David Rossi
David Rossi | |
---|---|
Criminal Minds character | |
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 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
Mantegna has stated in an interview that the character was named after one of the policemen who had testified at the
Storylines
Backstory
Rossi was born and raised on
Details of his military service are sketchy, as Rossi rarely talks about it. He served in the
After being discharged from active duty, he was recruited by the FBI. He subsequently cut most ties with his former life, not even returning to Commack for Emma's funeral in early 2009. Rossi has had an illustrious FBI career and enjoys a sterling reputation, even outside the BAU confines. He claims to have "written the book" on
In season seven, he reconnects with his first wife, Carolyn (
In season 9, it is revealed that his second wife, Hayden Montgomery (
Rossi has a romantic relationship with BAU Bureau Chief Erin Strauss (Jayne Atkinson), hinted at throughout the series starting late in season 7. The full details of the affair are never disclosed, but he reveals his feelings for her when she is murdered by serial killer John Curtis (Mark Hamill), aka "The Replicator"; upon learning of her death, the usually unflappable Rossi becomes deeply emotional. At the end of the season, he kills Curtis to save his fellow agents' lives, thus avenging Strauss' murder.
Despite growing up on Long Island, Rossi is apparently a Chicago Cubs fan, judging by the Cubs gear in his Quantico office.E319
It is hinted that he plays
Personality
In contrast to Hotchner and Gideon, Rossi is decisively
Rossi is apparently something of a playboy, judging by what Agent
It is implied that Rossi is quite wealthy. At times, he has deliberately flaunted his financial security to his superiors - for example, mentioning to Strauss during an interrogation session his grievances about how the price of gold is going up, and having to figure out when to sell. His wealth is also indicated by Rossi's favorite type of shoe (Italian suede), and an
On the job
Rossi was in early retirement until his voluntary return to the BAU in 2007, replacing
Rossi revealed to a local sheriff his reason for returning to the BAU, holding out a charm bracelet with the names of three children from one of his first cases.E314 The children had found their parents bludgeoned to death in the family home with an axe. After going unsolved for 20 years, the case found that a mentally disabled carny clown had committed the murders accidentally when he broke into the house to play with the oldest daughter. The father had surprised the man in the parents' bedroom and triggered the resulting attacks.E314 After the murders, Rossi had purchased the family's home to assist the children's grandmother, who was raising them following their parents' death. Rossi returned the house to the children, with the request that they use the proceeds to better their lives.
In "Hanley Waters", as he is being interviewed about Prentiss' "apparent death" by Hotchner instead of Strauss, he reveals that he feels more married to his job than to his three ex-wives. He even proposes a toast with Hotchner, to commemorate Prentiss and Hotchner's deceased wife Haley (Meredith Monroe).
In the season six finale, he is almost shot in the face by a suspect pretending to be a victim of human trafficking; however, Morgan's quick reaction saves his life. Later he meets Jareau in his office after solving the case. She meets him to let him know that she is returning to the team.
In season seven, Rossi is just as surprised as the others to learn that Prentiss is alive. However, in "Proof", he mentions to Hotchner that he had an inkling that Prentiss wasn't dead. As he has no children from his previous marriages, Rossi has adopted the BAU team as his own family and invites them to his house for dinner.E702
In "Profiling 101", convicted serial killer Tommy Yates (
In "Annihilator" he is forced into retirement when assistant director of National Security Linda Barnes (Kim Rhodes) reassigns the BAU. However, he is reinstated by the end of the next episode.
Rossi carries a Springfield Professional Model 1911-A1 .45 ACP pistol as his duty sidearm. Only active or former members of the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team and Regional SWAT teams are authorized to carry that pistol. Although never mentioned this would seem to indicate that Rossi served on one or both of these elite FBI tactical units at one time during his FBI career.
Awards and decorations
In "Anonymous", Rossi's military awards and decorations can be clearly seen in a shadowbox hanging on his office wall. The following are the medals and service awards fictionally worn by Sgt. Maj. Rossi.
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References
- ^ "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.
- ^E314 "Damaged". Criminal Minds. Season 3. Episode 14.
- ^E318 "The Crossing". Criminal Minds. Season 3. Episode 18.
- ^E319 "Tabula Rasa". Criminal Minds. Season 3. Episode 19.
- ^E402 "The Angel Maker". Criminal Minds. Season 4. Episode 2.
- ^E403 "Minimal Loss". Criminal Minds. Season 4. Episode 3.
- ^E415 "Zoe's Reprise". Criminal Minds. Season 4. Episode 15.
- ^E503 "Reckoner". Criminal Minds. Season 5. Episode 3.
- ^E702 "Proof". Criminal Minds. Season 7. Episode 2.
- ^E703 "Dorado Falls". Criminal Minds. Season 7. Episode 3.