‘It Hit Us Like a Ton of Bricks’: Joe Mantegna Gets Real About His Daughter’s Autism Journey

Joe Mantegna is best known for his role as Special Agent David Rossi on *Criminal Minds*, but off-screen, he is a dedicated father. He has two daughters, one of whom followed in his footsteps in acting, while the other faced health struggles from birth and was later diagnosed with autism.

Joe’s rise to fame came through his work on *Criminal Minds*, where he played the role of David Rossi. However, in his personal life, he is a loving husband and father. When he and his wife had their first daughter, it marked the start of a journey filled with both challenges and strong family connections.

Joe Mantegna, known for his role on Criminal Minds, is also a proud father of two daughters. His eldest daughter faced health struggles at birth, while his second daughter became a devoted protector of her sister. Here’s a look at Joe’s lasting marriage and how both daughters have grown and made their father proud.

Joe’s path to acting began in high school when a friend dared him to try out for West Side Story. Though he didn’t get the part, he discovered his passion for performing. After high school, Joe played in a rock band before finding his calling in theater. In 1969, he met Arlene Vrhel during a local production of Hair. Their friendship quickly grew into romance, and they stayed together for over fifty years. They didn’t rush to marry, enjoying their free-spirited lifestyle until they tied the knot in 1975. In a 2023 interview, Joe described marriage as a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs, but said their ride only keeps getting better.

Joe and Arlene welcomed their first daughter, Mia, in 1987. Mia’s birth was complicated; Arlene’s pregnancy seemed fine until doctors noticed a sudden drop in Mia’s movement, leading to a premature delivery. Mia was born three months early and weighed just under two pounds. Joe was shocked but stayed positive, saying, “She’ll be fine.” Mia’s early days were tough, with frequent health scares. Joe even changed their porch light to a red bulb so ambulances could find their house more easily in case of emergencies.

Mia gradually grew stronger, but by age two, Joe and Arlene noticed developmental delays. Mia wasn’t speaking, avoided eye contact, and often repeated phrases. After a diagnosis of autism, Joe and Arlene were devastated. Joe recalled, “It hit us like a ton of bricks,” remembering how little was understood about autism at the time. But they were determined to support Mia and enrolled her in special education programs, where she thrived, especially in music. Mia had a perfect sense of pitch and even covered her ears if someone sang off-key. Over the years, Mia’s talents expanded to makeup artistry, and she became the first autistic graduate of a professional makeup course.

Today, Mia works as a makeup artist for Inclusion Films, finding purpose and joy in her work. Joe reflects on how life with Mia has shaped his view of the world, saying he can’t imagine life without her unique spirit. He proudly shares that Mia is “wonderful” and is pursuing her art, while still being a child at heart.

Three years after Mia’s birth, Joe and Arlene welcomed their second daughter, Gia. From an early age, Gia understood her sister’s challenges and became Mia’s protector. Joe was proud of Gia’s maturity, noting that she was like an older sibling, helping Mia with everyday tasks. Gia’s role as Mia’s protector taught her patience and compassion, which shaped her outlook on life. While she always supported her sister, Gia also pursued her own interests in acting and real estate.

Joe was initially unsure about Gia’s interest in acting, questioning if she was influenced by his career. But he soon realized Gia had a natural talent for it. “You can see when kids have the ability to improve, and Gia has it,” Joe said. He admired how Gia handled challenges with the same resilience she showed in supporting her sister.

Through the challenges of Mia’s autism and Gia’s growth, Joe and Arlene have built a family filled with love and support. They continue to embrace every milestone Mia reaches and celebrate Gia’s accomplishments, proud of the women their daughters have become.