Joe Mantegna Joins Criminal Minds

After an exhaustive search and numerous names being thrown around to replace Mandy Patinkin on Criminal Minds, TPTB nabbed Emmy nominee Joe Mantegna. Mantegna, who many of you will recognize from Joan of Arcadia and The Starter Wife, will play the role of FBI Special Agent David Rossi beginning with episode five this fall. According to CBS, "Agent Rossi is an original member of the Behavioral Analysis Unit who took early retirement to go on lecture and book tours, and has volunteered to return to the unit." CBS is thriiled to have Mantegna on board and issued the following statement to the press:

"We are all THRILLED to have Joe Mantegna joining our family. 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," said Executive Producer Ed Bernero.

Meanwhile, Michael Ausiello over at TV Guide reports that Mandy Patinkin has agreed to make a brief appearance in the October 3 episode to wrap-up his story.
^{(Photo of Joe Mantegna Copyright © 2007 NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. Photo: Paul A Broben)}