★ Acting
Born 1949
· Paterson, New Jersey, USA
·
Active 1973–2025
Born in 1949, Joe Cortese emerged from the gritty landscape of American cinema to make a mark in cult films. He is known for his roles in Evilspeak (1981), where he navigates the dark themes of demonic possession, and Deadly Illusion (1987), a film that blends erotic thriller elements with psychological tension. Cortese's work in Jessi's Girls (1975) further solidifies his presence in the exploitation genre, where he brings a unique intensity to his characters, making him a notable figure in the realm of cult cinema.
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3 films available
Deadly Illusion
1987
as Detective Paul Lefferts
A private eye hired to kill a man's wife warns her instead and then finds both are impostors.
Career Highlights
Top 6 by popularity · TMDB
Filmography
65 credits
2020s
4 credits
2025
Everybody's Live with John Mulaney
as Self - Willy Loman, Colony Theatre, Burbank, CA, 2025 (Pre-Tape Segment)
TV
★ 5.0
2010s
10 credits
2000s
10 credits
1990s
18 credits
1980s
17 credits
1970s
4 credits
s
1 credit
Crew Credits
2020s
1 credit