Cortese is a surname of Italian origin. Notable people with the surname are as follows:Anthony Cortese, US environmental scientist Bob Cortese, US college football coach Cristoforo Cortese, Venetian miniaturist and illuminator Dan Cortese, US actor David D. Cortese, US political figure Deena Cortese, American television personality, Jersey Shore Domenico Tarcisio Cortese (1931–2011), Roman Catholic Bishop of Mileto-Nicotera-Tropea Dominic L. Cortese, US political figure Enrico Cortese, Italian footballer Federico Cortese, music director of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras and conductor of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra Franco Cortese (1903–1986), Italian auto racing driver Genevieve Cortese, US television actress Giovanni Andrea Cortese (1483–1548), Italian cardinal and monastic reformer Giulio Cesare Cortese (1570–1640), Italian writer Guido Cortese (1908–1964), Italian lawyer and politician Guillaume Courtois (1628–1679), French-born artist who flourished in Rome, where he was known as Guglielmo Cortese Isabella Cortese, Italian alchemist and writer of the Renaissance Joe Cortese, US actor Laura Cortese, US musician Leonardo Cortese (1916–1984), Italian film actor and director Leone Cortese, Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Acerra Matias Cortese, Argentine rugby union player Nicola Cortese, Italian banker Nicolò Cortese (1907–1934), Roman Catholic parish priest and director for the Il Messaggero di Sant'Antonio magazine in Padua before and during World War II, Servant of God Pete Cortese, US musician Rita Cortese, Argentine actress and singer Sandro Cortese, German motorcycle racer Shane Cortese, New Zealand actor and singer Valentina Cortese (1923–2019), Italian actress