Editing Nico Cortez

{{Cast Data
| image = Nico Cortez.jpg
| size = 200px
| character = Young [[William Adama]]
| series = RDM
| born_month =
| born_day =
| born_year =
| death_month =
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| showage = N
| nationality = US
| site =
| imdb = 1067317
| sortkey = Cortez, Nico
|image2=Young_Adama.jpg}}

'''Nico Cortez''' (born '''Nico Samano''') is an American actor who portrayed the first iteration of a younger version of [[William Adama]] during the [[Cylon War]] in the "[[Razor Flashbacks]]" segments of ''[[w:Battlestar Galactica: Razor|Battlestar Galactica: Razor]].'' 

For ''[[w:Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome|Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome]],'' the role of a young Cylon War-era Adama was given to British actor [[Luke Pasqualino]].<ref group="production" name="aicn_hibberd_pasqualino_cast_husker_2011">{{cite web|url=http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/48237#:~:text=twentysomething%20Adama%20in%20%22Battlestar%20Galactica%3A%20Razor|title=Learn Who Plays Bill "Husker" Adama In BLOOD & CHROME!!|author=Hercules|publisher=Ain't It Cool News|date=26 January 2011|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Early life and training ===

Cortez was raised in the Midwestern United States and attended college in [[w:Indiana|Indiana]].<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_midwest_origin">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%27m%20originally%20from%20the%20Midwest|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> In 1995, he is part of a staff group photo for the New University Inn and Conference Center in West Lafayette, Indiana during his employment there.<ref group="external" name="journalcourier_1995_university_inn_ad_samano">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/264595077/#:~:text=Nico%20Samano|title=The New University Inn and Conference Center (advertisement)|newspaper=Journal and Courier|location=Lafayette, Indiana|date=22 November 1995|page=2|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> After finishing his degree he found himself uncertain of a direction, and has said that watching [[w:Al Pacino|Al Pacino]]'s closing courtroom monologue in ''[[w:Scent of a Woman (1992 film)|Scent of a Woman]]'' during that period convinced him to pursue acting.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_scent_of_a_woman_epiphany">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%20watched%20Scent%20of%20a%20Woman|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He subsequently drove to [[w:Los Angeles|Los Angeles]] with $300 and no formal training, and spent roughly three years studying at a Los Angeles acting studio, eventually earning a scholarship there, while separately taking classes with a local [[w:William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]] company and studying the [[w:Alexander Technique|Alexander Technique]] and voice work.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_la_training">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%20found%20one%20of%20the%20top%20places|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He has described himself as theatre-trained, though most of the professional work he found once he began booking roles was in television rather than on stage.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_theatre_training">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%20was%20theatre%20trained|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

=== Early screen roles ===

Cortez's early television credits were billed under his birth surname, Samano. He legally changed his professional name to Cortez after his manager reported that casting directors were misreading his ethnicity, at a time when productions were specifically seeking Latino actors.<ref group="footnotes" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_name_change_reason">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%20decided%20to%20pick%20this%20Spanish%20name|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> His first professional role was a guest appearance as a "witch doctor" on ''[[w:Big Bad Beetleborgs|Beetleborgs Metallix]]'' in 1997.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_beetleborgs_first_role">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%20played%20a%20witch%20doctor|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He appeared as "Young Man" in a 1999 episode of the naval drama ''[[w:Pensacola: Wings of Gold|Pensacola: Wings of Gold]]'', sharing scenes with [[w:Kenny Johnson|Kenny Johnson]] and [[w:Sandra Hess|Sandra Hess]]. He did not work directly with Hess' husband, future ''Battlestar Galactica'' castmate [[Michael Trucco]], on that production, and the two did not meet in person until crossing paths outside a [[w:Vancouver|Vancouver]] hotel years later during the filming of ''Razor''.<ref group="external" name="tvmaze_cortez_credits_early_career">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/people/22768/nico-cortez#:~:text=Pensacola%3A%20Wings%20of%20Gold|title=Nico Cortez - Credits|publisher=TVmaze|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref><ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_pensacola_trucco">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=My%20scene%20was%20with%20Kenny%20Johnson|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

Cortez played "Garcia," a recurring undercover role requiring him to appear in women's clothing, across episodes of the short-lived [[w:CBS|CBS]] series ''Manhattan, AZ'' in 2000.<ref group="external" name="tvmaze_cortez_credits_manhattan_az_csi">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/people/22768/nico-cortez#:~:text=Manhattan%2C%20AZ|title=Nico Cortez - Credits|publisher=TVmaze|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> Cortez has said the audition came during a period when he was struggling to book work, and that he wore a dress to the audition itself, a choice the show's executive producer later told him had not influenced the hiring decision.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_manhattan_az_audition">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%27m%20going%20to%20wear%20this%20to%20the%20audition|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> His character was picked up for a second season, but the series was cancelled before its final two episodes, including both of Cortez's remaining appearances, aired.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_manhattan_az_cancelled">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=Before%20they%20even%20aired%20the%20second%20season|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He appeared as "Edward Sanchez" in a 2006 episode of ''[[w:CSI: Crime Scene Investigation|CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]''.<ref group="external" name="tvmaze_cortez_credits_csi_early">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/people/22768/nico-cortez#:~:text=CSI%3A%20Crime%20Scene%20Investigation|title=Nico Cortez - Credits|publisher=TVmaze|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> In 2007 he appeared in a small role in the series finale season of ''[[w:Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'', in a part he has said was offered to him directly by executive producer [[w:Ken Olin|Ken Olin]].<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_alias_ken_olin">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=Ken%20Olin%2C%20one%20of%20the%20executive%20producers|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

=== ''Battlestar Galactica: Razor'' ===
[[File:Nico Cortez on set circa 2007.jpg|thumb|[[Nico Cortez]] as a young {{callsign|Husker}} on set in the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] lab on an unnamed [[ice planet]] during [[Operation Raptor Talon]].]]
Cortez's highest-profile role came in 2007, playing the younger William "Husker" Adama in flashback sequences of ''Battlestar Galactica: Razor'', also released as the web miniseries "[[Razor Flashbacks]]."<ref group="external" name="imdb_razor_flashbacks_characters_young_adama">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1334430/characters/nm1067317#:~:text=Nico%20Cortez%20as%20Young%20William%20Adama|title=Battlestar Galactica: Razor Flashbacks (TV Mini Series 2007) - Nico Cortez as Young William Adama|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He was unfamiliar with the franchise before auditioning and borrowed a copy of the [[Miniseries, Night 1|Miniseries]] from a friend to prepare. At a callback, producers asked him to read the part closer to [[Edward James Olmos]]'s performance style, and he was cast shortly afterward.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_razor_audition_prep">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%20borrowed%20the%20Miniseries%20from%20a%20friend%20of%20mine|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> Ahead of his first day on set in Vancouver, costume designer [[Glenne Campbell]] gave him a tour of the production, and he spent the intervening weekend watching the existing series in a marathon session.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_vancouver_marathon">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%20pulled%20a%20marathon%20over%20the%20weekend|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

Cortez has said he spoke with Olmos by phone for about twenty minutes before filming, where Olmos advised him to revisit the third-season episode "[[A Day in the Life]]" for insight into Adama's personal life and told him to draw on his own experience while performing.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_olmos_phone_call">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=a%2020-minute%20phone%20conversation|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> Beyond modeling Olmos's performance, Cortez has said he also drew on the energy of [[Jamie Bamber]]'s [[Lee Adama]] and [[Katee Sackhoff]]'s [[Kara Thrace]] in shaping the younger Adama's characterization.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_bamber_sackhoff_influence">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=injecting%20Jamie%20Bamber%27s%20voice|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He worked under directors [[Félix Enríquez Alcalá|Felix Alcala]] and [[Wayne Rose]] on the production and has credited both with helping him settle into a cast and crew who had already worked together across the series' first three seasons.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_directors_alcala_rose">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=Felix%20Alcala%20was%20great%20to%20work%20with|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He has spoken favorably of his scene partner [[Allison Warnyca]], who played [[Raptor]] pilot [[Jaycie McGavin]] opposite him in the flashback sequences.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_warnyca_costar">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=Allison%20was%20a%20top-class%20actress|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

Cortez has described the shoot as physically demanding, citing a flight suit that trapped heat and a parachute pack weighing roughly 90 to 95 pounds that he wore for extended stretches while posed against a rig for the flying sequences.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_physical_demands">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=weighed%2090-95%20pounds|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He wore blue contact lenses matching the pair Olmos used for the role, despite having no prior experience wearing contacts.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_blue_contacts">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=The%20same%20Edward%20James%20Olmos%20wore|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

=== Pursuit of ''Blood and Chrome'' ===

According to Cortez, producers raised the possibility of additional Adama flashback material with him while he was still on the ''Razor'' set, though nothing came of those conversations.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_additional_flashbacks_discussed">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=There%20was%20talk%20of%20doing%20some%20more%20of%20this%20stuff|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> When a young-Adama prequel series was announced under the working title ''Blood and Chrome'', Cortez exchanged emails with writer [[Michael Taylor]] to express continued interest in the role.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_blood_chrome_interest">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%20would%20be%20honored%20to%20do%20it|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> In a radio interview that aired 11 November 2010 on ''Alpha Waves Radio'', Cortez again discussed the role, saying he had slipped right into the character, and expressed willingness to reprise it.<ref group="commentary" name="imdb_cortez_alpha_waves_radio_quote">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1067317/news/#:~:text=slipped%20right%20into%20it|title=Nico Cortez - News|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> Around the same time, entertainment blog TheHDRoom reported that someone had already updated Cortez's IMDb profile to list ''Blood and Chrome'' as an upcoming project, though it cautioned this was unconfirmed speculation rather than a formal casting announcement.<ref group="production" name="thehdroom_cortez_in_or_out_husker">{{cite web|url=https://thehdroom.com/news/nico-cortez-in-or-out-as-husker-in-battlestar-galactica-blood-and-chrome-36668/#:~:text=IMDB%20listings%20can%20be%20taken%20with%20a%20grain%20of%20salt|title=Nico Cortez In or Out as Husker in Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome?|publisher=TheHDRoom|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> The part ultimately went to Pasqualino when casting was formally announced at the end of January 2011.<ref group="production" name="aicn_hibberd_pasqualino_cast_husker_2011" />

=== ''The Cape'' and ''Chuck'' ===

Cortez has said he was cast in a small role on ''[[w:The Cape (2011 TV series)|The Cape]]'' through a casting director he had worked with on ''Razor'', but that the scene was removed from the script before filming and his part was ultimately cut, where he had expected to work under director [[w:Simon West|Simon West]].<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_the_cape_cut">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%20was%20all%20set%20to%20do%20it|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He appeared as "Interpol Agent #1" in a 2010 episode of ''[[w:Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]]'', directed by [[w:Robert Duncan McNeill|Robert Duncan McNeill]], an actor known for playing [[Memoryalpha:Tom Paris|Tom Paris]] on ''[[Memoryalpha:Star Trek: Voyager|Star Trek: Voyager]]'' who later served as an executive producer on ''Chuck''. Cortez has spoken warmly of working with series' regulars [[w:Joshua Gomez|Joshua Gomez]] and [[w:Zachary Levi|Zachary Levi]] on the episode.<ref group="external" name="tvmaze_cortez_credits_chuck">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/people/22768/nico-cortez#:~:text=Interpol%20Agent%20%231|title=Nico Cortez - Credits|publisher=TVmaze|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref><ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_chuck_mcneill_director">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=director%20was%20Robert%20Duncan%20McNeill|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

=== Later television and film work ===

Cortez continued to work in episodic television into the following years, playing "Jo's Dad" in a 2011 episode of ''[[w:Eureka (TV series)|Eureka]]'', "Airstrip Employee" in a 2011 episode of ''[[w:CSI: Miami|CSI: Miami]]'', "Uni" in a 2012 episode of ''[[w:Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]]'', and "Officer Reese" in a 2013 episode of ''[[w:Southland (TV series)|Southland]]''.<ref group="external" name="tvmaze_cortez_credits_eureka_miami_dexter_southland">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/people/22768/nico-cortez#:~:text=Eureka|title=Nico Cortez - Credits|publisher=TVmaze|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

From the mid-2010s onward, most of Cortez's screen credits came from productions filmed in Australia. He played "Wal Kirzinski" in [[w:Mel Gibson|Mel Gibson]]'s ''[[w:Hacksaw Ridge|Hacksaw Ridge]]'' (2016), which was shot at [[w:Disney_Studios_Australia|Fox Studios Australia]] and around Bringelly, [[w:New South Wales|New South Wales]]. Cortez attended the film's Sydney premiere at the [[w:State_Theatre_(Sydney)|State Theatre]] alongside co-stars including [[w:Hugo Weaving|Hugo Weaving]], [[w:Luke Bracey|Luke Bracey]], and Harry Greenwood.<ref group="external" name="imdb_hacksaw_ridge_characters_wal_kirzinski">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2119532/characters/nm1067317#:~:text=Nico%20Cortez%20as%20Wal%20Kirzinski|title=Hacksaw Ridge (2016) - Nico Cortez as Wal Kirzinski|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="imdb_cortez_news_hacksaw_ridge_sydney_premiere">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1067317/news/#:~:text=Australian%20Premiere%20of%20Hacksaw%20Ridge%20in%20Sydney|title=Nico Cortez - News|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He followed this with a role as a Spanish officer among the ''Silent Mary''<nowiki/>'s ghostly crew in ''[[w:Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales|Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales]]'' (2017) that also filmed in Australia.<ref group="external" name="imdb_potc_characters_spanish_officer">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790809/characters/nm1067317/#:~:text=Nico%20Cortez%20as%20Spanish%20Officer|title=Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017) - Nico Cortez as Spanish Officer|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

He continued to appear in Australian television productions later in the decade, playing "Jamie Marshall" in a 2019 episode of ''[[w:Reef Break|Reef Break]]'' and "Guru Daniel" in a 2019 episode of the miniseries ''[[w:Les Norton|Les Norton]]''.<ref group="external" name="tvmaze_cortez_credits_reef_break_les_norton">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/people/22768/nico-cortez#:~:text=Reef%20Break|title=Nico Cortez - Credits|publisher=TVmaze|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He appeared as "Carlos" in a 2022 episode of ''[[w:The PM's Daughter|The PM's Daughter]]'' and as "Manuel" in a 2022 episode of the miniseries ''[[w:Barons (TV series)|Barons]]''.<ref group="external" name="tvmaze_cortez_credits_pms_daughter_barons">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/people/22768/nico-cortez#:~:text=The%20PM%27s%20Daughter|title=Nico Cortez - Credits|publisher=TVmaze|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> His subsequent film work includes a minor role credited as "Aztec God" in ''[[w:Thor: Love and Thunder|Thor: Love and Thunder]]'' (2022) and a supporting role credited as "Man With The Hat" in [[w:Benjamin Millepied|Benjamin Millepied]]'s ''[[w:Carmen (2022 film)|Carmen]]'' (2023).<ref group="external" name="imdb_thor_love_thunder_characters_aztec_god">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10648342/characters/nm1067317/#:~:text=Nico%20Cortez%20as%20Aztec%20God|title=Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) - Nico Cortez as Aztec God|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="rottentomatoes_cortez_carmen_man_with_the_hat">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/nico_cortez#:~:text=Man%20With%20The%20Hat|title=Nico Cortez Movies & TV Shows List|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

Cortez has said he and his wife have rescued and rehabilitated two dogs, a [[w:Retriever|Retriever]] mix and a [[w:Whippet|Whippet]], and that the couple volunteered periodically with a [[w:Greyhound|greyhound]] rescue organization.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_dogs_personal_life">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=we%20rescued%20a%20Retriever%20mix|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref> He has also described painting, in an [[w:abstract art|abstract style]], as a hobby he took up a few years before 2010.<ref group="commentary" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_painting_hobby">{{cite web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-2003-interviews/nico-cortez-galactica.tv-interview.html#:~:text=I%20also%20like%20to%20paint|title=Nico Cortez GALACTICA.TV interview|author=Damen, Marcel|publisher=GALACTICA.TV|date=28 August 2010|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref>

== Notes ==
* Cortez's early credits list him under the surname Samano, before he legally changed his professional name to Cortez early in his career.<ref group="footnotes" name="tvmaze_cortez_aka_samano">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/people/22768/nico-cortez#:~:text=Also%20known%20as,-Nico%20Samano|title=Nico Cortez - Also known as Nico Samano|publisher=TVmaze|accessdate=2 July 2026}}</ref><ref group="footnotes" name="damen_galacticatv_cortez_name_change_reason" />

== References ==

=== Notes ===
{{reflist|group=footnotes}}

=== Production History ===
{{reflist|group=production}}

=== Commentary and Interviews ===
{{reflist|group=commentary}}

=== External Sources ===
{{reflist|group=external}}

[[fr:Nico Cortez]]
[[de:Nico Cortez]]