Cortez's film career began in 1974, when he was introduced in
Daigdig ng Sindak at Lagim. He is also known for being an action star in many action films with his intensive and antagonistic roles and also in TV series. He became an assistant director of the film
Kapag Lumaban ang Api in 1987. He became the president of the
Mowelfund (Movie Workers Foundation, Inc.) after
Boots Anson-Roa retired on April 1, 2020. He was a former president of the Actors’ Guild of the Philippines and was replaced by
Imelda Papin in 2017. ==Politics==