JW Cortés is a multifaceted individual whose career spans military service, law enforcement, and acting. Born in 1975 in Brooklyn, New York, to Puerto Rican parents, Cortés enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after high school, serving for 13 years, including a deployment to Iraq. Following his military service, he transitioned to law enforcement, working as an officer with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department (MTAPD) in New York City. Pursuing his passion for the arts, Cortés trained at the William Esper Studio and has appeared in various television series, most notably portraying Detective Carlos Alvarez in the FOX series "Gotham." His dedication to service and the arts has made him a respected figure in multiple communities