Joe Mantegnais an award-winning entertainer with a longtime career in show business, spanning television, film and theater.
Check out what he had to say after the jump.
JOE MANTEGNA: Well, its a dream come true, is what that is.
Its what you look for.
I spent many years traveling to do movies or theater, or whatever it was.
But, the trick is to find that.
So, I look at it as a real blessing to be in that position.
Sometimes things work out.
MANTEGNA: At this point, I have very little self-doubt.
Ive been doing this for almost 50 years now, professionally.
If it works, it works.
If it doesnt, it doesnt.
And on we go.
So, I feel like I belong.
Obviously, Im not perfect for everything you write.
That doesnt always work out, and thats just the way of the world.
Not everybody is going to have the same feelings or tastes.
You go in with all best intentions.
Sometimes you could be more realistic and say to yourself, Who am I kidding?
I knew, going on, that this didnt have much going for it.
Other times, you think, I really hope this goes.
And sometimes you get surprised.
Sometimes what you think is not going to happen, happens.
Sometimes its the opposite.
Theres no logic to it.
What was it like to direct an episode ofCriminal Minds?
Do you find it more difficult to direct your friends and co-stars, or to direct yourself?
MANTEGNA: I dont think its any more difficult to do either.
Ive been around the block enough times that I know the process pretty well.
Its just an extension of what you wind up doing anyway.
Ive been on the show seven years, and you have a real strong familiarity after awhile.
Its just a matter of being comfortable in the environment, which I am.
Its still very demanding, though.
Thats why I only agreed to do one per season, which is plenty for me.
Im the veteran of the group.
Im going to let the boys run with that.
People have come and gone on the show, sometimes while their character is still alive and sometimes not.
Have you thought about whether youd leave the show before its done?
MANTEGNA: Id probably lean more towards the island thing, myself.
And then, there was the tragedy of Rossi.
I would rather represent them.
I was able to do it.
Now, Im done.
Personally, I hope that doesnt happen for a good while yet.
Ive still got things to do, and shows to make.
MANTEGNA: No, I didnt.
I had a lot of military in my family, but everybody came back.
So for us, that holiday fell in with the 4thof July and a lot of other holidays.
We were like, Hey, its a three-day weekend.
Its taken on that kind of meaning for me, and made that kind of impact.
No, I didnt expect it, but it happened.
Thats why, with the concert that we do, I encourage people to watch.
Its a three-day weekend.
Take even 15 minutes and just check into our concert on PBS.
If you watch for even 15 minutes, youll get an idea of why we have this holiday.
And if you watch the whole show, within that 90-minute program we do these dramatic readings.
Its not a feel-good, smile-on-your-face program, for the most part, like a 4thof July celebration.
Its very reflective and its a tear-jerker, at times.
Its also very uplifting in portions of it, and its positive, in the sense that were celebrating.
Its a holiday to celebrate dead people, but thank god that they made the sacrifice.
I think its important.
Whats it been like to partner with Gary Sinise and share the whole experience with him, every year?
MANTEGNA: I brought him into it.
This will be my 13thyear doing it, and I think its going to be Garys 9thor 10th.
I had already done it for three years when I mentioned him to the producers.
Then, Ossie passed and they asked if I would be the host.
I have such respect and love for Gary, anyway.
He went through the same thing that I did.
I said, How about co-hosting it with me?
They asked me to be the host, but Ossie Davis shoes are pretty big to fill.
Why dont we just do it together?
He said, Im in!
So, we ve been doing it together, ever since.
I walk in his shadow, in terms of supporting our military.
I do things, and I do my best.
Its my hot button.
Thats just the truth.
You recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
MANTEGNA: It just makes you feel old.
I like to think I have more to go.
It seems like I do, and thats fine.
But, it also is a wake-up call.
You go, Wow, I guess I have been around awhile and done a lot of things.
Its very nice of them to acknowledge that.
Im 66 years old.
You have to be realistic.
They say, Well, Im retired.
I can play with my grandchildren and sit on the beach.
But, those things havent crossed my mind.
I have no grandchildren yet, and I have no plans for retiring.
But, I appreciate that.
Its a lovely event, and it was wonderful.
So, its a combination of both of those things.
TheNational Memorial Day Concertairs on PBS on Sunday, May 25th.Criminal Mindswill return to CBS in the Fall.
