Joseph Anthony Mantegna (/mɑːnˈtnjə/, Italian pronunciation: [manˈteɲɲa]; born November 13, 1947) is an American actor. He has starred in the CBS television series Criminal Minds since 2007 as FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi. He has voiced the recurring role of mob boss Fat Tony on the animated series The Simpsons, beginning with the 1991 episode "Bart the Murderer", as well as The Simpsons Movie (2007).

Joe Mantegna
Mantegna at a 2014 Evening Parade reception in Washington, D.C.
Born
Joseph Anthony Mantegna

(1947-11-13) November 13, 1947 (age 76)
EducationMorton College
Art Institute of Chicago
OccupationActor
Years active1969–present
Spouse
Arlene Vrhel
(m. 1975)
Children2, including Gia Mantegna
Websitewww.joemantegna.com

Mantegna began his career on stage in 1969 in the Chicago production of the musical Hair. He earned a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play and a Joseph Jefferson Award for portraying Richard Roma in the first American productions of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize–winning play Glengarry Glen Ross, the first of many collaborations with Mamet.[1] His long-standing association with Mamet includes the premieres of A Life in the Theatre, The Disappearance of the Jews and Speed-the-Plow on Broadway. Mantegna also directed a highly lauded production of Mamet's Lakeboat, which enjoyed a successful theatrical run in Los Angeles. He later directed the film version of Lakeboat.[2] In addition to theatrical appearances directed by Mamet, Mantegna appeared in Mamet's films House of Games (1987), Things Change (1988), Homicide (1991), and Redbelt (2008).

In film and on television, Mantegna is best known for his roles in box office hits such as Three Amigos (1986), The Godfather Part III (1990), Forget Paris (1995), and Up Close and Personal (1996). He starred in the television series First Monday (2002) and Joan of Arcadia (2003–2005). He has earned Emmy Award nominations for his roles in three different miniseries: The Last Don (1997), The Rat Pack (1998), and The Starter Wife (2007). He has also served as executive producer for various movies and television movies, including Corduroy (1984), Hoods (1998), and Lakeboat (2000), which he also directed. Additionally, he played Robert B. Parker's fictional detective Spenser in three made-for-TV movies between 1999 and 2001, and has narrated a number of audiobook readings of the Spenser novels.

Early life edit

Mantegna was born on November 13, 1947, in Chicago to Italian American parents.[3] His parents were Mary Ann (Novelli; 1916–2017), a shipping clerk from Acquaviva delle Fonti, Apulia, Italy,[4] and Joseph Henry Mantegna, an insurance salesman[5] from Calascibetta, Sicily,[6] who died in 1971 of tuberculosis.[7]

Mantegna was raised Catholic[8] and attended J. Sterling Morton High School East in Cicero, Illinois. He then attended Morton College and the Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago (now at DePaul University), leaving just before graduation in 1969.[9][10]

As a young man in Chicago, he played bass in a band called The Apocryphals, which later played with another local group, The Missing Links, who went on to form the band Chicago. As of 2007, Mantegna remained very close to the original members of Chicago.[11]

Mantegna started off in the film industry as a photographer, taking headshots.[12]

Career edit

Mantegna in 2009

Mantegna made his acting debut in the Chicago production of the stage musical Hair (1969) and debuted on Broadway in Working (1978). He co-wrote Bleacher Bums, an award-winning play which was first performed at Chicago's Organic Theater Company, and was a member of its original cast. In the movie Xanadu (1980), he had a small role which was cut, although since his name is in the film's credits, Mantegna gets residuals for the film.[13]

Mantegna won a Tony award for his portrayal of Richard Roma in David Mamet's play Glengarry Glen Ross. He has had a long and successful association with Mamet, appearing in a number of his works.[14]

Mantegna made his feature film debut in Medusa Challenger (1977). He played womanizing dentist Bruce Fleckstein in Compromising Positions (1985). He starred in an episode of The Twilight Zone in 1985 called Shelter Skelter. His other early film roles were supporting performances in The Money Pit (1986), Weeds (1987) and Suspect (1987).

He also starred in the critically acclaimed movies House of Games (1987) and Things Change (1988), both written by Mamet. He and Things Change co-star Don Ameche received the Best Actor Award at the Venice Film Festival. In 1991, Mantegna starred in another Mamet story, the highly praised police thriller Homicide.

Mantegna has played a wide range of roles, from the comic, as a jaded disc jockey in Airheads and an inept kidnapper from Baby's Day Out, to the dramatic, in roles such as Joey Zasa, a treacherous mobster in The Godfather Part III (1990) and an Emmy-nominated performance as singer Dean Martin in HBO's film The Rat Pack (1998).

Mantegna has a recurring role in the animated series The Simpsons as the voice of mob boss Anthony "Fat Tony" D'Amico. He insists on voicing the character every time he appears, no matter how little dialogue he has. To quote Mantegna: "If Fat Tony sneezes, I want to be there." However, in one instance, Phil Hartman voiced Fat Tony in the episode "A Fish Called Selma".

Mantegna spoofed himself when he hosted Saturday Night Live for the 1990–1991 season in which he calmly began his monologue by saying he did not wish to be typecast from his gangster roles. A disappointed little boy and his father leave, as they mistakenly believed the host would be Joe Montana (the football player) due to the similar names. Mantegna then began speaking in a low, controlled voice to the little boy, telling him it was best to stay in the audience and respect his performance; he warned the boy that if he (Mantegna) made a call, then Montana would not play in his next game—an implication that Mantegna's true personality equaled his gangster roles.

In 2002, Mantegna starred as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Justice Joseph Novelli, on the CBS midseason replacement drama First Monday.[15]

Mantegna received the Lifetime Achievement Award on April 26, 2004, at the Los Angeles Italian Film Festival.[16]

On August 11, 2007, Mantegna signed on to replace departing star Mandy Patinkin on the CBS crime drama Criminal Minds.[17][18] Starting with season 9, he also directed several episodes.

Mantegna is very close with all his co-stars on Criminal Minds but is especially close with Shemar Moore. He is said to act like a father figure for Moore.[12]

Since 2006, he has co-narrated the National Memorial Day Concert on the Mall in Washington D.C., with Gary Sinise.[19]

In 2016, he took part in an event at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art reading some of Gabriele Tinti's poems about Hercules.[20][21]

Mantegna is said to have helped Verne Troyer get into the industry and presented him with the Media Access Award before his death.[12]

Legacy edit

On April 29, 2011, Mantegna received the 2,438th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.[22] On June 6, 2011, Mantegna's hometown of Cicero, Illinois celebrated his body of work with an honorary street sign—Joe Mantegna Boulevard—on the northeast corner of Austin Boulevard and 25th Street, the location of his high school.[23] In 2014, Mantegna received a star on the Italian Walk of Fame in Toronto.[24] On May 3, 2017, the city of Chicago dedicated Joe Mantegna Way, a section of Armitage Avenue where Mantegna lived during his early acting days.[25]

On April 4, 2015, Mantegna received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Film and Television from The Riverside International Film Festival.[26] On May 22, 2015, Mantegna received the Saint Pio Award from the Saint Pio Foundation, in recognition of his outstanding contribution in being an extraordinary individual in "providing relief from suffering to those in need".

An avid firearms enthusiast, he is the host of MidwayUSA's Gun Stories on the cable television Outdoor Channel.[27]

Personal life edit

Mantegna married Arlene Vrhel on October 3, 1975. He said in an interview on The Talk that the 300th episode of Criminal Minds aired on October 3, 2018, their 43rd wedding anniversary, and he apologized during that interview for working on their anniversary.[citation needed]

They have two daughters: Mia and Gia. Arlene owned a Chicago-themed restaurant in Burbank, California, named Taste Chicago, which closed on March 22, 2019, for personal reasons.[28] Mia, born 1987, is autistic[29] and works as a make-up artist.[30][31] She has also appeared with her father on KCAL-TV in support of Autism Awareness Month (April). Gina was born in 1990 and changed her name to Gia at age eighteen.[29]

Mantegna is a Chicago Cubs fan and has led the singing of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch multiple times.[32][33] This was referenced in the show Criminal Minds where his character David Rossi's office is decked with Cubs gear.

In 1988, during the play Speed the Plow, Mantegna was stricken with Bell's Palsy. Although considered temporary,[34] Mantegna still has persistent facial characteristics of the disease.[1]

Filmography edit

Film edit

YearTitleRoleNotes
1977Medusa ChallengerJoe
1978TowingChris
A Steady RainN/A
1979To Be AnnouncedN/A
1980XanaduThe MusesScenes deleted[citation needed]
1983Second ThoughtsOrderly
1985Compromising PositionsBruce Fleckstein
1986The Money PitArt Shirk
Off BeatPete Peterson
Three AmigosHarry Flugleman
1987Critical ConditionArthur Chambers
House of GamesMike
WeedsCarmine
SuspectCharlie Stella
1988Things ChangeJerry
1989Wait Until Spring, BandiniBandini
1990The Godfather Part IIIJoey Zasa
AliceJoe
1991Queens LogicAl
HomicideBobby Gold
BugsyGeorge Raft
1993Body of EvidenceRobert Garrett
Family PrayersMartin Jacobs
Searching for Bobby FischerFred Waitzkin
1994Baby's Day OutEddie
AirheadsIan
1995Captain Nuke and the Bomber BoysJoey Franelli
For Better or WorseStone
Forget ParisAndy
Above SuspicionAlan Rhinehart
1996Eye for an EyeDet. Sgt. Denillo
Up Close & PersonalBucky Terranova
UnderworldFrank Gavilan / Frank Cassady / Richard Essex
Albino AlligatorA.T.F. Agent G.D. Browning
ThinnerRichie Ginelli
Persons UnknownJim Holland
1998Jerry and TomTom
The Wonderful Ice Cream SuitGomez
For HireAlan Webber
HoodsAngelo Martinelli
CelebrityTony Gardella
Boy Meets GirlIl Magnifico
1999AirspeedRaymond Stone
Error in JudgmentEric
The RunnerRocco
Liberty HeightsNate Kurtzman
2000LakeboatGuy at GateUncredited[citation needed]
Body and SoulAlex Dumas
More Dogs Than BonesDesalvo
The Last ProducerTBA
2001Fall: The Price of SilenceAgent Jim Danaher
The Trumpet of the SwanMontyVoice role
LagunaNicola Pianon
Off KeyRicardo Palacios
Turbulence 3: Heavy MetalFrank Garner
2002Mother GhostJerry
2003Uncle NinoRobert Micelli
2004First FlightRobert SloanVoice role
StatesideGil Deloach
Pontormo: A Heretical LovePontormo
A Very Married ChristmasFrank Griffin
2005Nine LivesRichard
EdmondMan in Bar
The Kid & IDavis Roman
2007Elvis and AnabelleCharlie
Naked FearSheriff Tom Benike
Cougar ClubMr. Stack
Stories USAMike (segment "Club Soda")
The Simpsons MovieFat TonyVoice role
2008Hank and MikeMr. Pan
West of BrooklynGaetano D'Amico
Witless ProtectionDr. Rondog 'Doc' Savage
RedbeltJerry Weiss
ChildlessRichard
Who's Wagging Who?RudyVoice role
Justice League: The New FrontierCroonerVoice role
The Last Hit ManHarry Tremayne
2009Lonely StreetJerry Finkelman
Archie's Final ProjectIndian Psychiatrist
The AssistantsGary Greene
The House That Jack BuiltJack Sr.
2010Pop ShockBilly
Valentine's DayAngry Driver
HoodsAngelo 'Ange' Martinelli
2011Cars 2GremVoice role
Sacks WestN/AShort film
The Yule Tide Good SamaritanTim O'Neill
2013CompulsionDetective Reynolds
201410 Cent PistolPunchy
AirBurst: The Soda of DoomMM-CiVoice role
2015Kill Me, DeadlyBugsy Siegel
2016The Bronx BullRick Rosselli
2020Rolling ThunderJoe[35]

Television edit

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979ElvisJoe EspositoTelevision film
1979Bleacher BumsDeckerTelevision film
1980–1981SoapJuan OneRecurring role, 7 episodes
1981It's a LivingLouis AllenEpisode: "Of Mace and Men"
1981Bosom BuddiesThe ShiekEpisode: "The Road To Monte Carlo"
1981–1982Open All NightChange / ArabEpisodes: "Night Moves", "Centerfold", "A Visit from the Folks"
1982The Greatest American HeroJuanEpisode: "Now You See It"
1982Archie Bunker's PlaceJoe GarverEpisode: "Of Mice and Bunker"
1982Simon & SimonHenryEpisode: "Emeralds Are Not a Girl's Best Friend"
1984Comedy ZoneVarious2 episodes
1984The OutlawsYuriTelevision film
1985Big Shots in AmericaJovan Joey ShagulaTelevision film
1987The Twilight ZoneHarry DobbsEpisode: "Shelter Skelter"
1991Saturday Night LiveHostEpisode: "Joe Mantegna/Vanilla Ice"
1991–presentThe SimpsonsFat Tony / Fit Tony / Fat-Fit TonyRecurring voice role; 39 episodes
1992The Comrades of SummerSparky SmithTelevision film
1992The Water EngineLawrence ObermanTelevision film
1993Fallen AngelsCarl StreeterEpisode: "The Quiet Room"
1993FrasierDerek MannVoice role; episode: "I Hate Frasier Crane"
1994State of EmergencyDr. John NovelliTelevision film
1995Favorite Deadly SinsFrank MussoTelevision film
1997DuckmanRube RichterVoice role; episode: "A Star is Abhorred", "Love! Anger! Kvetching!"
1997RugratsJack MontelloVoice role; episode: "Looking for Jack"
1997A Call to RememberDavis TobiasTelevision film
1997Face DownBob SignorelliTelevision film
1997Merry Christmas, George BaileyJoseph/NickTelevision film
1997The Last DonPippi De LenaMiniseries
1998The Great Empire: RomeNarratorTelevision film
1998The Rat PackDean MartinTelevision film
1999Spenser: Small VicesSpenserTelevision film
1999My Little AssassinFidel CastroTelevision film
2000Thin AirSpenserTelevision film
2001The SopranosMercedes ad voiceoverEpisode: "He Is Risen"; uncredited[citation needed]
2001Walking ShadowSpenserTelevision film
2002First MondayJustice Joseph NovelliMain role
2002Women vs. MenMichaelTelevision film
2002And Thou Shalt HonorHost/NarratorTelevision film
2002Inside NYPD Blue : A Decade On The JobHost/NarratorTelevision documentary
2003–2005Joan of ArcadiaWill GirardiMain role
2006Let GoJack RossatiUnsold television pilot
2006Kim PossibleJimmy BlamhammerVoice role; episode: "And the Mole Rat Will Be CGI"
2007–2008The Starter WifeLou ManahanRecurring role, 8 episodes
2007–2020Criminal MindsDavid RossiMain role
2011The War of 1812NarratorPBS Documentary
2011–2016Gun StoriesHimselfHost
2016–2017Criminal Minds: Beyond BordersDavid RossiSpecial guest; episodes: "The Harmful One", "II Mostro"
2017Hell's Kitchen: All-StarsHimselfEpisode: "Raising the Bar"
2022As We See ItLou HoffmanMain role
2022BarryHimselfEpisodes: "all the sauces", "crazytimesh*tshow"
2022Criminal Minds: EvolutionDavid RossiMain role

As a director edit

Year(s)TitleNotes
2000LakeboatDrama
2011QuickBitesEpisodes: "Faceless", "Sack Lunch"
2014–2020Criminal MindsEpisodes: "The Road Home", "Anonymous", "Til Death Do Us Part", "The Sandman", "Mirror Image", "True North", "False Flag", "The Dance of Love", "Luke"

Theater edit

YearTitleRoleNotes
1969HairPerformer
1978WorkingEmilio Hernandez / Dave McCormick
1984–1985Glengarry Glen RossRichard Roma
1988Speed-the-PlowBobby Gould

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b McKenna, Kristine (October 28, 1988). "Things Changing in the Acting Character of Joe Mantegna". Los Angeles Times. Mantegna's career took a major leap forward in 1974 when he met David Mamet. Hailed as one of the great playwrights of the modern era, Mamet saw Mantegna as the ideal vehicle for his work, partly because they had markedly similar backgrounds.
  2. ^ "Joe Mantegna - National Memorial Day Concert - PBS". www.pbs.org. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  3. ^ Ryan, Maureen (October 30, 2007). "Joe Mantegna Replaces Mandy Patinkin in "Criminal Minds" 8 p.m. Wed. CBS". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 4, 2009. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  4. ^ "Death Notices: Mantegna". Chicago Tribune. April 9, 2017.
  5. ^ "Joe Mantegna Biography". Filmreference. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  6. ^ "CiaoDC.com Interview with Award-Winning Actor, Joe Mantegna" (PDF). CiaoDC. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 27, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  7. ^ "Joe Mantegna". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  8. ^ Sanello, Frank (October 6, 1991). "Casting change With thanks to David Mamet, actor Joe Mantegna is his own man". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  9. ^ "Life's been lucky for Joe Mantegna — and us - South Southwest".
  10. ^ "Joe Mantegna". BuddyTV. Archived from the original on September 22, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  11. ^ Kelly, Liz (May 25, 2007). "Catching Up with Joe Mantegna". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c "Joe Mantegna Revisit". Ability. August 8, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  13. ^ Rabin, Nathan (April 21, 2009). "Joe Mantegna". A.V. Club. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  14. ^ "Joe Mantegna". National Memorial Day Concert. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  15. ^ "Joe Mantegna". TV Guide. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  16. ^ Welsh, James M.; Phillips, Gene D.; Hill, Rodney F. (2010). The Francis Ford Coppola Encyclopedia. Scarecrow Press. p. 171. ISBN 978-0-8108-7650-7.
  17. ^ Walton, Dawnie (August 11, 2008). "Mantegna Joins 'Criminal Minds'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  18. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (August 11, 2007). "Criminal Minds Trades Inigo Montoya for Joe Mantegna". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 13, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  19. ^ "Co-Hosts Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise". PBS. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  20. ^ "Event—Hercules: Dramatic Reading of Gabriele Tinti's poem by Joe Mantegna". Los Angeles County Museum of Art. June 2, 2016. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ "Il protagonista è Ercole. Joe Mantegna, LACMA e Gabriele Tinti, gli ingredienti" [The protagonist is Hercules. Joe Mantegna, LACMA and Gabriele Tinti, the ingredients]. Rai Cultura (in Italian). Archived from the original on March 26, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  22. ^ "Chicago Actor Joe Mantegna Honored with a Star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame". aChicagoThing. April 27, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  23. ^ "12 Things You Didn't Know About Joe Mantegna". CBS. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  24. ^ "Inductees 2014". Italian Walk of Fame.
  25. ^ "Actor Joe Mantegna To Get Stretch Of Armitage Named For Him Wednesday". DNAinfo Chicago. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017.
  26. ^ "Riverside International Film Festival includes movie filmed at Edwards Mansion in Redlands". Redlands Daily Facts. April 2, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  27. ^ "Meet the Host". Outdoor Channel. December 6, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  28. ^ "Authentic Chicago Style Italian food in California!". Taste Chicago. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  29. ^ a b "Joe Mantegna – When Life Flips the Script". Ability. July 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  30. ^ Emory, Margaret (September 2, 2018). "A Father's Love: Actor Joe Mantegna on his Daughter's Autism". BrainWorld.
  31. ^ "Celebrities Lend Helping Hand to The Help Group Gala Honoring Disney-ABC's Sweeney and Family; $850,000 Raised for Special Needs Children" (Press release). Mickey News. Archived from the original on July 20, 2006. writing "James Denton ... applauded hosts of the organization's autism awareness public service announcements, including celebrity parents of children with autism, Ed Asner, Gary Cole, Joe Mantegna, and John Schneider.
  32. ^ "Joe Mantegna explains the unusual origins of his 'Criminal Minds' character". Chicago Tribune. October 30, 2007. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  33. ^ "Cubs to tweak guest-singer rules". ESPN. Associated Press. February 27, 2013.
  34. ^ Bell's Palsey. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved 2018-07-02
  35. ^ LePire, Bobby (July 30, 2020). "Rolling Thunder". Film Threat. Retrieved April 25, 2023.

External links edit