Biography
Who is Joe Mantegna?
Early life and education
Born Joseph Anthony Mantegna in Chicago, he grew up in a household with Italian American parents. His father, Joseph Henry, worked in insurance, and his mother, Mary Ann, was a shipping clerk. He attended J. Sterling Morton High School East in Cicero, Illinois. During his youth, he played bass in a band called The Apocryphals, which had professional connections to the group that later formed the band Chicago.
Before finding success in acting, he worked as a photographer taking professional headshots. He later attended the Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago, though he left just before graduating in 1969. His early experiences in the Chicago area formed the foundation for his later work in the arts.
Stage and film career
The professional acting path of Joe Mantegna began on stage in 1969 with the Chicago production of the musical Hair. He later made his Broadway debut in the 1978 show Working. He became closely associated with the works of playwright David Mamet, appearing in the first American productions of Glengarry Glen Ross. This performance earned him a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. He also co-wrote the play Bleacher Bums and was part of its original cast.
His feature film debut arrived with Medusa Challenger in 1977. He gained recognition for roles in films like House of Games and Things Change, for which he received the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. Other well-known film appearances include Three Amigos, The Money Pit, and The Godfather Part III. He also directed the film version of the play Lakeboat.
Television success and voice work
He is widely recognized for playing FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi on the CBS crime drama Criminal Minds, a role he started in 2007. He has also directed several episodes of the series. Beyond live-action, he provides the voice for the recurring character Fat Tony on the animated series The Simpsons, starting in 1991.
His television resume includes starring roles in First Monday and Joan of Arcadia. He received Emmy Award nominations for his work in the miniseries The Last Don, The Rat Pack, and The Starter Wife. He has also narrated audiobook editions of the Spenser novels written by Robert B. Parker. Since 2006, he has served as co-narrator for the National Memorial Day Concert.
Personal life and interests
Joe married Arlene Vrhel in 1975. They share two daughters, Mia and Gia. Mia is an actress and make-up artist who has supported autism awareness, while Gia is also an actress. He is a dedicated fan of the Chicago Cubs and has led the singing of Take Me Out to the Ball Game at Wrigley Field.
During the run of the play Speed the Plow in 1988, he experienced a bout of Bell's palsy. In 2011, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He hosts a program called Gun Stories on the Outdoor Channel.
Birthday and age
Joe Mantegna was born on November 13, 1947, which makes Joe 78 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Joe shares the date with 25 other famous people.
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