and personal growth .
Later, she joined the Supergirl universe as Siobhan Smythe / Silver Banshee (2015–2016) and took on the role of Emily Rhodes, Chief of Staff / Special Advisor, in the political thriller Designated Survivor (2016–2019) .
More recently, in 2022 she starred in The Imperfects as Dr. Sydney Burke, and in 2023 she appeared in Hallmark’s Catch Me If You Claus .
She also has participated in Hallmark Channel films such as Rome in Love, Love in Winterland, Late Bloomer, Don't Go Breaking My Heart, among others .
Personal Life & Citizenship
Italia Ricci began dating Canadian actor Robbie Amell in July 2008 (they met during Beta House) October 15, 2016 September 2019 .
In January 2020, both Ricci and Amell officially became U.S. citizens while retaining Canadian citizenship .
Style, Personality & Strengths
Ricci is known for being personable, grounded, and versatile—able to shift between dramatic roles, action/fantasy parts, and heartfelt, romantic stories.
In interviews and quotes, she often reflects on the journey of building a career in Hollywood, the insecurity and perseverance that actors face, and the importance of artistic expression and storytelling .
She has also spoken candidly about balancing ambition with humility, and about gratitude toward her support system (family, friends) during difficult phases .
Notable Quotes
Here are some memorable lines from Italia Ricci:
-
“I grew up doing theater when I was very young — always enjoyed it. Studied it in college … one summer … I was asked to audition … it sort of snowballed from there.”
-
“Being a part of ‘Chasing Life’ has been the greatest thing I’ve done, both personally and professionally.”
-
“I was raised Catholic in a very religious family.”
-
“I have a thing for just a white shirt and blue jeans.”
-
“I’m an actor, so I’m never going to feel like I’ve done enough.”
-
“A man can give me a steak, and he’s got my attention.”
-
“With a free afternoon, I’d probably put on a onesie, find something like a really dark, uncomfortable documentary on Netflix, and order pizza with a lot of ranch on the side.”
-
“I try my best to stay healthy, but I have the appetite of a nine-year-old boy, so I just pay for it in workouts.”
These show her humor, humility, and self-awareness about her life as an actor.
Lessons from Italia Ricci
-
Start somewhere: Her career trajectory shows how taking small steps (an extra role, guest parts) can lead to bigger opportunities.
-
Embrace uncertainty: She candidly speaks about not feeling “enough” and continuing to push forward.
-
Value support systems: She often notes the importance of friends, family, and collaborators who believe in you.
-
Flexibility in identity: She balances dual nationalities, shifting roles, and evolving creative ambitions.
-
Stay grounded: Her quotes about simple style, humor, and real moments reflect a grounded personality behind the public image.
Conclusion
Italia Ricci’s story is one of steady growth, resilience, and authenticity. From early theater days in Canada to acting across genres in the U.S., she navigates a path many aspiring actors can learn from. Her openness in interviews and memorable quotes invite fans to see not just the characters she plays, but a real person behind the scenes—someone striving, questioning, and creating.