Ruccello was later a member of a group of researchers who studied the popular traditions and language of Campania, led by Roberto De Simone, a Neapolitan composer and musicologist.
He won further awards in 1988 following the premiere of his comedy, Ferdinando, in February 1986 (San Severo, Teatro Verdi).
The original production had design by Franco Autiero, with Isa Danieli (who happened to inspire the character in the first place) in the leading role.
Later on, Ferdinando was performed in Paris in 2000 at Théatre du Rond-Point, dubbed by Adriana Asti in French.
Ruccello's work as playwright ended with Anna Cappelli and Mamma: piccole tragedie minimali, in competition for the Primo Premio Gennaro Vitiello in May 1986.
On 12 September 1986, while returning from a trip to Rome, Ruccello died in a car accident on the Roma-Napoli motorway.
Scritti inediti: una commedia e dieci saggi, con un percorso critico di Rita Picchi, Roma, Gremese, 2004.