Adamo Ruggiero is a Canadian actor based in Ontario.
Born in 1986 to a Canadian mother and an Italian father, Ruggiero is best known for his role as gay teenager, Marco Del Rosso, on the show Degrassi: The Next Generation
Though he originally auditioned for a different part, Ruggiero has played Marco since the start of Season 2, in 2002.
Episodes Featuring Marco
Season 2
- Careless Whisper: Marco is confronted with his sexuality when the opportunity to kiss a girl arises.
Season 3
- Pride, Part I:Marco comes out to his friend Spinner, who can't quite handle the news.
- Pride, Part II: After ditching Marco, Spinner comes to his aid when he is harassed.
- It's Raining Men: Marco tries to go on a date with a guy named Dylan, but face a number of challenges.
Season 4
- King Of Pain: Marco comes out to his mom, but not his dad.
- Moonlight Desires: Marco isn't allowed to donate blood because he is gay.
Season 5
- Tell it to My Heart: Marco encourages another kid to come out, even though he isn't out to his own father.
- Total Eclipse of the Heart: Marco tries to choose between old and new love interests.
Season 6
- Here Comes Your Man, Part 1: Marco moves in with his boyfriend, Dylan.
- If You Leave: Marco worries that Dylan is cheating on him.
Season 7
- Standing in the Dark, Part 2: After breaking up with Dylan, Marco thinks about dating again.
After years of playing a gay character, Adamo Ruggiero came out as gay in January 2008.
In an interview with CTV he explained,
"The funny thing is, every time Marco did it, I did it. Marco came out to his mom in his room on the bed, and I did the exact same thing, with my mother, in my bedroom. And Marco confronted his dad in the kitchen, and I did the same thing, with my dad in my kitchen. And I didn't even plan it that way."
