Legendary actor Joe Mantegna—renowned for The Godfather Part III, Criminal Minds, and his Tony-winning stage career—joins Scottsdale’s Celebrity Wine & Spirits Festival on March 15th. A true connoisseur, his passion for fine spirits makes him a perfect fit for this exclusive event.
In a one-on-one with media mogul Dave Pratt, Joe sipped, savored, and shared stories about The Godfather, Dean Martin, and his go-to drink.
Celebrities with whiskey, wine and more. For you, why tequila and what makes your brand so special?
Señor Rio is tequila in its purest form—no additives, sugars, or coloring, just a family recipe passed down for three generations. I’ve always found tequila unique since it comes from a plant. You can find Señor Rio in Total Wine stores nationwide, but for me, it’s best straight and chilled, sipped like a fine wine.
The founders of Señor Rio are from Gilbert, and now you're an owner. How did this come about?
My friend Jack Maxwell, host of Booze Traveler, traveled the world tasting drinks. When Debbie Medina shared that she had run Señor Rio with her late husband and needed a partner, Jack mentioned it to me. I was intrigued, we met, and I knew it was a venture worth pursuing.
Tell us about the We Care Crusade.
We Care Crusade, Señor Rio’s charitable wing, was inspired by Debbie’s grandchildren and my daughter with autism. While I can provide for her, many families struggle, so we pledged a portion of profits to support them.
Talk about your personal love for Arizona.
I’ve been hosting Gun Stories for about 15 years, which often takes us to Gunsight, Arizona. Growing up in the ’50s and ’60s on cowboy shows and westerns, I’ve always loved that old-school Americana feel. Being Italian, parts of Sicily actually remind me of Arizona’s landscape. The state’s natural beauty is incredible, and I’ve got a soft spot for Prescott—it’s a great throwback to the Old West. Plus, the fact that the Cubs do spring training in Arizona doesn’t hurt!
Speaking of Chicago, how are the Cubs gonna be this year?
I’m just grateful I was alive to see them win after 108 years! They finally did it for my mom when she turned 100—fitting, since they were already on an eight-year losing streak when she was born in 1915. I won’t be greedy, but I sure hope to see another championship… hopefully, much sooner than 108 years!
From Criminal Minds to The Godfather Part III, you have played both good guys and bad. Which is more fun?
If the role is good, it’s all fun. I’m lucky to make a living doing what kids dream of. Whether it’s Joey in The Godfather or Fat Tony on The Simpsons, they’re just different shades of the same world—and I love it all.
Congrats on nearly 20 years with Criminal Minds on CBS. What's it like on set?
The show may be dark, but the set is the opposite—that balance makes it work. We honor the real men and women in this job by bringing intensity, fear, and shock. But in the end, we’re just the pretend version, leaving room for fun. I can play an FBI agent, but I could never be one—which is why I have so much respect for them.
Being a huge Dean Martin fan, I gotta ask... what was it like playing him in the Rat Pack?
Well, Dave, being offered that role was a dream come true. I admired and respected him as a singer, actor, and personality, so portraying him was both exciting and intimidating. I did extensive research, got to know the Martin family, and gave it everything I had. It’s one of my top five roles, and the only one that earned me Emmy and Golden Globe nominations—proof, I hope, that I did Dean justice. With a great script, cast, and crew, it was truly a career highlight.
When voicing Fat Tony on The Simpsons, are you just given the lines or do you know the entire plot and humor while laying down the tracks?
They usually send the script ahead of time, so I know what’s coming. We often do full cast reads, which are a blast—it’s one of the rare times we’re all together. Sometimes, there’s even an invited audience, which makes it even more special. It’s a great way to celebrate a show that’s been going strong for over 35 years.
You also did voice work in Cars 2. Is doing voice characters challenging?
When I’m in front of the mic, I can’t help but get physical—it’s like the character takes over. It’s amazing to use my voice as an instrument, whether for animation, audiobooks, or commercials, without worrying about the visuals.
Charles Barkley and Tom Chambers will both be at the Celebrity Wine & Spirits Festival. Which would you rather play one-on-one?
I don’t wanna play anybody one-on-one. In a game to 20? There's a good chance it would be 20 to nothing.
From the world of pro wrestling, the Bella Twins will also be at the Festival. If Joe Mantegna was a pro wrestler, what would be your signature move?
I would name it The Tequila Slam. I'd take a nice shot glass of Señor Rio, sip it, and then lay on the mat and take a nap.
Celebrity Wine & Spirits will be held at Scottsdale Civic Center on March 15th, 2025