Joe Cortese awarded in Cannes, interview

Joe Cortese has been part of famous TV series casts, from the 80s' "Hunter" to "Scarlett" (2021), including "Murder, She Wrote," "Renegade," "Something Is Out There," "Nash Bridges," "Bones" and many others. Could we say that you've experienced a true generational shift in television series? What has changed over the years according to you, and what instead connects the casts you've been part of?

First of all, technology wasn't at today's level yet. TV series in the 80s didn't have streaming competition. In the early 80s, HBO cable television was born: a new way to watch movies. In the 80s, a TV series consisted of 22 episodes in a season for a one-hour show and sometimes 26 shows for a half-hour sitcom.

At that time, Universal Studios was like a TV factory churning out one series after another.

I started working heavily in television in the early 80s through the early 90s. I was the lead in 7 television projects for writers Stephen J. Cannell, Aaron Spelling, William Friedkin, and many good shows like The C.A.T. Squad, Something Is Out There, Missing Persons, and others.

The generational change is due to technology and tax incentives that have taken many series out of Hollywood, to Canada and various countries around the world.

Cable television and now streaming have allowed creative freedom that has made a huge difference.

The use of profanity, nudity, couldn't and still can't be done by network television. There are still some great network shows with huge audiences. All of Dick Wolf's programs are fantastic. I wish they'd bring back half-hour sitcoms. Television has changed with the times.

Drama is a reflection of society in its time.

What do you remember about the cast of "Murder, She Wrote" and then-star Angela Lansbury? Do you have a particular anecdote tied to a television series you participated in that you can share with fans?

The best show to work on as an actor was Murder She Wrote, first of all it was offered without audition and paid double, no one else did that. Actors were treated with respect thanks to the great Angela Lansbury who was the executive producer of the show. It was a family-run business and they made it a great place to work, I still receive residuals from the show! It was wonderful working with Angela.

You'll be at Cannes with the film Here's Yianni! with Julia Ormond, Rosanna Arquette, Eric Roberts in the cast. Can you preview what the plot will narrate and tell us about your role, Yianni, in the film?

Here's Yianni will be honored by The Better World Fund at the Carlton Hotel on May 21st. The film is based on a short film titled Tonight And Every Night that I made with writer/director Christina Elioupolus, a true story about her father Gus, a restaurant owner in Asbury Park, N.J., who suffered from dementia, but who in his illness imagined himself as a late-night talk show host, like Johnny Carson, hence the title Here's Yianni! It's a beautiful love story about a lifelong love and the devotion of Yianni's loving wife. The film has moments of humor that make you laugh out loud. It's the kind of film that makes you leave the theater with a tear in your eye, a smile on your face, and love in your heart. The cast includes Julia Ormond, Rosanna Arquette, Kevin Pollack, and Eric Roberts.

I play Yianni, the Greek restaurant owner, whom I played in the short film. He's a character different from those I've played, but one I welcome and appreciate. Thanks to Christina for writing such a wonderful role and thank you for choosing me. Yianni is much closer to me, to who I really am, compared to Gio in The Green Book or many other characters I've played.

Also at Cannes, you and Julia Ormond will be honored as actors of the year during a gala evening, a recognition that rewards not only your career but also a way of being on set, of representing. What does this recognition mean to you, to which characteristic of your being an actor, your way of representing and embodying, do you think such recognition?

To be awarded in Cannes together with Julia Ormond is undoubtedly the greatest honor of my life. I have worked very hard to be not only a good actor, but more importantly a good man, a good father and a good friend. I have prided myself on being as generous as possible in every way, and I must say that I am proud to be the man I am, true to myself.

I have stayed the course through the good times and the hard times. I want to thank the Better World Fund for this extraordinary honor.

Most of all, I thank God for a blessed life.

It is always an honor to get recognition for one's work. Many times in this field great talent goes unnoticed. I am very grateful to be honored in Cannes!

When I was a little boy, maybe 8 or 9 years old, I sat on the floor of our living room in Paterson, NJ, next to my father's chair. We were watching Death Of a Salesman

on Playhouse 90, Arthur Miller's great American play. I was mesmerized, I remember it like it was yesterday, I couldn't take my eyes off Lee J. Cobb.

I always wanted to play Willy Loman. After finishing the post-production of Yianni the opportunity presented itself.

In your long career, is there one character that has stayed with you more than others, that you would have liked to play again or elaborate on?

I started working in theater in New York and then came to Los Angeles. The first show I worked in was Kojak, a new detective series with Telly Savalas, and that's how I got my SAG card. I recently finished a performance of Death Of a Salesman at The Colony theater in Los Angeles. We also filmed three live performances.

It is a role I would love to do again on stage.

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