Born in Rieti, Ricci studied at the local Art School before moving to Milan to pursue a career as a cartoonist.[1] He made his professional debut in 1971, collaborating as an illustrator with the editor L'Esperto.[1][2] He started his career as a comics artist in 1972, illustrating adult comics for Edifumetto.[1][3]
In 1980, Ricci joined Sergio Bonelli Editore, and made his debut by illustrating a story written by Alfredo Castelli for Mister No. In 1982, he became part of the Martin Mystère staff, contributing to the series until 1993.[1]
After leaving Bonelli, he collaborated on Tiramolla, and illustrated a Young Indiana Jones comics series for Corriere dei Piccoli. In 2001, he started a long-running collaboration as a comics artist on Diabolik, leaving in 2023 for health reasons.[1] Among his last works was the graphic novel Papa Sisto a fumetti, written by Michele Rossi and released on the 500th anniversary of Pope Sixtus V's birth.[4]
Ricci died in Grottammare on 4 August 2025, at the age of 79.[3]
