Adamo Ruggiero

Canadian actor Adamo Ruggiero is best-known for his role as Marco Del Rossi on the dramatic teen TV series "DeGrassi:The Next Generation." He began acting at a young age and appeared in numerous local plays and productions. In 2002 Ruggiero joined the cast of the Canadian drama "Degrassi: The Next Generation," a continuation of the popular '80s series "Degrassi High." As Marco Del Rossi, a gay teenager who eventually comes out to his friends and family, Ruggiero's tough and sensitive performance garnered critical acclaim and served as a positive influence and role model for gay and lesbian youth. Ruggiero, who himself came out as gay in January 2008, appeared as a regular cast member for four seasons and made guest appearances during the ninth season of "Degrassi." In 2009 he appeared in the TV movie "DeGrassi Goes Hollywood" and landed a role as an openly gay college student in the TV Christmas drama "Make The Yuletide Gay." Since 2008 he has served as host of "The Next Star," a Canadian reality singing competition.