TASTY TALK: FATHER'S DAY WITH DAN CORTESE

Dan Cortese with wife Dee Dee & kids Roman (6) & India (3)

1. What does "family" mean to you?

To me my "family" is my oasis.  They're the reason I look forward to getting up every morning.  I can always count on smiles & unconditional love, no matter what the circumstances.

 2. You're known as an athletic guy.  Do you play sports with your children?

My kids are 6 and 3, so the current sports of choice include chase, hide n' seek, chase, baseball & basketball all followed up by some more chase.

 3. What's the most recent planet-friendly thing you did?  How do you teach your kids about the environment?

I recently got rid of my SUV & I've also begun to only purchase energy saving light bulbs.  As for my kids, we're all about the recycling in our house.   They enjoy it and it's become second nature to them.

4. What is it that only you can do for your kids?

Pick them up when they fall, hold them when they cry & praise them when the try.  And above all, love them with all of my being like only a father can.

5. What keeps you up at night?

Absolutely nothing!  When my head hits the pillow it's "lights out".

6. Who does the cooking in your house?  Any favorite meals?

I do most of the cooking because I enjoy it & because by the end of the day my wife deserves a little break.  My kids’ favorite meal that I make is Grilled Garlic Chicken with Pesto Pasta.

7. You and your wife, Dee Dee, were college sweethearts.  How do you keep the magic going?

We just celebrated our 13th anniversary & I think it's as simple as saying we are still those college kids who fell in love.  Relationships, especially in Hollywood, tend to become complicated thanks to extraneous events.  So, I think we've been successful by remembering what's important to us, keeping it simple and loving each other and our children. 

8. On "Veronica's Closet" your character worked in the fashion world.  How would you describe your personal style?

My style is "Comfortable, jeans & t-shirt dad who thinks he's younger than he is"!

9. On what occasions are you "Wasty"?  (ie" NOT hip, green, planet-friendly)

I always try not to be "wasty", but I basically "live" at Starbucks and go through at least 3 of their cups a day.  I need to just purchase a travel cup & use that instead.

10. What's the tastiest thing about your family?

The tastiest things about my family are those "tasty" kisses I get from my kids.  I cherish each one, because as all parents know, they don't last forever.