Justin Johnson Cortez, known for his roles in The CW’s Walker and Walker: Independence, returned to the screen earlier this year in Netflix’s Western drama Ransom Canyon. In the latest episode of Actors With Issues, Cortez opens up about navigating life as a working actor and devoted father. From his early days in modeling to writing scripts inspired by family, Cortez shares how authenticity, vulnerability, and adaptability have shaped his life both on and off screen.
From Modeling to Meaningful Roles
“I think I was just so excited,” Cortez shared when asked about early ‘growing pains’ as he began his pursuit of an acting career. “I went to audition for a commercial… I had to act, but it felt like I was playing sports again. I was doing something that was going to be really challenging, and it continues to be, but I was just so excited for it.”
Despite not growing up doing theater, he was drawn to the challenge and energy of acting. “There was nothing in my head that was like, ‘Oh, that’s a person like me who decided to do this thing for a living.’ It just never crossed my mind.”
His early experiences were filled with enthusiasm, but the real challenges emerged later. “As anyone who’s pursuing acting or living it and doing it as an art… it’s challenging. You never quite know what they’re gonna be or how they’re gonna pop up.”
Breaking Out of the Shell
Cortez grew up on a ranch, surrounded by nature and sports. “I was wild in my house… dancing, making up voices. But out in public, I was a little bit quieter.” Acting, he explains, helped him break out of his shell and express his goofier side. “My wife’s always saying how people, if they saw me at home, they’d be like, ‘I didn’t realize there’s this side of you.'”
He also reflected on the concept of code-switching, something many actors and creatives experience. “I’ve done that a lot in my life… people get different parts of me. It’s not on purpose, but I guess it just happens.”
The Filmmaker’s Eye
During the pandemic and industry strikes, Cortez began writing and directing short films. This behind-the-camera experience gave him a deeper understanding of production, though he maintains a focus on character. “I try to let [production awareness] go, because… you’re not just allowing yourself to be in that moment when you’re acting.”
He admits that acting and directing at the same time is a challenge. “It was more of an experiment… but I love acting so much, I tend to write myself into the things I want to make. I tend to write a lot about family, parenthood, fatherhood… kind of these alternate versions of myself.”
Family First, Always
Balancing work and family is no small feat. Cortez, a father of two daughters, is candid about the challenges. “Time away from your family is tough in general. Even if you have the means, it’s still hard.”
He recalls wishing for success when his kids were babies, but is grateful things happened when they were older. “They could understand why I was leaving. Sometimes the timing of what we want doesn’t match up with the timing of what it probably should be.”
His family understands his passion, but they come first. “If at any point they’re like, ‘This isn’t good for us,’ I’ll leave it. Because at the end of the day, they’re my world.”
Staying True and Staying Creative
When asked about mentorship, Cortez credits acting coach John Lacy and Walker: Independence co-star Matt Barr for teaching him the importance of authenticity. “You can’t try to be the idea of something. You just gotta be you.”
In today’s ever-shifting industry, Cortez acknowledges the discouragement actors may feel. “There have been moments where I’m like, ‘Am I even an actor if I’m not auditioning or working?'”
His advice? “Find another way for your creativity to be explored and fulfilled… sometimes it’s not doing a play, it might be painting, or reading more.”
You can see Justin Johnson Cortez in Walker and Walker: Independence, both streaming on HBO Max, and on Ransom Canyon streaming on Netflix.
