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Not
Just Your Average Italian Kid from New Jersey An
Interview with Mr. Romance 2001 -- Tony Ranaudo See
a Video Clip of Tony's winning performance, just click the picture
below.
When Tony Ranaudo decided to enter the Romantic Times Magazine’s annual Mr. Romance contest, it was on a fluke. He never planned on being a model of any kind. Tony’s aspirations lie in acting and stand-up comedy. So
when he received an anonymous e-mail informing him about the contest,
Tony figured it was worth the shot.
He’d been told that you didn’t necessarily have to acquire
the coveted title in order to pose for a book cover.
Besides, he honestly never thought he’d win. Six
months since he charmed the audience and judges alike at Romantic
Times’ Annual Booklovers Convention with his captivating smile, quick
wit, and all around good looks, Tony is basking in the attention and
opportunities this win has offered him.
And what better way to read of his good fortune than to have him
tell you all about it himself.
How do you feel about this newfound
success of yours as Mr. Romance? Tony
Ranaudo: I’m
having a really great time with it.
It’s one of those life things.
It just happened. One morning I’m drinking my coffee, I get this tip about
the contest, I enter and . . . well, you know the rest.
How
has this win impacted your career? TR: Positively. I’ve
made several appearances as Mr. Romance at comedy clubs and conventions.
As a matter of fact, I will appear on the “Other Half” with
Dick Clark on Wednesday, May 1st.
Winning this contest has opened doors for me to auditions and
inevitable appearances on shows like “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.”
The best part about it is I’ve incorporated my whole experience
into my comedy routine. And,
I’m also presently working on a sit-com based on the whole idea.
That’s
great! What made you want
to pursue a career in acting and comedy? TR: Growing up in a loud Italian family from New Jersey.
I’d do anything and everything to get noticed.
There was also my stint as a Chippendale dancer.
That was a great experience and enabled me to travel the world.
But when I started acting about ten years ago, playing an Elvis
impersonator in a series of commercials for the Colorado Lottery,
that’s when I really got hooked.
Moving straight from there into a staring role in a sit-com
pilot, there was no turning back. Unfortunately,
the pilot was never picked up. But
that didn’t stop you, did it?
You
must have had some gift for gab. How
were you able to pull that one off? TR: I still wonder. I
always had a zest for life and enjoyed meeting and talking to people.
Maybe it’s an Italian thing.
Who knows. So
how do you feel about adding model to your list of talents? When will you finally grace the cover of a romance novel? TR: I can’t wait to do my first shoot. And neither can my mother. She’s so excited. I’ve just been traveling so much because of other acting and comedy commitments that I haven’t had the chance to get to New York since before Christmas. But I’ve already met with a few of the photographers so it should happen soon. And Romantic Times will definitely give you the whole entire scoop when it does.
To
date Tony has appeared on television in a number of different roles.
He has guest starred on “Walker Texas Ranger,” “Dharma and
Greg,” and “Sabrina the Teenage
Witch.” His soap opera
appearances include: “Days
of Our Lives,” “Sunset Beach,”
and “General Hospital.” Along
with national and international commercial campaigns, Tony has also had
leading roles in four independent films, one of which just recently won
an award at the WorldFest Independent Film Festival in Houston, Texas.
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