Born and raised in Bergen County, New Jersey to father Alfred D. Schiaffo, a lawyer who later became a NJ State Senator, and mother Mary Faye McClanahan from Ft. Lauderdale Fl. who died of cancer when he was nine years old, Rick discovered his artistic ways at the age of twelve by drawing cartoons. 

By the time he was in high school, he was taking a cartoon correspondence course, was playing the drums and found his way into a couple of high school plays as an actor/dancer. 

Rick also excelled in sports having won a boxing medal and becoming a Bergen County gymnastics champion on the Still Rings.

After graduating he enrolled in the School of Visual Arts in NYC. It was there that Rick discovered that “art” wasn’t as satisfying as it used to be.

That combined with an unhappy home life, he joined the Air Force. It was towards the end of his five-year stint that he discovered the excitement of being a DJ at a US armed forces radio station in Korea. Performing arts seemed to resonate for him. After his discharge he soon got involved with Community Theater. 

Shortly following that he began acting at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC. He has since played numerous leading roles in the Theater in and around New York City, and has garnered some excellent reviews. 

Click here to read some of Rick's reviews.

After leaving the Academy of Dramatic Arts, to make ends meet, Schiaffo was given an opportunity to work part time for a television network, which grew into a full time job. 

Thinking that the two fields were related and that it could help with his acting career, he soon learned that one does not beget the other. 

He continued pursuing both fields and since has received two Emmy Awards and continues to work as a Director / Cameraman.

Rick is now pursuing more acting work in front of the camera. You will be seeing more of him soon.