You may not be familiar with the Illinois city of Rockford, but the state’s second most toddlin’ town boasts the rock band Cheap Trick, the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, and an actor who makes us rock hard — Joe Mantello! After studying at the North Carolina School of the Arts, the Midwestern thespian headed to the Big Apple to pursue a career on Broadway. As such, Mr. Mantello used his magical touch when directing a little book-based musical called Wicked (2003). Perhaps you’ve heard of it? He also picked up Tonys for directing Take Me Out (2003) and Assassins (2004). Yet we’re more interested in Joe’s credits as an actor. Through the years, the prolific performer appeared on stage (Angels in America, The Normal Heart, The Glass Menagerie); on film (Cookie, The Normal Heart); and on television shows (Central Park West, Law & Order, Sisters). The small screen stud played Dick Samuels on the streaming saga Hollywood (2020); John Graff on the Netflix mystery The Watcher (2022); and Gino Barelli on the anthology series American Horror Story: NYC (2022). The latter features Billie Lourd, Denis O’Hare, Isaac Cole Powell, Patti LuPone, Sandra Bernhard, Zachary Quinto, and Joe’s same-sex preferences for co-star Russell Tovey. While lounging on the Fire Island beach, the salt-and-pepper-haired hotties suck face! No doubt, their spicy embrace will ignite a fire burning in your loins. Mr. Man would love to get busy with Mr. Mantello but the actor/director has been too busy working on his bulging... resume!
