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Catching Up with Joe Mantegna
Joe Mantegna. (Courtesy PBS)
For Joe Mantegna, Memorial Day weekend means a bit of work. The actor -- best known for roles in "Godfather III," "Searching for Bobby Fischer," "Joan of Arcadia" and as the voice of mobster Fat Tony on "The Simpsons" -- is in town this weekend to co-host Sunday's National Memorial Day Concert for the sixth time. This year, Mantegna and Gary Sinise will preside over a line-up that includes Natalie Cole, Jimmy Smits, Bonnie Hunt, Josh Turner, Charles Durning and Colin Powell.
I talked to Mantegna yesterday afternoon about the concert, politics, his musical chops and, of course, "The Simpsons."
A longtime advocate of Veterans Administration volunteer opportunities and troop support, Mantegna says he'd rather keep his personal beliefs about the war to himself.
"I never get political. I wouldn't be involved in this concert if it was a political statement. I'm 100 percent behind those who go out there and make sacrifices. We have the ability to voice our opinions and vote accordingly, but at the end of the day poll numbers don't change the fact that someone may be dying or catastrophically wounded in Iraq. Whole families' lives are altered because of what is going on. I vote how I want to vote and that's my business. That's not what this concert or Memorial Day is about."
When asked if he thought Hollywood's outspoken war critics have a detrimental effect on the troops and soldier morale, Mantegna said he hopes people are smart enough to realize that stars' opinions aren't more valuable than their own.
Mantegna's longest running role has been a recurring cameo as Springfield's resident mobster Fat Tony on "The Simpsons." Though Mantegna said he did record parts for the upcoming Simpsons movie (in theaters July 27), he's not sure if his bits will make it to the final product.
"They [producers] were so secretive about it," said Mantegna, "All we got were the little bits we were supposed to do and we weren't allowed to bring anybody to recording. I don't even know myself what I did."
If all else fails, Mantegna can always return to his roots as a bass player. His '60s-era band, The Apocryphals, toured with the pre-Chicago Missing Links and he still numbers the original members of Chicago among his longtime friends.
This year's Memorial Day concert will focus on soldiers involved in the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Says Mantegna, "Take 90 minutes to watch a show like this. It will help you understand why we have this day and why it's important. In the midst of all our barbecues, it's about something very important to our history and to these people who make sacrifices for this country."
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The National Memorial Day Concert airs live on PBS Sunday evening at 8 p.m. ET (check local listings). If you're planning on heading down to the mall to watch the concert up close, organizers ask that folks hold off on arriving until after 5 p.m.
By Liz |
May 25, 2007; 10:43 AM ET
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Posted by: b | May 25, 2007 12:04 PM
It's a noble sentiment by Joe Mantegna to leave the politics out of it and remember the holiday... I only wonder if there's really a holiday there worth remembering. Memorial Day has become just another holiday, right up there with Christmas and the Fourth of July. "In the midst of all our barbecues" is as American as "in the midst of all our Christmas shopping."
The reality of it is that there is a war being waged. People rally around slogans like "support the troops" in a war without an end in sight, without progress, and without benchmarks for progress.
I'd respect President Bush a whole lot more if he sent his two idiot daughters to the front line. Maybe if he had a personal stake in the war, instead of playing general with other peoples' children, he'd a bit more understanding of others. Maybe he wouldn't be so quick to wage an endless war with other peoples' lives?
Until then, I'll flip a burger on my grill, pop open a beer, and change the channel...
Posted by: Disposable Pet | May 25, 2007 12:08 PM
I wish more celebs kept their politics to themselves. Way to go Joe! As for the remark about Bush's children not fighting in the war, remember, the military is VOLUNTARY. They do not have to go into the military if they do not want to. While I also lament the loss of life in this war, I also know that these people chose to go into the military. They knew the risks. We all know that there are risks in everything we do.
Posted by: Falls Church | May 25, 2007 12:31 PM
Joe is the original and the BEST of Da Super Fans. Also, his work in House of Games was outstanding. Good for him and for his work.
Posted by: Mike Dika | May 25, 2007 12:36 PM
Thanks Joe & Gary Sinese. Neither one of these guys has to do this, some might find it politically incorrect, but I loved his sentiments about what Memorial Day is supposed to be all about. Thanks, Liz, for bringing us this great reminder from a dude who seems to be a real mensch.
Posted by: methinks | May 25, 2007 12:44 PM
'snif' I miss Joan of Arcadia....
Posted by: IndyAnna | May 25, 2007 1:31 PM
So you complain that Memorial Day has turned into a meaningless excuse for barbeques, but then you say you're going to flip a burger on the grill, pop open a beer, and change the channel. Huh?
This has nothing to do with Bush. If you want a real Memorial Day, step away from the grill and do something to remember and honor the veterans (of all wars) who gave their lives. You're part of the problem, not the president. So stop complaining and do something about it.
Posted by: arlington | May 25, 2007 1:39 PM
This should be "In Praise of Joe Mantegna". I can now call myself a fan of his. Love the line about celebs and their opinions.
Posted by: petal | May 25, 2007 1:46 PM
Great interview, Liz. Thank you.
And I second the thanks to Joe Mantegna, Gary Sinise, Charles Durning (bless him), and all the others who come out year after year in support of the men and women of the armed services and their families. They're all class acts in my book. They show up and give their time and talent in all kinds of weather and I make it a point to watch, either in person or on TV.
Posted by: sen | May 25, 2007 1:51 PM
Like Falls Church said, service is VOLUNTARY. Both veterans and those currently serving knew what they were getting into. Nobody gives me a medal for doing my job, it's expected of me. Likewise, while I lament the loss of life, they all knew what they were getting into.
I'm glad I live in a country where people can freely choose to serve. I'm also glad I live in a country where I pay 50-cents less per gallon thanks to a President who's willing to trade volunteered lives to keep the oil flowing *err* "democracy in the Middle East" *err* "war on terrorism!"
So lets bow our heads in memory of those who have given so much so that we may pay so little...
Posted by: Alexandria | May 25, 2007 2:10 PM
props to Gary Sinise, too. My dad (WWII vet) was being treated at Bethesda a few years ago and Sinise made the rounds with the USO, talking to the guys recovering from Iraq injuries that were on the same floor. He probably spent a good part of the day visiting in the hospital, talking to the servicemen and their families. A vrey classy guy, that Lt. Dan.
Posted by: b | May 25, 2007 2:32 PM
Make this weekend mean something. Read Stephen Ambrose's "Citizen Soldiers." It will change your perceptions of what Americans are capable of accomplishing when called upon.
Posted by: 23112 | May 25, 2007 5:20 PM
Both Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise are class acts. They give of their time freely to honor young men and women who give their years and their lives so that we back home can grill burgers or hot dogs on this day and other days of the year.
I salute them both.
Great interview
Posted by: Fairfax, VA | May 28, 2007 1:19 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I always kinda liked that guy.