Joe Mantegna's portrayal of David Rossi on Criminal Minds became a defining role in his career. But when the beloved character suddenly started fading into the background, fans were left wondering: What happened to Rossi? Why did Mantegna leave the show? The truth is more complex than anyone imagined, involving health struggles, personal dilemmas, and even creative tensions behind the scenes.

For years, Joe Mantegna’s character, Rossi, was a cornerstone of Criminal Minds, bringing wisdom, experience, and heart to the show. But as the series progressed, something changed. Rossi, once a pivotal character, became noticeably less involved in the team’s investigations. Fans, confused by the sudden shift, began to speculate: Was this a decision by the show’s writers, or was there something else going on behind closed doors?
As rumors about Mantegna’s exit swirled, many pointed to health issues as a key factor. In recent years, Mantegna has opened up about the physical toll that decades in Hollywood have taken on his body. "The demands of the job can be exhausting," Mantegna confessed in an interview. It seems that after years of shooting intense scenes and dealing with the grueling schedule, the actor's health started to suffer.
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