Michael Cortez was born on the Southeast side of Chicago, Illinois in 1978. In high school, Michael's early roots onstage as Chino in West Side Story solidified his passion and commitment to be an actor for the rest of his life. His early stage work was spent with numerous theater troupes on Chicago's South Side. Not wasting any time to develop his craft, he began taking up independent acting studies in the evenings at ActOne studios in downtown Chicago.In 2001, Michael began his film career in his first leading role as Angel in the feature film On the Downlow. In this independent feature film that received prestigious awards in both New York and Los Angeles, Michael masterfully played a Southside Chicago gang member grappling with his sexuality.In 2005, Michael moved to New York City accepting admissions to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He has been seen nationwide in regional theatre performing in New York's Fringe Festival as well as off-Broadway. National theatre credits include: Lucius in Titus Andronicus, Leo Clark in Ken Ludwig's Leading Ladies, Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl, Palomo in Anna in the Tropics, Bertolt Brecht's The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, and originating the role of Sal in Phil Olson's production of the musical Don't Hug Me, We're Family where he was also recorded on the original cast soundtrack.Wanting to invest further in film and TV, Michael made his home in Los Angeles in 2013. Soon after, he was cast in the independent feature Day of the Mummy, starring Danny Glover. He is currently represented by Tiffin Creative Talent.Michael is known for his comedic and dramatic performances, as well as displaying exceptional sensitivity and depth in all his characters. He feels blessed to have been given so many opportunities to follow his heart.