Rizzo () is a surname of

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

origin, denoting a person with

curly hair Curly is a surname, given name, nickname or stage name. It may refer to: First name, nickname or stage name * Crazy Horse (1840–1877), Oglala Sioux war chief nicknamed "Curly" * Curly (scout), nickname of Ashishishe (c. 1856–1923), Crow Ind ...

or a variation of the surnames

Ricci Ricci () is an Italian surname, derived from the adjective "riccio", meaning curly. Notable Riccis Arts and entertainment * Antonio Ricci (painter) (c.1565–c.1635), Spanish Baroque painter of Italian origin * Christina Ricci (born 1980), Americ ...

and Risso.

Geographical distribution

As of 2014, 55.1% of all known bearers of the surname ''Rizzo'' were residents of

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

(frequency 1:786), 18.2% of the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

(1:14,059), 7.9% of

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

(1:18,357), 5.1% of

Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...

(1:5,960), 3.3% of

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...

(1:3,422), 2.4% of

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

(1:19,532), 1.1% of

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...

(1:7,505), 1.0% of

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

(1:27,097) and 0.01% of

Corfu Corfu (, ) or Kerkyra ( el, Κέρκυρα, Kérkyra, , ; ; la, Corcyra.) is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the margin of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The isl ...

Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders with ...

(1:10). In

, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average (1:786) in the following regions: * 1.

Sicily (man) it, Siciliana (woman) , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = Ethnicity , demographics1_footnotes = , demographi ...

(1:234) * 2.

Apulia it, Pugliese , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = , demographics1_footnotes = , demographics1_title1 = , demographics1_info1 = , demographic ...

(1:261) * 3.

Calabria , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = , demographics1_footnotes = , demographics1_title1 = , demographics1_info1 = , demographics1_title2 ...

(1:374) * 4.

Veneto Veneto (, ; vec, Vèneto ) or Venetia is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about five million, ranking fourth in Italy. The region's capital is Venice while the biggest city is Verona. Veneto was part of the Roman Empire unt ...

(1:699) In

, the frequency of the surname was higher than national average (1:3,422) in the following provinces:Rizzo surname distribution
/ref> * 1.

Los Ríos Province Los Ríos () is a province in Ecuador. The capital is Babahoyo. The province was founded on October 6, 1860. Under legislative decree. Babahoyo was made its capital on September 30, 1948. Demographics Ethnic groups as of the Ecuadorian census o ...

(1:694) * 2.

Guayas Province Guayas () is a coastal Provinces of Ecuador, province in Ecuador. It is bordered to the west by Manabí Province, Manabí, Santa Elena Province, Ecuador, Santa Elena, and the Pacific Ocean (as the Gulf of Guayaquil); to the east by Los Ríos Pr ...

(1:1,410) * 3.

Galápagos Province Galápagos () is a province of Ecuador in the country's Insular region, located approximately off the western coast of the mainland. The capital is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The province administers the Galápagos Islands, a group of tiny vol ...

(1:2,098) * 4. El Oro Province (1:3,237)

People

Notable people with this surname include: * Francesco Rizzo da Santacroce (1505-1545), Italian painter, active mainly in Bergamo and Venice * Adam Rizzo, American founder of the Solar Liberty *

Alanna Rizzo Alanna Janel Rizzo (born August 8, 1975) is an American sports reporter, who was part of the Los Angeles Dodgers broadcast team on Spectrum SportsNet LA from 2013 through 2020. She rejoined MLB Network in 2021. Biography Rizzo is a native of Color ...

, American sports reporter *

Alberto Rizzo Alberto Rizzo (May 2, 1931 – October 9, 2004), was an Italian photographer and painter. He was born in La Spezia, outside of Rome, Italy, Rome. Rizzo studied painting, design, and graphic arts at the famed Accademia delle Belle Arti di Brera, M ...

, fashion photographer and painter * Alberto Rizzo (footballer) (born 1993), Italian football player *

Aldo Rizzo Aldo Rizzo (24 May 1935 – 9 November 2021) was an Italian politician and magistrate. Biography Born in Palermo in 1935, Rizzo was member of the Independent Left (Italy), Independent Left. He has served as List of mayors of Palermo, Mayor of P ...

(1935-2021), Italian politician and magistrate * Alessandro Minuto-Rizzo (born 1940), Italian diplomat, former Deputy Secretary General of NATO * Alex Rizzo (1968-2002), American professional wrestler *

Alfredo Rizzo Alfredo Rizzo (2 January 1902 – 6 September 1991) was an Italian actor, screenwriter and director. Life and career Born in Nice, France into a family of actors, Rizzo started his career as an actor of avanspettacolo and revue, often alongs ...

(1902-1991), French-born Italian actor, screenwriter and director * Alfredo Rizzo (athlete) (1933–2023), former Italian middle-distance runner *

Angelo Rizzo Angelo Rizzo (April 11, 1926, Montedoro, Province of Caltanissetta - July 16, 2009, Montedoro) was the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ragusa, Sicily from February 2, 1974, until his retirement on February 16, 2002. He was succeeded as bisho ...

(1926-2008), Italian Roman Catholic Bishop of Ragusa *

Anthony Rizzo Anthony Vincent Rizzo (born August 8, 1989) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs. He is a three-time ...

, MLB baseball player * Antonio Rizzo (footballer), Italian footballer *

Carmen Rizzo Carmen Rizzo (born April 8, 1964) is an American record producer, mixer, programmer, DJ, remixer and recording artist, based in Los Angeles. The two-time Grammy nominee has worked with Seal, Coldplay, Paul Oakenfold, Alanis Morissette, Dido, Je ...

(born 1964), American producer, mixer, programmer, DJ, remixer and recording artist *

Diletta Rizzo Marin Diletta Rizzo Marin (born in Vicenza) is an Italian operatic mezzo-soprano admired for the quality of her voice and her skills in acting. She has appeared frequently at the Festival Internacional de Santander. Biography Diletta Rizzo Marin was ...

, Italian operatic mezzo-soprano * Francesco Rizzo (footballer) (born 1943), retired Italian football midfielder * Francisco Rizzo (1831-1910), acting Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines, *

Frank Rizzo Francis Lazarro Rizzo (October 23, 1920 – July 16, 1991) was an American police officer and politician. He served as Philadelphia police commissioner from 1968 to 1971 and mayor of Philadelphia from 1972 to 1980. He was a member of the Democr ...

, former mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US * Frank Rizzo Jr. (born 1940), American politician *

Frank L. Rizzo, Jr. Francis Silvestri Rizzo (born March 5, 1943), commonly known as Frank Rizzo Jr., is an American politician. He is the son of former Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo and served as a Republican Party (United States), Republican and briefly as an Indep ...

, politician and son of the aforementioned mayor *

Giacomo Rizzo Giacomo Rizzo (born 17 January 1939) is an Italian film actor. He has appeared in more than 40 films since 1970. He starred in ''The Family Friend'', which was entered into the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. Selected filmography * ''Il sindacalista' ...

(born 1939), Italian film actor *

Gianni Rizzo Gianni Rizzo (1925–1992) was an Italian film actor. Between 1944 and 1986 he appeared in over seventy films and television productions, in a variety of supporting roles. His screen roles included parts in a number of peplum films, such as '' Th ...

(1925-1992), Italian film actor * Giuseppe Rizzo (born 1991), Italian footballer * Giuseppe Rizzo (priest) (1863-1912), Italian priest, politician and journalist * Gonzalo Nicolás Rizzo Sánchez (born 1995), Uruguayan football defender *

Helena Rizzo Helena Rizzo (December 6, 1978) is a Brazilian chef and restaurateur. She runs the restaurant Maní in São Paulo. Rizzo was elected Best Female Chef of the Year by Restaurant Magazine in 2014. Biography Born in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Su ...

(born 1978), Brazilian chef and restaurateuse * Jessica Rizzo, pornographic actress and businesswoman *

Jilly Rizzo Ermenegildo "Jilly" Rizzo (May 6, 1917 – May 6, 1992) was an American restaurateur and entertainer. Career As a young man, Rizzo worked with his father delivering Italian ice to cafes. Rizzo opened Jilly's Saloon, a lounge on West 49th Stree ...

(1917-1992), American restaurateur and associate of Frank Sinatra *

Jo-Ann Rizzo Jo-Ann Rizzo (born June 1, 1963 in Zweibrücken, West Germany) is a Canadian curler from Brantford, Ontario. She currently plays third on Team Kerry Galusha. Career Rizzo grew up in Germany, where her father was stationed in the military. Sh ...

(born 1965), Canadian curler * Joe Rizzo (American football) (born 1950),

Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football franchise based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team is headquart ...

linebacker from 1974 to 1980 *

Joe Rizzo (baseball) Joseph Rizzo (born March 31, 1998) is an American professional baseball third baseman who is a free agent. Amateur career Rizzo attended Oakton High School in Vienna, Virginia, where he played baseball. Prior to his junior year, he committed to p ...

(born 1998), American baseball player *

John A. Rizzo John Anthony Rizzo (October 6, 1947August 6, 2021) was an American attorney who worked as a lawyer in the Central Intelligence Agency for 34 years. He was the deputy counsel or acting general counsel of the CIA for the first nine years of the Wa ...

(1947–2021), American lawyer and intelligence officer * John Rizzo (politician) (born 1980), American Democratic member of the Missouri Senate since 2017 * John-Ross Rizzo, American physician-scientist * Johnny Costa Rizzo (1912-1977), American outfielder in Major League Baseball *

Joseph Rizzo Joseph Rizzo (18th century) was a minor Maltese philosopher and theologian who probably specialised in logic. Life Rizzo was a diocesan priest. He studied theology and was a professor of philosophy. He taught philosophy in Malta at least betwee ...

an 18th-century philosopher and theologian from Malta * Juan Salvador Rizzo (1906, date of death unknown), Argentine professional football player *

Linda Jo Rizzo Linda Jo Rizzo (born 1 April 1955, in New York City) is an American singer, songwriter and producer, with Italian roots, currently based in Germany. Originally from the United States, she was a photo model and studied nourishing sciences in New ...

(born 1955), American singer, composer and musical producer * Luca Rizzo (born 1992), Italian professional footballer *

Luigi Rizzo Luigi Rizzo, 1st Count of Grado and Premuda (1887–1951), nicknamed ''the Sinker'', was an Italian admiral. He is mostly known for his distinguished service in World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviat ...

, Italian naval officer and World War I hero *

Marc Rizzo Marc Rizzo (born August 2, 1977) is an American musician, best known as the former lead guitarist of metal band Soulfly. He has featured on eight Soulfly albums: ''Prophecy'', '' Dark Ages'', '' Conquer'', '' Omen'', '' Enslaved'', '' Savages' ...

, current lead guitarist of Brazilian Metal band Soulfly and formerly of Ill Niño *

Marco Rizzo Marco Rizzo (born 12 October 1959 in Turin) is an Italian politician, leader of the Communist Party (PC) and in 2022 with Sovereign and Popular Italy. Biography A graduate in political science in 1985, he was a lecturer in vocational guidance ( ...

, Italian politician *

Matteo Rizzo Matteo Rizzo (born 5 September 1998) is an Italian figure skater. He is a two-time European Championship medalist (silver in 2023, bronze in 2019), a three-time Grand Prix bronze medalist, the 2019 Winter Universiade champion, a two-time Ita ...

(born 1998), Italian figure skater *

Mauro Rizzo Mauro Rizzo (born 15 June 1984) is a footballer from Italy. He has played as a defender for the U.S. Lecce, Roma, Bellaria, Andria, and Melfi football club. Career Born in Galatina, the Province of Lecce, Rizzo started his career at U.S. ...

(born 1984), Italian footballer * Michele Rizzo (born 1982), Italian rugby union player *

Mike Rizzo Michael Rizzo, is an American DJ, record producer and remixer from New York City, active since the early 1990s. He is well known for working with various artists such as Jennifer Green and Sun, all of whom scored hits on both '' Billboard's Ho ...

, DJ and music producer *

Mike Rizzo (baseball) Michael Anthony Rizzo (born December 14, 1960) is an American baseball front office executive who is the President of Baseball Operations and general manager of the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). After a brief playing car ...

, baseball executive * Rita Rizzo, an American Franciscan nun known as Mother Angelica, founder of the

Eternal Word Television Network The Eternal Word Television Network, more commonly known by its initials EWTN, is an American basic cable television network which presents around-the-clock Catholic-themed programming. It is not only the largest Catholic television network in ...

Nick Rizzo Nicholas Anthony Rizzo (born 9 June 1979) is an Australian former Football (soccer), footballer. Rizzo began his career in England with Liverpool F.C., Liverpool, however, he made his professional debut for Crystal Palace F.C., Crystal Palace w ...

, Australian footballer *

Nick Rizzo (curler) Nick Rizzo (born July 24, 1961) is a Canadian curler from Brantford, Ontario. He was active on the World Curling Tour until 2015. He is a former provincial junior and mixed champion. In 1979, his rink of Dan Aitchison, Brad Hager and Chris Hage ...

(born 1961), Canadian curler *

Pat Rizzo Pat Rizzo (November 30, 1941 – April 15, 2021) was an American saxophonist and flautist, best known for his work with funk band Sly and the Family Stone. Career Rizzo started performing in the sixties with The Cuff Links. He is best known f ...

, saxophonist for Sly & the Family Stone *

Patti Rizzo Patrice M. "Patti" Rizzo (born June 19, 1960) is an American professional golfer and golf instructor. Amateur career Rizzo was born in Hollywood, Florida. A collegiate All-American at the University of Miami, among her significant victories as ...

(born 1960), American professional golfer * Paul Rizzo (born 1982), Australian Michael Jackson tribute artist *

Pedro Rizzo Pedro Augusto Rizzo (; born 3 May 1974) is a Brazilian retired mixed martial artist and kickboxer who competed for the UFC, PRIDE, M-1 Global, and Affliction. Although he never captured the UFC Heavyweight Championship, Rizzo competed for i ...

, Brazilian mixed martial artist and kickboxer *

Rob Rizzo Rob Rizzo (born June 5, 1973) is an American former NASCAR driver. In his career, he scored three top-10 finishes in the Craftsman Truck Series, which was the only national touring series he raced in. NASCAR career Rizzo made his debut in 199 ...

, NASCAR driver *

Robert Hunecke-Rizzo Robert Hunecke-Rizzo (17 June 1971 in Wolfsburg) is a German bassist, guitarist and drummer, known for his work with Heavens Gate, Luca Turilli, and Kamelot. He was one of the founding members of the supergroup Aina, which released the metal oper ...

(born 1971), German bass player, guitarist and drummer * Roberto Rizzo (born 1961), former Italian football midfielder and current manager * Simone Rizzo DeCavalcante (1912-1997), Italian member of the New Jersey Mafia, nicknamed "The Count" * Sócrates Rizzo, Mexican politician * Steve Rizzo, American motivational speaker, author, and former stand-up comedian * Tatiana Rizzo (born 1986), Argentine volleyball player *

Todd Rizzo Todd Michael Rizzo (born May 24, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played during two seasons at the Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox. He was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agen ...

(born 1971), retired Major League Baseball pitcher *

Tony Rizzo Tony Rizzo (born June 27, 1940) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a New Democratic member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 1995 who represented the central Toronto riding of Oakwood. He was also an alderman ...

(born 1940), Canadian politician * TJ Rizzo (1915-1979), American dance instructor and founder of the University of Utah Children's Dance *

Turu Rizzo Turu Rizzo (13 March 1894 – 23 May 1961) was a Maltese water polo player. He competed in the men's tournament at the 1928 Summer Olympics The 1928 Summer Olympics ( nl, Olympische Zomerspelen 1928), officially known as the Games of the ...

(1894-1967), Maltese Olympic water polo player and world record swimmer * Walter Rizzo (born 1956) champion Australian bodybuilder *

Willy Rizzo Willy Rizzo (22 October 1928 – 25 February 2013) was an Italian photographer and designer. Publications *''Starsociety'', editor Schirmer Mosel, 1994 *''Mes stars : L'Album secret de Willy Rizzo'', text of Jean-Pierre de Lucovich, editor Fili ...

(1928-2013), Italian photographer and designer. ;Fictional characters * Betty Rizzo, character from the musical '' Grease'' and the popular film version played by

Stockard Channing Stockard Channing (born Susan Antonia Williams Stockard; February 13, 1944) is an American actress. She is known for playing Betty Rizzo in the film '' Grease'' (1978) and First Lady Abbey Bartlet in the NBC television series ''The West Wing'' ( ...

, the acerbic and profane character portrayed by Johnny Brennan *

Luther Rizzo This is a list of characters from the ''M*A*S*H'' franchise, covering the various fictional characters appearing in the novel '' MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors'' and its sequels, the 1970 film adaptation of the novel, and the televis ...

, character from the television series ''M*A*S*H'' * Stan Rizzo, character from the

AMC AMC may refer to: Film and television * AMC Theatres, an American movie theater chain * AMC Networks, an American entertainment company ** AMC (TV channel) ** AMC+, streaming service ** AMC Networks International, an entertainment company *** AM ...

television series

Mad Men ''Mad Men'' is an American period drama television series created by Matthew Weiner and produced by Lionsgate Television. It ran on the cable network AMC from July 19, 2007, to May 17, 2015, lasting for seven seasons and 92 episodes. Its fict ...

* Enrico "Ratso" Rizzo, character from the film ''Midnight Cowboy'' * Deputy Frank Rizzo, character from

Reno 911! ''Reno 911!'' is an American comedy television series airing on Comedy Central. It is a mockumentary-style parody of law enforcement documentary shows, specifically '' Cops'', with comic actors playing the police officers. Thomas Lennon, Rober ...

. *

Rizzo the Rat Rizzo the Rat is a Muppet character, created and originally performed by Steve Whitmire. He is a fictional rat who appeared on ''The Muppet Show'' and numerous films, with a starring role in the 1992 film ''The Muppet Christmas Carol''. The char ...

, from

The Muppets The Muppets are an American ensemble cast of puppet characters known for an absurdist, burlesque, and self-referential style of variety- sketch comedy. Created by Jim Henson in 1955, they are the focus of a media franchise that encompasses ...

Other uses

Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in Parkland, Florida, in 2012 by professional baseball player Anthony Rizzo. The organization raises money for cancer research and provid ...

, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in Parkland, Florida, in 2012 by Anthony Rizzo *

City of Bell scandal The Bell scandal involved the misappropriation of public funds in Bell, California, United States, over a period of several years in the late 2000s. In July 2010, the ''Los Angeles Times'' published an investigative article on possible malfeasa ...

, one of the protagonists in a case of misappropriation of public funds in Bell, CA, in the late 2000s * People v. Rizzo, a criminal case that set precedent for what constitutes an attempt to commit a crime * Re Rizzo & Rizzo Shoes Ltd, a 1998 judgment from the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the priority of employees interests

References

{{surname, Rizzo Italian-language surnames Surnames of Italian origin

Geographical distribution

People

Other uses

See also

References