Biography
Born and raised in Rome, Raoul Bova finished his compulsory education, completed military service as a sharpshooter, and started a university education before chucking it for a chance at an acting career. After a debuting in "Una Storia Italiana" (RAI Uno, 1993) and logging a number of appearances in Italian films and television shows, he gained greater European exposure in "Piccolo Grande Amore" (1993). In 1994 he became a household mainstay in his native Italy, when he starred in "La Piovra" ("The Octopus") (RAI, 1984-2001) a popular TV series that garnered the equivalent of an Emmy for his performance. In 2001, Bova made his debut in an American production, when he played a supporting role in the Sylvester Stallone revenge movie, "Avenging Angelo" (2001). His most successful film to date was "La Finestra Di Fronte" ("Facing Windows") (2003), which was awarded 4 David de Donatello awards (the Italian equivalent of the Academy Awards) in addition to being the top grossing Italian film of 2003. Also in 2003, he was the object of Diane Lane's affection in "Under the Tuscan Sun" (2003). Bova made his US television series debut in a recurring role on the JJ Abrams produced dramedy "What About Brian" (ABC, 2006-07). He played a supporting role in the Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie film "The Tourist" (2010), and starred opposite Sarah Jessica Parker in the romantic dramedy "All Roads Lead to Rome" (2015).
