Joe Cortese. We spoke to the veteran actor also writer, producer from Paterson, New Jersey. Joe has been in the industry for forty years. His career has encompassed stage, film, and television. Some people after forty years of doing anything might be winding down. But not Joe, he’s found his next gear (or two) and has put his already successful career in overdrive. Recently, he portrayed Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani in the critically acclaimed and award-winning (Golden Globes, The Emmy’s, Critics Choice), The Assassination of Gianni Versace. Joe followed that stellar performance with another one in his portrayal of Gio Loscudo opposite Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali in the multi-Oscar Award-winning, Green Book.
Joe’s biography is an extensive and very successful one. He established his acting career as a stage actor in New York before landing his first leading role in the 1976 cult classic, The Death Collector. From there he made Hollywood and the big screen his home starring in countless motion pictures nailing the role of a “trickster” in; Monsignor, Windows, American History X, Against the Ropes, Malevolence,
Lucky Town, and Ruby. Yes, Joe has mastered the role of “trickster”. But he enjoys a versatile acting skillset; straight man, side-kick, gay icon, gangster. Joe can and has done it all. His versatility was on full display in his funny role opposite Danny Devito in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, as the gay icon movie producer in Shut Up and Shoot and as the gangster in You Got Nothin. His film career has extended to Independent Films; The Bronx Bull, Go Go Tales and Tonight and Every Night. This is only the tip of Joe’s iceberg. His memorable performances are endless.
Joe’s trifecta is completed with his body of work on television. His most recognized television performance was for his role as Johnny Roselli in HBO’s The Rat Pack. His small-screen body of work also includes; He Wants Her Back (PBS), The C.A.T. Squad (NBC) and Something’s Out There (NBC) to name a few.
Joe now assumes the role of the topical, lively, animated Roger Stone in Showtime’s The Loudest Voice. The seven-week mini-series premiered on Showtime on June 30th. The mini-series is based on journalist, Gabriel Sherman’s, 2014 biography of the late Roger Ailes.
Joe, like most of us, knew of Roger Stone primarily based on what he had seen in the media. We asked Joe about his research and preparation as well as what nuisances he brought to this unique character. “When they approached me for the role, I watched the documentary called, Get Me Roger Stone several times. I started talking to some of my journalist friends and people in the news media, who knew about him. I also watched a lot of newsreel footage. And I studied his behavior.”
The performance in the mini-series is a one-scene cameo, playing opposite Russell Crowe who stars as Roger Ailes. Nevertheless, Joe put much thought, time and effort into his preparation. “I started working on the inside of how I thought he was based on the research I gathered by watching him and talking to people who know him. Then I worked on his physical appearance. He’s a peacock. He’s well-dressed, fashionable, flashy and has great glasses.” Laughter. “It’s only one scene but it has a juicy snappy dialogue. More than anything I wanted to create the essence of who he is. And I think I did that.”
Currently, Joe is making a feature movie from the short film, Tonight and Every Night. The movie addresses a topic that one out of every four Americans is affected by, dementia. Joe plays an elderly man who is suffering from the disease. It is a humorous, touching, beautiful, uplifting story.
Joe has also written a mini-series, Charlie Lucky; The Real American Godfather that is currently in production. It’s a bio of Lucky Luciano, the Italian Mobster, who the American government went to for help during World War II. Lucky assisted the American government in bringing the war to an end in Europe. At the same time, Joe is busy working on and writing several other projects.
Watch Joe in The Loudest Voice on Showtime Sunday night, July 28th 9e.
Thanks so much for the chat, Joe.
I AM KP Smith
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