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Who Is Arlene Vrhel? Everything to Know About Joe Mantegna’s Wife

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5 days ago

August 29, 2026

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Who Is Arlene Vrhel? Everything to Know About Joe Mantegna’s Wife

Arlene Vrhel is the wife of actor Joe Mantegna. Joe is famous for playing David Rossi in Criminal Minds. Arlene knew Joe long before he became a big TV and movie star.

Their love story started when they were young. Theater brought them close. They started dating in 1969 and married in 1975. In 2026 they have been married for more than 50 years.

Arlene also made her own path. She became a mother and restaurant owner. Her life has many sweet stories about love and family. Here we will learn how her long journey with Joe began.

Who Is Arlene Vrhel?

Arlene Vrhel is an American former performer and restaurant owner. Most people know her as Joe Mantegna’s wife. She has been part of his life since long before he became famous.

Arlene likes to keep her life private. She does not spend much time in the spotlight. Still she has joined Joe at many public events. Fans often see them smiling together in photos.

Arlene also had her own business. She owned a restaurant called Taste Chicago in Burbank California. The restaurant served food inspired by Chicago. It became an important part of her life for many years.

Arlene Vrhel’s Early Life

Arlene Vrhel was reportedly born on August 20 1949. Some reports say her birthplace was New York. However much of her younger life was linked with the Chicago area in Illinois.

She went to Morton West High School in Berwyn Illinois. Arlene enjoyed acting when she was young. She took part in school plays. This love of theater later helped bring Joe into her life.

Not much is known about her parents or siblings. Arlene has kept these details private. She never tried to become famous because of Joe. She has always enjoyed living a more quiet life.

How Arlene Vrhel Met Joe Mantegna

Arlene and Joe first knew each other during their high school years. Joe went to Morton East High School. Arlene went to Morton West. Their schools worked together on theater shows.

Both young stars enjoyed acting. Joe had lead parts in some school plays. Arlene also had roles in the shows. They became friends but they did not start dating at that time.

Their lives went in different ways for a short time. Then theater brought them together again. What started with simple school plays would later grow into a love story lasting more than five decades.

How Arlene Vrhel and Joe Fell in Love

In 1969 Arlene Vrhel and Joe got a special chance. They were both picked to work in the musical Hair. This was an important early theater job for the young couple.

Working together helped them become closer. Their friendship slowly changed into love. Joe was not famous at this time. He was simply a young actor with big hopes for his future.

Arlene loved Joe before the fame and money came. They spent their early years around theater friends. They enjoyed a simple life together while trying to find their own place in the world.

Arlene Vrhel and Joe Mantegna’s Marriage

Arlene Vrhel and Joe dated for about six years. They married in 1975. Their marriage has lasted for more than 50 years. Their long love story is one reason people enjoy learning about them.

There is also a sweet story from before their wedding. Reports say Joe and Arlene shared simple vows at the top of the Eiffel Tower. They officially became husband and wife later in 1975.

Joe was still building his acting career when they married. Arlene stayed with him as his career slowly grew. She saw him move from theater work to famous movie and television roles.

How Arlene Vrhel Supported Joe Before Fame

Joe did not become famous right away. Finding good acting jobs took time. Some years were not easy for him. Arlene stayed close and helped Joe keep going when his career was still growing.

Joe once had trouble with his lines during a theater show. He was upset about what happened. During the break Arlene hugged him and helped him feel better. Joe returned and finished the show.

Arlene also cooked large meals for their theater friends. Their home was often filled with people and food. Her love of cooking later gave her a new idea that would become an important part of her career.

Arlene Vrhel’s Life as a Mother

Arlene and Joe became parents to two daughters. Their names are Mia Mantegna and Gia Mantegna. Family became a very important part of Arlene’s life as Joe’s acting career continued to grow.

Their first daughter Mia was born in 1987. She arrived early and had health problems as a baby. This was a hard time for the family. Arlene and Joe worked together to care for her.

Gia was born in 1990. She grew very close to her older sister. Arlene helped raise both girls while Joe worked as an actor.

Arlene Vrhel and Daughter Mia Mantegna

Mia Mantegna is the first daughter of Arlene Vrhel and Joe Mantegna. She was born in 1987. Mia came about three months early. Her early birth made the first months of her life hard for the whole family.

Mia was later diagnosed with autism when she was young. Arlene and Joe had to learn what Mia needed. They gave her love and care as she grew. Joe has also spoken in public about their family story.

Mia grew into an adult with her own skills and interests. She has done creative work and has helped with family projects. Arlene and Joe have always been proud of both daughters and their different paths in life.

Arlene Vrhel and Daughter Gia Mantegna

Arlene and Joe welcomed their second daughter on April 17 1990. Her name is Gia Mantegna. She was first known as Gina and later used Gia as her professional name. She grew up very close to Mia.

Gia enjoyed many things as a child. She learned dance and gymnastics. She also played musical instruments. As she got older she became interested in acting and chose to follow a path much like her famous father.

Gia started acting when she was young. She appeared with Joe in Uncle Nino. She later worked in movies and TV shows such as The Middle and Criminal Minds. In 2011 she was also named Miss Golden Globe.

Arlene Vrhel and Taste Chicago

Cooking had always been part of Arlene Vrhel’s life. During Joe’s early theater years she often made food for friends. She enjoyed making large meals. Her home was often a place where friends could eat and spend time together.

That love of food later became a business idea. In 2003 Arlene opened Taste Chicago in Burbank California. The restaurant was made for people who loved the famous food and warm feeling of Chicago.

Taste Chicago served many well-known dishes. People could enjoy Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. Deep dish pizza was another favorite. The restaurant gave Arlene a career that was separate from Joe’s work in Hollywood.

What Happened to Arlene Vrhel’s Restaurant?

Taste Chicago stayed open for about 16 years. It became a special place for Arlene and her family. The walls and food showed their love for Chicago even though they were now living in California.

The business was also a family project. Arlene worked hard to make the restaurant feel friendly. Her daughters helped in different ways too. This made Taste Chicago more than a place to eat. It became part of the family story.

Taste Chicago closed in March 2019. Some websites have made claims about why it closed. However there is no need to guess about private business matters. What is clear is that Arlene ran the restaurant for many years.

Arlene Vrhel’s Net Worth and Private Life

Many readers want to know about Arlene Vrhel’s net worth. Some websites place it between $200000 and $500000. These numbers are only online guesses. Arlene has never shared her true wealth with the public.

Her restaurant was one known source of her work and income. Taste Chicago ran for many years. Joe also built a successful acting career. Still it would not be fair to count Joe’s money as Arlene’s own net worth.

Arlene also keeps her personal life quiet. She does not have a well-known public social media page. She sometimes joins Joe at public events. Most of the time she seems happy to stay away from Hollywood attention.

Where Is Arlene Vrhel Now?

In 2026 Arlene Vrhel remains best known for her long marriage to Joe Mantegna. The couple have now been married for more than 50 years. They reached their 50th year of marriage in 2025.

Taste Chicago is no longer open. Arlene has not announced another large restaurant project. She appears to enjoy a quieter life today. She still joins Joe at some events but does not seek fame for herself.

Joe remains active in acting. His role as David Rossi has kept him closely linked with Criminal Minds. Through all these years Arlene has remained an important person in his life and in their close family.

Final Thoughts

Hollywood marriages can face many tests. Busy work days and long trips can make family life hard. Yet Arlene Vrhel and Joe have stayed together through more than five decades of change.

Their story started before money and fame. Arlene knew Joe when he was a young theater actor. She was there during hard career days. She was also there when his work finally brought him major success.

Joe has often shown how much family means to him. Arlene has shared the long journey with him. Their story is not about being perfect. It is about growing together through work and family life.