Joseph Cortese is an American actor who has starred in films such as Windows (1980), The Chilling (1981), and Monsignor (1982). Cortese was born in Paterson, New Jersey. He attended Midwestern College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in theater. Cortese went to New York and studied with Milton Katselas. Cortese has starred in films such as Windows (1980), The Chilling (1981), and Monsignor (1982).

Among his other film work are roles in Arizona Slim (1974), The Girls of Jessie (1975), The Death Collector (1976), Fatal Illusion (1987), Ruby (1992), Forbidden Dreams (1994), American History X (1998), and On the Rope (2004).