Biography
JW Cortés' life is a testament to resilience, service, and the power of using one's platform to make a difference. Born and raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York City, to inspiring Puerto Rican parents, JW developed a love for the arts and a deep-seated desire to serve his community and country from a young age. This passion led him to enlist in the Marine Corps, where he served with distinction for nearly thirteen years, including combat deployments and assignments at various Diplomatic American Embassies as a member of the highly regarded Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG).
While serving in uniform, JW simultaneously pursued his passion for the arts, studying at the world-renowned acting school, The Esper Studio under the tutelage of Terry Knickerbocker, and making a name for himself in the entertainment industry. In 2012, he was selected from over 200,000 applicants to join NBC's reality series *Stars Earn Stripes*, where he trained alongside notables like Navy Seal Chief Chris Kyle (American Sniper) and celebrities like Terry Crews and Laila Ali. He became the first actor to portray the DC comic book character "Detective Carlos Alvarez" on FOX's primetime hit TV series GOTHAM and has appeared in other popular shows like Law & Order SVU, POWER, The Blacklist, and Blue Bloods. His voice brought life to "Mateo" on PBS's Alma's Way in 2022. His followers were delighted by his recent cameo in Jennifer Lopez and Maluma's music video "Pa'Ti Lonely," and his contribution to the remix of Country Music superstar Kane Brown's hit record "Homesick" further demonstrated his versatility and dedication to supporting military families.
In addition to his acting career, JW has made significant contributions to philanthropy. In 2016, JW was honored as the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Leadership Award. At that event, he chose The Detective Rafael Ramos Foundation to receive a $2,000 donation from the New York Jets, marking a significant moment in his ongoing commitment to giving back. JW joined The Ramos Foundation, established in memory of NYPD First Grade Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, in the same year. Taking over as President in 2020, he secured nearly a million dollars in funding, helping to strengthen and at times create robust programs like the annual backpack giveaway, which has provided thousands of students with the supplies they need to succeed. During the pandemic, JW led efforts to deliver essential items like hand sanitizer and masks to schools in BedStuy, Brooklyn, ensuring students could continue their education safely. Through his relationship with Gary Sinise, the Gary Sinise Foundation has donated considerable amounts to The Ramos Foundation every year, further bolstering its efforts. He also forged relationships with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, bringing thousands of toys to children in the area. Through his celebrity connections, JW has elevated the Foundation's profile, attracting support from notable figures like boxing megastar Amanda Serrano, Dean Cain, Robin Lord Taylor, Joseph Sikora, Gary Sinise, and Terry Crews.
JW's efforts culminated in the renaming of PS 54K in Brooklyn to The Detective Rafael Ramos School on September 13, 2024-a testament to his impact and the lasting legacy he is helping to create. As his tenure as President of The Ramos Foundation comes to an end on December 21, 2024, he leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication to the community, ready to pass the torch to the next leader.
JW's philanthropic work has not gone unnoticed. He was chosen by The Boot Campaign as a celebrity spokesperson and Hero Ambassador, and later featured in HBO's critically acclaimed series "Habla Y Vota." In 2015, he was selected by the nonprofit Got Your 6 as an "American Icon," addressing the members of Congress at the GI Film Festival to advocate for more accurate portrayals of military and veterans' stories in Hollywood. Additionally, JW has addressed members of Congress to further the mission of supporting veterans and first responders.
Currently, JW is a highly sought-after public speaker, delivering riveting and inspiring speeches across the United States. Above all, JW is a proud father of two sons, and he cherishes their Taco Tuesdays together. He is also working on his first memoir, set to be released in 2025. His journey from the streets of Brooklyn to the forefront of service and entertainment is a source of inspiration, showing that with determination and heart, one can make a lasting impact on the world.
