Shane Cortese

Shane Cortese (born on August 13, 1968 in Wellington, New Zealand) is a New Zealand actor and singer, best known for his role as Dominic Thompson on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He was also a runner-up on Season 1 of NZ Dancing With The Stars in 2005.

Acting (TV and Theatre)

Shane trained at London's Central School of Speech and Drama. After graduating from the Musical Theatre Course in 1993, he spent 10 years touring the UK in musicals, performing several times on London's prestigious West End. His performances won critical acclaim from UK reviewers.

Shane has played the role of ‘Prince Charming’ on stage three times, in Cinderella (1999), Into the Woods (2000) and in Sleeping Beauty (2004). [ [http://www.outrageousfortune.co.nz/cast/shane-cortese/ Outrageous Fortune - The official site » Shane Cortese ] ] [ [http://www.tv.com/outrageous-fortune/show/31757/shane-cortese-to-guest-star-in-outrageous-fortune/topic/71718-238905/msgs.html TV.com Forums - Shane Cortese to guest star in Outrageous Fortune ] ]

He briefly returned to New Zealand in 2000 to play Prince Charming in Raymond Hawthorne's Auckland Theatre Company production of Into the Woods.In 2003 he returned to New Zealand to play the role of Dominic Thompson on Shortland Street, he was listed as a main character until leaving the show in late 2004. [ [http://www.streettalk.co.nz/interviews/shane-cortese/ Shane Cortese » Street Talk: Shortland Street fans ] ] In 2005 he shed the bad-boy image when he scored a guest starring role in fantasy series Maddigan’s Quest. Late 2005 saw Shane play the lead character ‘John’ opposite British actress Zoe Lucker on stage in Then Comes Love. In late 2005 after appearing on Dancing With The Stars he hosted TV3’s So You Think You Can Dance. In 2006 until 2007 he returned to his bad boy ways playing Hayden Peters on New Zealand's Outrageous Fortune. [ [http://www.outrageousfortune.co.nz/cast/shane-cortese/ Outrageous Fortune - The official site » Shane Cortese ] ]

Dancing With The Stars (New Zealand, Season 1)

On April 29, 2005 he starred on the New Zealand version of Dancing With The Stars. Partnered with dancer Nerida Lister he was named runner-up on June 20, 2005. [ [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/442303/592961/ Recap - S1 - Episode Eight | DANCING WITH THE STARS | TV ONE | tvnz.co.nz ] ] Throughout the show there were rumours that they were dating despite the fact they were both in relationships.

inging

He has performed at the 2005 Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park and the 2005/2006 SkyCity Starlight Symphony. He's had lead roles in musical comedies The New Rocky Horror Picture Show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Rock Hard, Elvis - The Musical, Rock and Roll Heaven and The Rocky Horror Show. [ [http://www.kiwireviews.co.nz/review/175 The Rocky Horror Show : Product Reviews : KIWIreviews.co.nz : : ] ] [ [http://www.infonews.co.nz/event.cfm?l=3&t=0&id=786 Shane Cortese Joins Showstoppers! | infonews.co.nz ] ]

In 2006 Shane began directing Rock and Roll Heaven and in 2007 toured the show around New Zealand. [ [http://www.rockonz.com/Artist%20Profiles/Shane%20Cortese ROCKONZ - Shane Cortese ] ]

Personal life

In January, 2006 Shane and Nerida announced they were dating [ [http://www.kiwiherald.com/CorteseLister.html Cortese Lister ] ] , then in 2006 New Idea magazine announced Shane and Nerida were expecting their first baby. In April 2007 Kees Armas Cortese was born by water birth at North Shore Hospital, the first exclusive photos of Kees were shown in New Zealand magazine New Idea a month after his birth. [ [http://strictlydancing.utopian-totality.co.uk/content/view/4462/2/ Strictly Come Dancing Online ] ] [ [http://www.boatingnz.co.nz/4209155a11215.html Celebrities flock to see Cooper Kids (+pics) - New Zealand's source for entertainment news, gossip & music, movie & book reviews on Stuff.co.nz ] ] [ [http://www.nzrealitytv.com/2007/05/dwts-news-28-may-2007.html New Zealand Reality TV: DWTS News 28 May 2007 ] ]

It was noted in a New Idea article that before the conception of Kees, Nerida and Shane had been expecting another baby but the pregnancy had to be terminated due to complications with the foetus's health.

Shane and Nerida became engaged on February 26, 2008.

Filmography

*Burying Brian (TV) - Brian Walsh (2008)
*Outrageous Fortune (TV) - Hayden Peters (2006-2007)
*Maddigan's Quest (TV) - Timon's father (2006)
*Inside (Film) - Michael (2004)
*Shortland Street (TV) - Dominic Thompson (2003-2004)
*Joseph 2000 (TV) - Pharaoh (2000)

References

External links

* [http://www.shanecortese.com/ Shane Cortese's Website]
* [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411307/429203 Shortland Street Profile]
* [http://www.actors.co.nz/people/viewAnybody.aspx?anybodyId=492 Shane Cortese - Karen Kay Management]
* [http://www.outrageousfortune.co.nz/cast/shane-cortese/ Outrageous Fortune Profile]