He's appeared in many high-profile Kiwi dramas and plays, but actor Shane Cortese is taking a new career for a spin, becoming a real estate agent.
The well-known Kiwi actor, from shows including Outrageous Fortune, The Almighty Johnsons, Nothing Trivial and Shortland Street has joined real estate company Sotheby's (NZSIR) as a licensed real estate agent.
But he insists it won't be the last time viewers see him on screen.
He will be based out of the company's Takapuna and the Herne Bay offices.
Cortese says he was first approached about entering the industry by his best friend, band mate and NZSIR's business development director Chris Jones.
"Chris said to me, 'We've seen the way you are around people; have you ever thought about this as an option? We believe you will be really good'. I didn't just jump into it. There has been a lot of thought gone into this decision and I'm very excited about it," Cortese explains.
He says the new role doesn't mean the end of his acting career, but will instead allow him to remain in New Zealand with his family, and be a bit more selective in television opportunities.
"Having a family means I can't go off to the US or England and be in a long-running television series there. I'm also very committed to New Zealand drama and would very much like to remain filming here," he says.
"However, that comes with restrictions based on the amount actors make, so I need other interests."
Cortese says he's remaining "realistic" about his celebrity status in the move into real estate,
"People are smart: It may be an opening of a door but at the end of the day their focus is selling their home or buying a property. It's all about who will be the best personality fit to achieve that."
NZSIR managing director Mark Harris says he's pleased to have Cortese join the team.
"Shane's work ethic, commitment to excellence and business sense are equal to his prominent profile. We are very excited about his prospects in the industry moving forward."
Newshub.
