Criminal Minds: New Details About Joe Mantegna's Role

Joe Mantegna by John Shearer/WireImage.com

New cast member Joe Mantegna will make his first appearance on Criminal Minds in the fifth episode of the season, CBS has announced. "We are all thrilled to have Joe Mantegna joining our family," says executive producer Ed Bernero. "He's an incredible actor, a genuinely nice person and, as a fellow Chicagoan, I can tell you he makes fantastic Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs." (Patinkin, I hear, could barely turn out a decent grilled cheese.)

"We've been fans of Joe's since his early days on the stage. He will be a wonderful addition to our cast," adds executive producers Mark Gordon and Deb Spera.

Mantegna will play Special Agent Rossi, an original member of the Behavioral Analysis Unit who took early retirement to go on book tours, and has now volunteered to return. Someone lock the door behind him, 'K?

But wait, there's more! Mandy Patinkin is returning to Minds... under somewhat unusual circumstances. See the Ausiello Report for the exclusive (and rather juicy) details.

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Posted by

Matt Webb Mitovich

Aug 14, 2007 9:54 AM

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Someone lock the door behind him, 'K? No kidding! Joe's the BEST!
Posted by Katcon Aug 14, 2007 12:16 PM Report Abuse

You can't beat a classy guy like Joe Mantegna
Posted by tliette Aug 15, 2007 11:33 AM Report Abuse

Somehow I just can't blame the "Criminal Minds" cast and crew for refusing to work with Patinkin. Miss Mandy is a great performer and fine actor, but also has a bad, BAD case of Diva complex. His actions were selfish in the extreme; the only valid excuse he could ever give for just not showing up, with no warning, was to have died. I like Joe Mantegna; but can he fill "Jason Gideon's" shoes? I think -- I hope -- Mantegna is too smart, too professional even to attempt to imitate Patinkin's characterization; I believe he'll find his own character -- I just hope it creates as much intensity as Patinkin did, even in a different way. Acting is a craft and an art; Mantegna is a craftsman and artist, and is good at it; it just remains to be seen whether the character he creates rounds out the Criminal Minds team, both as actorsd and as characters. He -- and the show -- deserve a season to see how it works.

Posted by catfather

Aug 15, 2007 4:07 PM

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I have always loved all that Joe has done, especially the 3 or 4 Spenser movies. No matter what he does on this show, it will be a class act. But, no matter what also, the show will change because Potemkin's character and the way he played him made the inevitable a questionable thing, where Joe probably won't. Now i cannot wait for the season to start!!
Posted by Dantzr Aug 15, 2007 5:37 PM Report Abuse

Very cool! And other sources say that Mr. Toothpick will only be around for one episode. Yay!!! So long. Time to go ride into the sunset, or something. We'll leave that to the writers. At least Mantegna won't be portraying Gideon. I don't think I can take that character anymore. Season 3, here we come!
Posted by csi:nylover Aug 15, 2007 8:34 PM Report Abuse

I think that's great that Joe,Mantegna will be A new team player on Criminal Minds he will do A wonderful job for the show & for his new cast member's The show will be better than ever God Speed everyone.
Posted by twincitykc Aug 16, 2007 6:16 PM Report Abuse

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