Dan Cortese (born September 14, 1967 in Sewickley, Pennsylvania) is an American actor.

Biography

Early life

Prior to becoming an actor, he was a walk-on member of the University of North Carolina football team. His freshman year he traveled with the team to the Aloha Bowl. He graduated with a B.A. in Broadcasting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Career

Cortese first came to prominence as host of MTV Sports from 1992 to 1997. He had the main role as Jason in the 1996 movie The Lottery. He had starring roles in the 1993 remake/sequel of Route 66,Traps, Melrose Place, The Single Guy, Veronica's Closet (in which he played Perry for three seasons), Rock Me Baby, and Ball & Chain. Cortese appeared in the NBC television series Seinfeld, where he played Tony, Elaine's ultra-cool, vapid, good-looking boyfriend. In the episode, "The Stall", he was dubbed a "mimbo" (a male bimbo). He was also featured in The WB television series What I Like About You in a recurring role as Vic, Val's husband, and in several episodes of 8 Simple Rules, playing Bridget's tennis coach. He has also starred in the natural horror film Locusts: The 8th Plague.

During Burger King's "Your Way, Right Away" advertising campaign during the 1990s, Cortese was hired as the fast-food company's official spokesperson. Cortese would often be seen visiting with Burger King customers and getting them flame grilled whoppers, customized to their liking. He would also been seen hanging out in the back, grilling burgers with Burger King workers. He was then given the nickname of "Dan Dan: The Whopper Man" in the commercials.

He is currently the host of My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad, which airs on NBC.

External links

• Dan Cortese at the Internet Movie Database
• University of North Carolina Famous Alumni
• Entertainment Weekly "Dan Dan The Whopper Man" article