Rotondo was born in
Naples, Italy, from a Neapolitan father and New Zealand mother of Irish descent. He grew up in Italy and moved to New Zealand when he was eleven. As an actor, Rotondo is best known for his character Andrew Solomon on the New Zealand soap opera
Shortland Street. In 2016 he released his debut feature film "Orphans & Kingdoms" to great critical acclaim. He was a lead in the New Zealand feature film
Stickmen. Television roles include on
Xena: Warrior Princess, and
When We Go to War. He was nominated for TV Guide Best actor' on two occasions. In 2016 Paolo played Johnny Torrio, Al Capone's infamous mentor in the US Television series
The Making of the Mob: Chicago. As a writer Rotondo has written for film and theatre. The short films
The Freezer and
Dead Letters were both supported by the
New Zealand Film Commission and are studied in New Zealand high schools. Plays he has written include
Little Che inspired by
The Motorcycle Diaries and
Strange Resting Places co-written with
Rob Mokaraka, produced by
Taki Rua Productions and based on family stories of the
Māori Battalion in Italy in World War II.
Strange Resting Places was performed for over nine years and been published by
Playmarket. It was also the opening feature-length episode of the six-part television series
Atamira. It aired on
Māori TV on 25 April 2012 at 8.30pm. As a TV Commercial Director Paolo is represented by Flying Fish films New Zealand. He directed the film
Orphans and Kingdoms which was released for general exhibition in April 2016. He lives in the Hawkes Bay with his partner Renee Mark and their two children. == Directing credits ==