Dan Cortese

Veteran Actor & Television Host; Creator & Host of Emmy Award-Winning "MTV Sports"; Pop Culture Personality

Malibu, CA, USA
Live Event: $30,000 - $50,000 Virtual Event: $10,000 - $20,000 More Fee Info
Actor, Author, Business, Celebrity, Host & Emcee, Inspirational, Motivational, Overcoming Adversity, Sports, Sports Journalism & Broadcasting, Television & Film
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Dan Cortese Biography

Dan Cortese is an American actor, television host, and author whose career spans more than three decades in the entertainment industry. Cortese gained national recognition as the creator and host of the Emmy Award-winning "MTV Sports," where he explored the worlds of sports and entertainment for six years. The show received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology and later earned the Cable Ace Award for Outstanding Sports Information Series. Cortese also served as Burger King's official spokesperson during its "Your Way, Right Away" advertising campaign.

Transitioning from MTV, Cortese moved into acting, making his feature film debut with a cameo in the Sylvester Stallone film "Demolition Man." He appeared on the NBC sitcom "Seinfeld," playing Tony, the rock-climbing boyfriend of Elaine Benes, in the episode "The Stall." During rehearsals, Cortese improvised the line "Step off," which became a catchphrase for the episode. The role contributed to his recognition in pop culture.

Cortese expanded his television résumé with roles such as Jess Hanson in "Melrose Place" and a starring role alongside Kirstie Alley in "Veronica's Closet." He also had a recurring role in the WB sitcom "What I Like About You" as Vic Maledeo, later becoming a series regular in the show's final season.

Beyond scripted television, Cortese has demonstrated versatility as a host and personality, leading programs such as NBC's "My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad," ABC's "Crash Course," and "Guinness World Records: Unleashed." He has hosted food-related competitions like "Beach Bake Battle" and appeared in guest roles on shows including "Hot in Cleveland," "Castle," and "Leverage: Redemption."

In addition to his on-screen work, Cortese authored the memoir "Step Off!: My Journey from Mimbo to Manhood," chronicling his evolution from a Pittsburgh steel mill worker to a Hollywood actor, with reflections on Hollywood, life lessons, and balancing fame with family. The memoir has been well received for its humor and relatability. Cortese's career as an actor, television host, motivational speaker, and author highlights his adaptability and presence in the entertainment industry.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/02/2026.

Dan Cortese Speaking Topics

  • MOTIVATIONAL: Dealing with pain in a positive manner

    Anyone who has experienced extreme personal pain knows that it's worthy of a daily speech in itself. It's silly for me to think I could tell any of you something you don't already know. The truth is, each and every one of us comes equipped with all the necessary knowledge we need to navigate this lifetime. The issue lies in being brave enough to use that knowledge to confront our pain and, in doing so, allowing ourselves to learn from that confrontation. Having the strength to come to that realization allowed me to move forward with my life in the most positive way possible. What exactly does this mean? There is a purpose to the pain!

    Embrace that thought and never forget it. Trust me, the more you peel back that pain and embrace its purpose and why it exists, the more you'll not only heal but you'll find strength and some humor and happiness buried deep inside that had been waiting for you. to help in that healing process. That smile on your heart is there for a reason, be sure to appreciate the fact that you've earned it and allow yourself to happily move forward with gratitude, thanks and positivity.

  • INSPIRATIONAL: WHAT IF?

    Apparently, there's a reason your brain chooses to remember certain seemingly inconsequential times as opposed to many of the 'more important ones'. As I get older and continually become more aware, it's so enjoyable to piece together the puzzle of my life and finally make sense of how all of the moments fit together so perfectly. Especially those moments that initially seemed like they were just a few random, leftover pieces thrown into the box. It's important to understand and accept that each and every moment matters.

    We shouldn’t live our lives saying 'what if'. I prefer to say 'why not?' To me, 'what if' is stamped with a negative label, because the majority of the time we use it to wonder 'what if' a bad situation would have been better. All that does is stifle our growth and keep our mind in a place it was meant to leave behind. If you can realize and accept why certain things happen and why others don't, then you can grow from them, learn from them, and appreciate them. You can leave them behind and move on with a more positive mindset that accepts the fact that we get to where we are in life by the choices we make. We can't always control the circumstances of certain situations, but we can control how we choose to deal with those circumstances.

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Dan Cortese Videos

The Reset Seven

The Reset Seven

Dan's seven simple steps to a more positive daily life.

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Step Off! My Journey from Mimbo to Manhood
Step Off! My Journey from Mimbo to Manhood

  • How do I book Dan Cortese to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Dan Cortese for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Dan Cortese, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Dan Cortese or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for Dan Cortese

    Speaking fees for Dan Cortese, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Dan Cortese are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Dan Cortese, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Dan Cortese speak about?

    Dan Cortese is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Actor, Author, Business, Celebrity, Host & Emcee, Inspirational, Motivational, Overcoming Adversity, Sports, Sports Journalism & Broadcasting, Television & Film

  • Where does Dan Cortese travel from?

    Dan Cortese generally travels from Malibu, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

  • Who is Dan Cortese’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Dan Cortese for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Dan Cortese for your next private or corporate function.

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    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Dan Cortese or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

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Dan Cortese is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as MOTIVATIONAL: Dealing with pain in a positive manner, INSPIRATIONAL: WHAT IF?, DAILY MOTIVATION and OVER COMING ADVERSITY : Life, Business & Sports. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dan Cortese for your event is $30,000 - $50,000. Dan Cortese generally travels from Malibu, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Roy Firestone, Robert Herjavec, Montel Williams, Jim Morris and Mike Greenberg. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dan Cortese for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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