| David Rossi | |
|---|---|
| Criminal Minds character | |
.jpg) Joe Mantegna as David Rossi | |
| First appearance | "About Face" 3x06, October 31, 2007 (on Criminal Minds) "The Harmful One" 1x01, March 16, 2016 (on Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders) |
| Created by | Edward Allen Bernero |
| Portrayed by | Joe Mantegna (Original) Robert Dunne (Young) |
| Other appearances | Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders |
| In-universe information | |
| Nickname | Rossi, Dave, The Italian, Papa Pasta, Papa Rossi, Stallion the Italian |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | FBI BAU Supervisory Special Agent FBI BAU Former Unit Chief (replaced) |
| Occupation | FBI Special Agent USMC Sergeant Major (retired) |
| Family | Sal (uncle; deceased) Rosie (aunt; deceased) Kai Struthers (grandson) Shawn Struthers (son-in-law) Joy Rossi (daughter) |
| Spouse | Krystall Richards (wife; deceased) Hayden Montgomery (ex-wife; 1 daughter and 1 grandson) Carolyn Rossi (ex-wife; 1 son; deceased) |
| Children | James David Rossi (son, with Carolyn; deceased) Joy Struthers (daughter, with Hayden) Portia Richards (stepdaughter) |
| Nationality | Italian-American |
| Seasons | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 |
David Stephen Rossi is a fictional character in the CBS crime drama Criminal Minds, portrayed by Joe Mantegna. He is a Supervisory Special Agent in the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, and has appeared from the episode "About Face", which was originally broadcast on October 31, 2007, during the show's third season. He is also portrayed as a younger man by Robert Dunne, in flashbacks as a Marine infantry private in Vietnam in 1969 and in his earlier years with the BAU in 1978.
Rossi begins the series returning to the FBI after a lengthy period of being semi-retired, with his return due to "unfinished business". He is shown to be a close friend and colleague of Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), as they worked together during the early days of the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Rossi is also a writer and one of the team's senior and most decorated profilers. He replaced Jason Gideon, who was written out following Mandy Patinkin's abrupt departure from the series.
Mantegna has stated in an interview that the character was named after one of the policemen who had testified at the O. J. Simpson trial.[1][2] Rossi's middle name, Stephen, is revealed in a flashback near the end of the tenth season episode, "Nelson's Sparrow".
- ^ "Joe Mantegna". The A.V. Club. 2009-04-21. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ "Joe Mantegna explains the unusual origins of his 'Criminal Minds' character". Chicago Tribune. October 30, 2007. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2014.