After a few minor roles Ricci emerged in 1984, with the Pupi Avati's film Impiegati, for which she won a Globo d'oro for Best New Actress.

[1] In 1988 she won a David di Donatello for Best Supporting Actress and a Silver Ribbon in the same category for her role in Carlo Verdone's Io e mia sorella.

[2] In 1990 Ricci was awarded with a David di Donatello for Best Actress and a Ciak D'Oro in the same category for her performance in Ne parliamo Lunedì.

[2] In 2010 she shared with Lunetta Savino a Silver Ribbon for Best supporting Actress for Mine vaganti, directed by Ferzan Özpetek.

For her television activity she received several awards, including two Telegatti, the 2005 Fiore di Roccia,[4] and the 2006 Premio Afrodite as Best TV-Actress.