Step Off! My Journey from Mimbo to Manhood

Recognized from Seinfeld and MTV, Dan Cortese now gives readers a personal and humorous look at the life and career of an American TV actor and host

Fans of Veronica's Closet, MTV Sports, What I Like About You, 8 Simple Rules, and Castle will relish this exclusive account of Dan’s life and career. Step Off! is a hilarious look inside the eccentric experiences of a Hollywood favorite. He discusses life from his own honest, outrageous Hollywood perspective. Cortese shares the lessons he's learned—and a few he hasn’t—working on screen for over two decades as an American actor. He also reveals details about his most rewarding job: being a father.

Step Off! is a side-splitting, heart-warming journey through Dan’s life and career, showing the hilarious and memorable aspects of acting, fame, and striving to be a super dad.

Follow the actor’s path from working in a steel mill in Pittsburgh, to the rock-climbing "Mimbo" on Seinfeld, to his life as a father of three. You’re sure to laugh with this noteworthy celebrity book from Dan Cortese.

DAN CORTESE is an actor, television personality, and author who has been working in the entertainment industry for more than twenty-five years. Dan is best known as the iconic host of MTV Sports and for his appearances in Seinfeld, Veronica's Closet, and popular TV commercials. Dan is the proud father of three children ranging in age from 1 to 19 years old.

Introduction xi

Part I Foundation 1

Chapter 1 “Well . . . How Did I GetHere?” 3

Chapter 2 “‘Job’ Isn’t Just a Book in the Bible”—No One 11

Chapter 3 School Daze 21

Chapter 4 Chapel Thrill 27

Chapter 5 Reality Check 35

Chapter 6 Ms. Jackson if You’re Nasty 41

Chapter 7 Go Big or Go Home 47

Chapter 8 My Foundation’s Foundation 51

Part II Fame 55

Chapter 9 Go West, Young Man 57

Chapter 10 From Full Time to Primetime 63

Chapter 11 Vital Idol 65

Chapter 12 Not Quite an Overnight Sensation 73

Chapter 13 Bo Knows, But Bo Don’t Know Dan 83

Chapter 14 Rock n’ Jock N’ Talkin’ 87

Chapter 15 Wait . . . People Are Actually Watching This? 93

Chapter 16 Intermission, aka MTV Sports: (A Few Random Episodes) 97

Chapter 17 A Whopper of a Deal 107

Chapter 18 Fluff Your Lips and Thrust Those Hips 113

Chapter 19 Boxers, Briefs, or Birthday Suit? 119

Chapter 20 You’re Just Not Dan Cortese Enough! 123

Chapter 21 More Dan, But Less Melrose, I Suppose 129

Chapter 22 Drinking with the General 135

Chapter 23 Nip, Tuck, and Liposuck! 143

Part III Fatherhood 151

Chapter 24 Where da Hood At? 153

Chapter 25 Wild Child Development 155

Chapter 26 Kid Party Clown 159

Chapter 27 The United Colors of Cortese 163

Chapter 28 Waiting for My Real Life to Begin 167

Chapter 29 How To? Nope. How I Do! 171

Chapter 30 Taking Matters into Your Own Hands 177

Chapter 31 To Internet or Internot? That’s the Question 183

Chapter 32 Social (Distortion) Media 187

Chapter 33 Chill Ride? Nah, I’ll Take the Thrill Ride 191

Chapter 34 The 50-Point Jump Shot 197

Acknowledgments 203

About the Author 205

Index 207

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