Milhem Cortaz embarked on his career in the film industry by studying under the tutelage of renowned Brazilian director Antunes Filho. This formative experience laid the groundwork for his future artistic endeavors. Subsequently, he traveled to Italy, where he spent a significant three-year period honing his craft at the prestigious Piccollo Teatro de Milano. During this time, he delved into the intricacies of Comedy Dell'arte and other techniques, further refining his skills as a thespian.
Upon returning to his native Brazil, Cortaz began to make his mark in the film industry, starting with his early work on the movie "Olhos de Vampa". This initial foray into the world of cinema was soon followed by a flurry of invitations to collaborate on various projects within the Brazilian movie industry. One of his most notable early roles was in the critically acclaimed film "Carandiru", directed by the esteemed Hector Babenco, where he portrayed the character of Peixeira, a formidable and dangerous killer.
Cortaz's subsequent projects included the films "Blue Blood", "The Gorila", and "The Woolf behind the door", among many others. His versatility as an actor has allowed him to seamlessly transition between diverse roles and genres, cementing his status as a respected and sought-after talent in the Brazilian film industry.
As a testament to his linguistic abilities, Cortaz is fluent in not one, not two, but three languages: Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian. This linguistic proficiency has undoubtedly facilitated his ability to navigate the global film industry with ease, allowing him to collaborate with artists and filmmakers from diverse cultural backgrounds.