The character was created as the son of Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) and Isabella Braña (Eva Longoria), born onscreen on May 10, 2002.

After being portrayed by a series of unidentified infant child actors, the character was raised by Isabella's parents in Los Angeles, California.

"Regardless of his initial motivation for heading back to Wisconsin, Ricky will undoubtedly open up many old wounds and many new story line possibilities.

Of Porte's exit, Nelson Branco of Soap Opera Unsensored stated, "Too bad, since the improved actor has finally been winning over fans and critics with his surprisingly intense and compelling performance of a man unhinged.

[6] Porte compared Ricky to his mother Isabella, saying, "I was there just under a year, but when you start stealing babies, threatening lead characters and murdering people, you know your time is going to be limited.

[5] After being sent to live with Isabella's parents who raised him, Ricky returned to Genoa City working for Avery Bailey Clark (Jessica Collins) during the Sharon Newman murder case.

Ricky took pictures of Heather kissing Adam Newman (Michael Muhney), a key suspect in Sharon's case.

He originally intended to give the pictures to Phyllis Newman to publish in Restless Style magazine, however, he gave them to Avery for safe keeping instead.

When Sharon was finally set free thanks to Phyllis and Ronan Malloy, Avery brought the pictures to the courthouse, and she left them on the desk.

Before his interview, Ricky snuck into the police station and took pictures of a file involved in the Diane Jenkins murder investigation.

Ricky made a deal with Phyllis which allowed him access to Restless Style's website, and he published an article about Nikki Newman's (Melody Thomas Scott) involvement in the murder investigation.

Ricky is discovered in the nick of time by Paul, who, just moments earlier, attempted to have a purported heart-to-heart conversation with his son.

When it appears that Ricky is about to stab Eden, Paul shoots him in the right arm, causing him to fall backwards through the upper-floor bathroom window to his death.