Trivia

His father is African American and his mother is African American / Cherokee Indian.

Is a founding member of the African American Shakespeare Company in San Francisco.

One of his "bill paying" jobs was doing a bubble show for kids parties. It was a science show that taught kids how bubbles are made, the different colors and even shapes of bubbles. He was referred to at parties as "The Bubble Man".

Rico is a fan of Star Trek and has been blessed to have had the opportunity to work with the numerous Actors, Producers and Writers from the various Star Trek series and films in multiple projects ranging from Television, Film, Theatre as well as Sci-Fi / Comic Cons and Autograph Show. Productions and the like include Star Trek 2009, Star Trek: Renegades, Sci-Fest - The Annual Los Angeles Science Fiction One Act Theatre Festival, Outreach and enrichment programs (The Omega Sci-Fi Project) and countless in person signing appearances at Sci-Fi / Comic Cons and Autograph Shows around the world.

Is a huge fan of all things Sci Fi and has been ever since he was a child.

Rico is the oldest of 11 children on his mother's side ( 6 biological and 5 adopted) and the 3rd of four children on his father's side.

His mother is a retired government worker and his father is a retired transit bus driver.

Portrayed Malcolm X in "The Meeting" in Hollywood at The Stella Adler Theatre (Feb. 16 thru March 11, 2007). (February 2007)

Another one of his "bill paying" jobs was traveling with a theatre group, from Kaiser Permanente Hospitals, to elementary, middle and high schools and performing shows about health and safety. The first show was called 'Bodywise'. It was performed in elementary schools and was a Sesame Street type review that taught children about eating right, exercising, conflict resolution and saying no to drugs. Rico played the title character, Rob. The second show was called 'Nightmare on Puberty Street'. It was performed in middle schools and took on topics ranging to peer pressure, puberty, bullying and thoughts of suicide. Rico played the title character of Jamal. The third show was called 'Secrets'. It was performed in high schools and tackled the subject of HIV / AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Rico played the title role of Eddie. The fourth show was called P.E.A.C.E. Signs. It was performed in middle schools and dealt with conflict resolution. Rico helped create, write and originated one of the title characters. Rico worked for Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Programs for 10 years.

Won his first Best Actor award on his birthday on March 10, 2016 at the Pasadena International Film Festival for the film, 'Dreams My Master'.

Was born on the Ford Ord Army base in the small town of Seaside in Monterey, California.

Studied Theatre Arts, Broadcasting and Black Studies at San Francisco State University.

Is an active member of The Robey Theater Company, a Los Angeles based African American theater company created by Ben Guillory and Danny Glover.

Loves to hike.

In 2006, Rico's father passed away from liver cancer.

Was raised on Chicago's south side until he was ten, and grew into manhood in Berkeley, Oakland, and Alameda, California.

In 2017, Rico became the permanent host of the Short Film Awards (SOFI'S) in New York City and has hosted the event ever since.

Cousin of actor Paul Benjamin (I).