Armando was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico in 1977 to Cuban parents. In 1980, the Riescos moved to the metropolitan area of San Juan. He attended Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola high school, where he was mentored by his English teacher Fr. Francis Golden. After graduation, Armando went on to pursue a degree in theatre -- under the tutelage of David Downs -- with a minor in Latin American Studies, from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. During those years he also taught acting to high school students at TASIS England in the outskirts of London. He stayed in Chicago working in theater for two years after graduating, until was asked to reprise the role of Dexter off broadway. Following his performance in Four by Christopher Shinn, at the Tribeca Playhouse and the Manhattan Theater Club, Armando decided to make New York home.

Since arriving in New York, Armando worked in several film and television productions, including Garden State, Bella, Fever Pitch, World Trade Center, 3 Lbs., 25th Hour, National Treasure 1 and 2, among others. He guest starred on Fringe and Law and Order among other shows and has a recurring role in the new NBC series Kings. His voice can be heard on radio and television in a variety of commercial spots in Spanish and English for Heineken, McDonalds, Champs Sports, Arena Football League, Verizon, and others. Armando was lucky enough to work on many Rockstar video games such as Grand Theft Auto, Midnight Club II, and The Warriors.

Armando is an avid fan of spoken word poetry and storytelling. His piece "Vuelta" was selected by HBO Latino in 2003 for the half hour special Habla. Another piece developed alongside Christopher Shinn and directed by Marc Brokaw, "Lakeera", took Armando to the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado. He was also named one of the Top 10 Actors to Watch for 2005 at the San Diego Film Festival. He has worked teaching theater workshops at Rikers Island prision, and is developing various theater and film projects as a writer/director.

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