‘It Hit My Wife and Me like a Ton of Bricks’: Meet Joe Mantegna’s 2 Daughters, One of Whom Has Autism

While his eldest faced early health struggles, his second child became her sister’s protector. Take a closer look at the actor’s long-lasting marriage and how both of his daughters have since gone on to carve their own paths and make their father proud.

A Hollywood Legend and a Lasting Love Story

Joe’s path to acting began with a high school dare in 1963. A friend challenged him to try out for “West Side Story” at Morton East High, and while didn’t get the role, he found a thrill in performing that changed his life.

After high school, he joined a rock band called the Apocryphals, sharing the Chicago music scene with bands like the future rock group Chicago.

But it was in theater that Joe found both his calling and his partner, Arlene Vrhel. They met in 1969 when both were cast in a local production of “Hair.” Friendship turned to romance, and they began a journey together that would span more than fifty years.

Joe and Arlene didn’t rush into marriage, living as free spirits for nearly a decade before officially tying the knot in 1975. “We just had a lot of fun, but we didn’t get married for the longest time because we were hippies,” Arlene revealed.

Just weeks before their wedding, the couple exchanged private vows at the Eiffel Tower. In 2023, the former “Criminal Minds” star, who celebrated his 77th birthday in October, was asked about the secret to his lasting marriage.

“The way I like to put it is that marriage is like being on a roller coaster,” He stated. “It’s fun, but then these scary turns happen. The trick is, at least for me, is that we hung on during those scary turns. Then things smoothed out again. For us, the ride keeps getting better and better.”

Mia’s Journey – Overcoming Early Struggles and Embracing Autism

On June 5, 1987, Joe and his wife welcomed their first daughter, Mia. Arlene’s pregnancy initially seemed smooth, but when she noticed a sudden drop in movement, doctors quickly diagnosed an umbilical cord infection, forcing an early delivery.

Mia arrived three months premature, weighing only one pound and 15 ounces, one of California’s smallest newborns that year. Joe recalled the shock of seeing his tiny daughter for the first time, feeling both overwhelmed and determined, saying, “Here’s our daughter, and she’ll be fine.”

In those early days, Mia’s health was fragile. She often stopped breathing, prompting the famous actor to replace their home’s white porch light with a red bulb to help ambulance drivers locate their house in case of emergencies.

Despite the constant health scares, Mia gradually grew stronger, and by age two, she appeared to be reaching new milestones. However, her parents began noticing differences in her development — Mia was not speaking, avoided eye contact, and often repeated phrases, a condition known as echolalia.

When she was diagnosed with autism, the news hit Joe and Arlene hard. “I remember it hit my wife and me like a ton of bricks, because, first of all, it was just a word we had heard about,” he said.

Autism was much less understood in the early ’90s, and Joe recalled, “You were afraid to walk in puddles and stuff because nobody even knew how you got it, and there was no cure for it. So it was a little like that.”

Determined to support Mia in every way possible, the Mantegnas enrolled her in a special education program and encouraged her musical gifts. Mia developed a nearly perfect sense of pitch, using music as her preferred form of expression.

Arlene often marveled at her daughter’s ability, noting that the little girl covered her ears if anyone sang off-key, a testament to her extraordinary talent. Over the years, Mia’s interests extended beyond music to makeup artistry, an area where she thrived.

Alongside her younger sister, Gia, Mia completed a professional makeup course, becoming the first autistic graduate of the Mudd School. Now, as a makeup artist for Inclusion Films, she continues to find purpose and joy in her work.

Reflecting on life with Mia, Joe shared that he could not imagine a world without her unique spirit, adding, “I don’t know what it’s like not to have a daughter with autism.”

Through every step, Joe, Arlene, and their family embraced Mia’s journey, grateful for each milestone she reached and hopeful for the future. “She’s wonderful. She’s pursuing her art. […] It’s quite incredible. She’s 36 years old but a child at heart,” the actor revealed in 2023.

Meet Gia Mantegna

Three years after Mia’s birth, Joe and Arlene welcomed their second daughter, Gia. From a young age, Gia showed a unique understanding of her sister’s needs and became Mia’s steadfast protector.

“Gia understood that her older sister was a lot different than the other kids,” Joe revealed. He recalled the pride he felt watching Gia take on the role of both sister and mentor, recognizing Mia’s differences with empathy beyond her years.

Mia’s autism taught Gia patience and compassion, shaping her perspective on life and relationships. Growing up alongside Mia gave the Mantegnas a clearer view of typical developmental milestones, helping them distinguish between what stemmed from Mia’s autism and what reflected her individuality.

Joe often said that Gia, in many ways, felt like an older sibling, developing a maturity that came from supporting Mia and guiding her in everyday life. Beyond her role as Mia’s sister, Gia pursued her own path, exploring both acting and real estate.

The “Criminal Minds” star admired his daughter’s tenacity, noting how she handled challenges with the same resilience she showed in supporting her sister. “She’s like the son I never had,” Joe remarked, impressed by her ability to tackle practical problems with confidence.

While Gia’s interest in acting seemed natural, Joe admitted he initially questioned whether his daughter truly had the talent or was merely influenced by his career. But as he observed her work, he realized that Gia had an innate ability that couldn’t be taught — a gift she could build upon.

“You can see the kids that have the kind of natural ability they can improve upon. And then there are the kids that, well, it’s not their cup of tea. Gia does have it. I’m not kidding myself because she’s my daughter,” he shared.

Arlene and Joe Mantegna’s journey as parents has been marked by both joy and resilience. Through the challenges of Mia’s autism and the growth of Gia’s compassion and talents, they’ve built a family grounded in support and love.