In 1993, per producer Joel Silver, Cortese made two separate cameos (Taco Bell Lounge singer and a Cryo Prison guard) in the hit Sylvester Stallone film "Demolition Man". Also, in 1993, Cortese landed the lead role in NBC's remake of "Route 66". In 1994, he co-starred in the CBS police drama "Traps" with Academy Award winner George C. Scott. He gained further recognition in 1995 as Jess Hanson in "Melrose Place". He played Jake Hanson's half brother for 8 episodes in the third season but he was killed off in that season's cliffhanger finale.