Cortese was raised in Provo, Utah where he attended high school and college. In high school, Cortese was enrolled in the drama program where he found a voice on stage. Known for his quick wit and wild humor he excelled at improvisation, at the behest of his teacher he began auditioning for plays put on at the school. Upon graduation, Cortese began writing for a local newspaper, using his talent for vocabulary he wrote articles covering the Brigham Young University college basketball team.