You can buy tequila from this ‘Criminal Minds’ star in Fort Worth this weekend
“Criminal Minds” star Joe Mantegna is trading his badge for a bottle of tequila this weekend in North Texas.
The 77-year-old actor will stop by several Total Wine & More stores across the Metroplex in support of Señor Rio, a tequila brand he co-owns. Co-founded by Jonathan and Debbie Medina Gach, the brand has been around since 2009 and Mantegna joined the company in 2023.
Mantegna said he hasn’t spent much time in Texas besides in San Antonio at Morgan’s Wonderland, which is the first-ever theme park designed for those with special needs. Mantegna’s daughter has autism and he is a supporter of the organization.
The Chicago native also said he has a soft spot for this region, since his father was from Oklahoma. It’s also a little warmer down here than up there.
“I love Chicago, but I never could quite handle the weather,” Mantegna said in a Zoom interview with the Star-Telegram. “I always feel a little more comfortable when I’m in a more temperate climate.”
Where will Joe Mantegna be in North Texas?
Mantegna has six planned stops around the Metroplex:
Friday, Sept. 19
- Allen: Noon-1 p.m. at 190 E. Stacy Road
- Dallas: 2-3 p.m. at 9350 N. Central Expressway
- Irving: 4-5 p.m. 7730 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Saturday, Sept. 20
- Arlington: Noon-1 p.m. at 981 W. Interstate 20
- Fort Worth: 2-3 p.m. at 5200 S. Hulen St.
- Euless: 4-5 p.m. at 2501 Rio Grande Blvd.
Mantegna said he’s looking forward to meeting fans, many of whom will likely recognize him from “Criminal Minds.”
Since season 3, Mantegna’s David Rossi has been a main player on the serial killer series. In fact, his first episode on the show was actually set in nearby Carrollton.
“That’s right, how about that,” Mantegna said. “I didn’t even realize that till you just said that.”
Mantegna said he just wrapped filming on season 19 of the show and hopes to return for another.
In the meantime, he’s looking forward to meeting fans, whether they’re supporters of “Criminal Minds,” “Airheads” or “The Godfather Part III.” He said it will also be nice if they take home a bottle of what he’s selling.
“It’s just fun to meet the fans from however reason they show up,” Mantegna said. “Even if somebody says, ‘Look, I don’t even know who you are, but I’m a tequila drinker. Let me try this.’ I go, ‘Great.’”
“Whatever it takes,” he said with a laugh.
