Best Of 2016: EXCLUSIVE Actor Spotlight: Rio Mangini of 'Bella and the Bulldogs'

Photo Credit:
Ben Miller

Thirteen year old Rio Mangini from California is a multi-talented actor who stars in the Nickelodeon series 'Bella and the Bulldogs'. In this Nickelodeon series, Rio stars as Ace McFumbles, Other TV and movies he has been able to land are 'B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations' as Dylan, 'Miles from Tomorrowland' (TV Series) as Rygan, 'One Crazy Cruise' (TV Movie) as Cameron Jensen-Bauer, 'See Dad Run' as Carlos, 'Finders Keepers' (TV Movie) as Dylan and more.

Our founder/editor David Mills had the opportunity to interview this thirteen year actor on acting, education and more. Here is what he had to say.

When did you start acting?
I started acting when I was 8. Before I actually got an agent and started auditioning i took improv classes to get out of my shy-phase. and I still take it today. I was really inspired by iCarly - I would watch it all the time, and learn from the cast members. They looked like they enjoyed what they were doing, and I certainly enjoy what I do!

Was it your dream to be an actor?
Yes!  I was an iCarly super-fan! I couldn’t not watch iCarly! I was so fascinated with this amazing Dan Schneider masterpiece, that I went to my mom and said,”Mom! I want to be funny on a show like iCarly!” (she told me I wasn’t very funny and to go back to the piano-) And after a few years-I started working in Television.  Bella and the Bulldogs is an amazing experience, and guess what? My dream came true. I am on a Nickelodeon show!

Are there challenges pursuing a acting career?

BC Edges UMass Baseball, 2-1, in Beanpot Matchup

Senior Vinny Scifo drove in the lone run of the day for the Minutemen with a bunt single in the seventh.

Freshman Ryan Lever was 1-for-3 with a run scored on Wednesday at Boston College. Photo is courtesy of UMass.

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - University of Massachusetts baseball out-hit Boston College, 7-6, but it was BC who came out on top, 2-1, in a Beanpot first round matchup at Shea Field on Wednesday afternoon. The loss leaves the Minutemen at 7-14 on the season, while the Eagles improve to 18-11 and advance to next week’s Beanpot Championship game vs. Northeastern.

Boston College took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. After opening the inning with back-to-back singles and a walk, Michael Strem plated Mitch Bigras with a sacrifice fly to put the Eagles on the board.

UMass pushed across the tying run in the top of the seventh. Freshman Ryan Lever poked a one-out single through the right side of the infield and moved to third on a base hit to right by junior Jon Avallone. Lever then came home a bunt single by senior Vinny Scifo.

The Eagles regained the lead, 2-1, with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. Strem knocked a single through the left side, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a single to right by Joe Cronin.

Junior Mike Geannelis took the loss (0-2) on the mound for the Minutemen, allowing one run on two hits over two innings of relief with no walks and two strikeouts. John Witkowski collected the win (1-0) and Jesse Adams earned a save for BC, both tossing hitless innings out of the bullpen with one strikeout apiece.

The Minutemen will be back in action this Fri., Apr. 15, when the squad will open its first home Atlantic 10 series of the season vs. Saint Joseph’s at 3 p.m. on Earl Lorden Field

EXCLUSIVE Actor Spotlight: Rio Mangini of 'Bella and the Bulldogs'

Photo Credit:
Ben Miller

Thirteen year old Rio Mangini from California is a multi-talented actor who stars in the Nickelodeon series 'Bella and the Bulldogs'. In this Nickelodeon series, Rio stars as Ace McFumbles, Other TV and movies he has been able to land are 'B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations' as Dylan, 'Miles from Tomorrowland' (TV Series) as Rygan, 'One Crazy Cruise' (TV Movie) as Cameron Jensen-Bauer, 'See Dad Run' as Carlos, 'Finders Keepers' (TV Movie) as Dylan and more.

Our founder/editor David Mills had the opportunity to interview this thirteen year actor on acting, education and more. Here is what he had to say.

When did you start acting?
I started acting when I was 8. Before I actually got an agent and started auditioning i took improv classes to get out of my shy-phase. and I still take it today. I was really inspired by iCarly - I would watch it all the time, and learn from the cast members. They looked like they enjoyed what they were doing, and I certainly enjoy what I do!

Was it your dream to be an actor?
Yes!  I was an iCarly super-fan! I couldn’t not watch iCarly! I was so fascinated with this amazing Dan Schneider masterpiece, that I went to my mom and said,”Mom! I want to be funny on a show like iCarly!” (she told me I wasn’t very funny and to go back to the piano-) And after a few years-I started working in Television.  Bella and the Bulldogs is an amazing experience, and guess what? My dream came true. I am on a Nickelodeon show!

Are there challenges pursuing a acting career?