Joe Mantegna & His Wife Made It to 54 Years & Became Even Stronger Taking Care of Autistic Daughter

• Joe Mantegna and his wife have been going strong in their relationship for a whopping 54 years.
• The couple began their sweet journey together, overcoming sorrows and celebrating moments of happiness.
• When the pair discovered that their eldest daughter had autism, they had two choices: give up on her or keep fighting; they chose the latter.

Joe Mantegna, born November 13, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., is a highly accomplished American actor, producer, writer, and director. With over 200 film and television appearances, he is widely recognized for his memorable role as Joey Zasa in the acclaimed 1990 film "The Godfather Part III" alongside Al Pacino and Andy Garcia.

Joe's Italian heritage and passion for acting led him to pursue a degree in acting from the Goodman School of Drama. He has maintained a fruitful collaboration with playwright-turned-screenwriter-director David Mamet and currently stars as Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi in the long-running TV series "Criminal Minds."

During their high school years, Joe crossed paths with Arlene Mantegna, and their connection blossomed when they coincidentally landed roles in a production of "Hair" in Chicago in 1969. Their relationship was characterized by carefree enjoyment, but they chose not to rush into marriage due to their shared hippie lifestyle.

At the same time, he also became resolute in discovering more about autism.

Arlene, who worked as a waitress, was embraced by Joe without any reservations or concerns about her profession. Finally, in 1975, they formalized their commitment, tying the knot a few weeks after privately exchanging informal vows at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

In 1986, Arlene experienced a seemingly uncomplicated pregnancy until she noticed a decrease in the baby's movement. Concerned, she sought medical attention and was diagnosed with an infection in the umbilical cord.

To ensure the baby's safety, doctors decided to deliver her three months prematurely. On June 5, 1987, Mia Mantegna was born, weighing a mere one lb., 15 oz., making her one of the smallest babies born in California that year.

As Joe walked out of the operating room, his tired appearance betrayed the emotional toll he had endured. Despite the shock of seeing his fragile baby girl, Joe maintained a positive outlook, firmly believing that Mia would thrive. This marked the beginning of the couple's remarkable journey together.

Learning about Their Daughter's Diagnosis & Taking Care of Her

Joe, known for his tough-guy roles, faced a different challenge as the father of Mia, his autistic daughter. According to him, Mia's unique behaviors, like grabbing binoculars from a stranger or singing in a grocery store, simultaneously amused and perplexed onlookers. Still, he proudly embraced Mia's autism and remained unfazed by judgment.

Joe and Arlene reportedly learned about Mia's diagnosis when they were living in New York City in 1990. At the time, the two and a half years old girl had varied speech patterns from other kids her age, prompting her parents to consult the doctor.

Mia's diagnosis brought mixed emotions as Joe and Arlene adjusted their lives to support her. They provided her with a nurturing environment, enrolling her in a specialized school for speech therapy and music lessons. Mia's exceptional musical talent, including perfect pitch, was her outlet for self-expression.

In 2012, Mia interviewed her father, asking him about her autism and how much he knew about it. Joe said he was initially unfamiliar with the condition but made it his life's mission to understand and support Mia throughout her journey.

Besides being in his daughter's corner, the "Barry" alum actively raises awareness and funds for autism research, supporting organizations like the National Alliance for Autism Research.

His commitment to family led him to prioritize their presence during his demanding film career, allowing Mia and her younger sister, Gia, to experience diverse cultures and therapies. But as the girls desired stability, Joe adjusted his career, fostering a balanced family life through his TV show, "Criminal Minds."

In a segment of the show "Autism Live" in 2019, Joe shared his experience raising a daughter with autism. He recalled being interviewed by a famous media house where the reporter asked if he was open to discussing Mia and her condition.

Instead of passing the question and telling the interviewer not to ask him personal questions, Joe proudly talked about Mia and his journey thus far. Later, the "Rolling Thunder" actor said a fan wrote to him about the interview and thanked him for being a voice for many other families with autistic individuals.

Joe delightfully proclaimed that after reading his fan's email and learning how much his interview helped someone, he vowed never to hide his daughter from the world. At the same time, he also became resolute in discovering more about autism.

Grateful for his blessings, Joe and his wife face Mia's autism with resilience and gratitude. Over the years, the megastar has embraced his role as a dedicated father, providing his baby girl with love, support, and the necessary tools to navigate life.

A Brief Look At Mantegna's Happy Family Life Today

Mia has continued to thrive through the years with her parents' unswerving support. In the past, she worked one day a week as a bookkeeper in the family restaurant, "Taste of Chicago," in Burbank, California, demonstrating her proficiency in numbers and computer skills.

Additionally, she dedicated the rest of her time to working as a makeup artist for "Inclusion Films," a production company that conducted practical workshops for adults with developmental disabilities. Led by Joey Travolta, a former special-education teacher and the brother of actor John Travolta, the company aimed to empower individuals with disabilities.

As Joe speaks about Mia, it's evident that she has taught him and her family how to understand and embrace autism with profound intimacy and love. By exposing Mia to various social environments instead of keeping her hidden away, the family hoped to inspire others to adapt and accommodate autism.

Through her experiences, Mia learned to navigate the world and became an agent of change, potentially influencing others to better understand and adapt to autism.

In an interview from March 2023, Joe opened up about his daughter's journey with autism. Describing her as wonderful, he shared that she is pursuing art and possesses a remarkable talent akin to renowned artists such as Renoir or Gauguin. Despite being 36 years old, she retains a childlike spirit.

When asked about the secret to his enduring marriage to his "beautiful" wife of 54 years, Joe likened it to a roller coaster ride. He emphasized the importance of holding on during the challenging twists and turns that come along the way. The couple found that the ride eventually smoothed out by weathering those difficult moments together, leading to a more fulfilling journey.

With a prosperous acting career and his loving wife beside him, Joe has nothing but appreciation and support for his daughters, Mia and Gia. He also deems himself fortunate for being Mia's dad and witnessing her evolve into a confident, bright, and lively woman who isn't afraid to be herself.

We wish the Mantegna family all the love and joy their hearts can take, and we're sure they will continue to create many precious memories together!