Nicole Rio
- Producer
- Actress
- Executive
Nicole Rio is a California Native. Her Father, Eddie Rio, was a Talent Manager, Producer and Vaudevillian performer who co-founded one of the first unions for performers, the American Guild of Variety Artists. Her Mother, Antoinette Rio, worked at ABC as an Executive of Financial Administration. Her brother, Frank Rio, owned Regency Artists who later merged with Triad Talent Agency and eventually WME. Her two additional brothers, Edward Rio-Rotunno, Jr. (a successful cinematographer) and Tyrone Rio-Rotunno (a musician) along with her sister, Joanne Rio-Barr were all unique mentors who encouraged both her business and artistic drive.
Rio began pursuing the arts at the age of 11, enrolling in her first dance, acting and voice classes with Maybin Hewes-Sherman alongside her then childhood "bestie", Amy Sherman-Palladino. She landed her first starring role as Sue in The Zero Boys at age 19, followed by a starring role as Tracy with Honorary Academy Award winning film producer Roger Corman in the cult classic Sorority House Massacre. In her mid-20's.
Since her major influences growing up stemmed from a family of industry professionals and entrepreneurs, Rio was continually intrigued and inspired to learn every aspect of the creative, business and financial sides of the entertainment and music industries.
Rio was hired as VP of Development for Superluminal Films, based in Manhattan Beach, CA. From here, she spent the next 10 years serving as the right-hand to such mentors as Richard King, then Paramount Executive David Madden, Academy Award winning producer and co-founder of Imagine Entertainment Brian Grazer and Producer/Executive Benny Medina. In addition, Rio served as Chief Of Staff for Theodore Nguema Obiang, spearheading the launch of his production company, Beautiful Pictures, and serving as a consultant for the company's financial investments.
Rio has served as a board member for Theater For The Blind in Los Angeles, worked with St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Much Love Rescue and several additional non-profit organizations, including The Joanne Barr Liver Transplant Foundation, established in her Sister's honor.
Rio began pursuing the arts at the age of 11, enrolling in her first dance, acting and voice classes with Maybin Hewes-Sherman alongside her then childhood "bestie", Amy Sherman-Palladino. She landed her first starring role as Sue in The Zero Boys at age 19, followed by a starring role as Tracy with Honorary Academy Award winning film producer Roger Corman in the cult classic Sorority House Massacre. In her mid-20's.
Since her major influences growing up stemmed from a family of industry professionals and entrepreneurs, Rio was continually intrigued and inspired to learn every aspect of the creative, business and financial sides of the entertainment and music industries.
Rio was hired as VP of Development for Superluminal Films, based in Manhattan Beach, CA. From here, she spent the next 10 years serving as the right-hand to such mentors as Richard King, then Paramount Executive David Madden, Academy Award winning producer and co-founder of Imagine Entertainment Brian Grazer and Producer/Executive Benny Medina. In addition, Rio served as Chief Of Staff for Theodore Nguema Obiang, spearheading the launch of his production company, Beautiful Pictures, and serving as a consultant for the company's financial investments.
Rio has served as a board member for Theater For The Blind in Los Angeles, worked with St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Much Love Rescue and several additional non-profit organizations, including The Joanne Barr Liver Transplant Foundation, established in her Sister's honor.