Enzo Ashford Zelocchi was born in Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Raised predominantly between the United States and Italy with family also located in England and France, he is of Italian, British, Spanish, French, Asian, and Jewish descent. Enzo pursued higher education in Italy, graduating with a degree in accounting from a private international school in Rome before relocating to Milan to study marketing, media strategy, and public relations at the private university IULM, alongside the Stanislavski acting method at the Milan Theater Center. It was during his time here that Enzo began a successful modeling career that soon segued into opportunities to appear in television advertising.
Enzo's first breakthrough role was that of Ivan in the hit Italian TV show "Un Ciclone in Familia" (2005) (Family Storm) which aired on the popular Italian Channel 5 (Mediaset Network). Following this, he relocated back to New York where he began studying under the Lee Strasberg-inspired acting coach Susan Batson. Alongside his work in front of the camera, Enzo launched his producing career under the mentorship of Crossroads Entertainment CEO TJ Mancini. Together, they collaborated on the production of several projects, including Find Me Guilty (2006) starring Vin Diesel and directed by the Academy Award-winning director Sidney Lumet, and A War Hero 3.0 (2023) with Enzo Zelocchi serving as Director and Producer and Vin Diesel serving as Executive Producer. Enzo Zelocchi and Vin Diesel were also Executive Producers in Life Is a Dream (2014).
Continuing to hone his craft, Enzo entered a new phase in his career, taking on the parallel duties of writer, director, leading actor, and producer for several projects. These include My Little Princess (2010), The Way to Paradise (2011), Silence Speaks (2013), Unbreakable Souls (2015), and Angels Apocalypse (2015). He also garnered notable acclaim for writing, directing, starring in, and producing No War (2022) set in war-torn Ukraine, co-starring Ukrainian refugee child actress Emilia Nimak. Enzo also served as Executive Producer in Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins' upcoming movie Freud's Last Session (2023) which co-stars Matthew Goode and is directed by Matt Brown. This marks the continuation of a career that has so far earned the actor over 290 Awards on the Film Festival circuit worldwide and a substantial social media following.
Alongside a prosperous career as an actor, director, and film producer, Enzo has also moved into the world of entrepreneurship as the founder and CEO of A-Medicare, a next-generation digital platform that aims to democratize healthcare by harnessing the latest technological advancements, described by several critics as a new "Amazon for healthcare."
Can you first tell us a little about your background growing up between Italy and the US?
ENZO: I mainly grew up with my grandparents and aunties who always supported and believed in me. I had some family members who moved to America over 80 years ago around New York and Chicago. Growing up I was able to take all the best qualities from both realities in Italy and the US. I have a big Italian heart with an American soul and mindset. I deeply love the United States; here, I was able to become the man that Iam today.
You first entered the entertainment industry as a model in NY. Can you talk about that experience?
ENZO: Fashion is an interesting industry that really never connected with my soul, but I did well anyway. Even at a young age, I always liked to build something that was potentially leading to exponential growth. At that time in fashion there wasn't much to strategize without the help of a navigated team of agents, managers and publicists.
How did you go from modeling to acting? Who have been some of your greatest inspirations as actors?
ENZO: It was a natural transition for me since modeling. I started doing some commercials and immediately connected with acting and loved being on set. Some of my greatest acting inspirations are: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Daniel Day Lewis, Danzel Washinton, Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando.
Your acting led you into producing and writing. What made you want to get into producing and writing?
ENZO: Regarding writing, I felt that I had more to give. I wanted to be able to express myself as best as possible. Producing wise, with my business mindset I always want to be more in charge of my destiny and less a puppet (by just being an actor).
You are VP in development for Crossroads Entertainment. Can you tell us about the company and what kinds of films you are producing?
ENZO: The CEO of the company is my great friend and producer mentor TJ Mancini. Thanks to him I learned a lot about Hollywood at the beginning. One of the films that Crossroads Entertainment produced was "Find Me Guilty" starring Vin Diesel and directed by the Academy Award winner director Sidney Lumet.
Out of all the films and TV you have worked on thus far, what has been something you are most proud of?
ENZO: Many but my last one "Freud's Last Session" starring Anthony Hopkins, Matthew Goode and directed by Matt Brown which is already considered by Variety an Oscar contender is definitely something special.
You are producing some exciting projects right now. Can you tell us about any of these?
ENZO: Yes, definitely. The movie "Freud's Last Session" sees Freud invite iconic author C.S. Lewis to debate the existence of God, as well as a unique relationship with his daughter, and Lewis' unconventional relationship with his best friend's mother. I'm an Executive Producer on this project.
You attended Cannes this year. Can you tell us a highlight from that experience?
ENZO: Lots of interesting deals and meetings. I always love going to Cannes. The energy around the festival is incredible.
Why is it crucial as a producer to attend Cannes every year?
ENZO: In Cannes, you can meet LA based studio executives, producers and other Hollywood decision makers that you normally don't see in LA. It's also a chance to increase your network, which is a vital thing in the entertainment business.
What are your hopes for you and for your company in the next five years?
ENZO: Definitely keep growing with bigger projects and maximize every opportunity that comes my way in order to turn dreams into realities.
Interview by Vanessa McMahon