Cortese was raised in Provo, Utah where he attended high school and college. In high school, Cortese was enrolled in the drama program where he found a voice on stage. Known for his quick wit and wild humor he excelled at improvisation, at the behest of his teacher he began auditioning for plays put on at the school. Upon graduation, Cortese began writing for a local newspaper, using his talent for vocabulary he wrote articles covering the Brigham Young University college basketball team.

On a chance meeting with a neighbor, Cortese transitioned from the local press to a short lived career in finance. Upon realization that finance was not for him, Cortese's mentor suggested he get back into acting. Cortese began taking acting classes in Salt Lake City and was discovered by filmmaker Rob Diamond who cast him in his first role as Blake, an ex con surviving on a ranch in the small budget film The Last Page.