Curtis Fortier

Curtis Fortier
  • BS Mechanical Engineering 1991
  • MS Mechanical Engineering 1994

Curtis Fortier chose Michigan Tech because he wanted to attend a great engineering school in Michigan. “After high school I wasn’t in the mood for a sprawling campus. I wanted something small, but still large enough so that it didn’t feel like an extension of high school. Michigan Tech for me, was the Goldilocks as far as the size of the campus and the campus community.”

“Michigan Tech prepared me very well and taught me how to work hard and problem solve. Two valuable skills both in life and in the entertainment industry.” He graduated from Tech with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering in 1991 and a master’s in mechanical engineering in 1994.

Fortier’s  first job was with Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems, a former subsidiary of General Motors. He  worked in their Development Lab where they made and tested roller-lifters for car engines. This was his first and last engineering job.

Since then he has gone on to be a stand-up comedian, SAG-AFTRA actor, writer, and a producer. “I still keep my foot in the world of science and math by tutoring kids in those subjects. But for the most part my career has progressed in a completely different direction from that charted through college. That being the case, I don’t regret a single minute of Michigan Tech  or the way my career has gone.”

“You certainly can’t control everything about your career here in Hollywood, but you can control how hard you work. Tech taught me there is no substitute for effort. Plus, if I can handle a second order differential equation with a negative 50 degree wind chill blowing, I certainly can handle a network audition.”

Fortier has performed stand-up comedy for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He guest starred on the ABC sitcom “Rodney.” He also appeared with rap legend Coolio in a sketch on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live and was in the movie “5th Passenger” with a number of Star Trek actors. He also has one of the leads in the award winning comedy/horror feature film “Secret Santa.”

He offers this advice. “Focus. Figure out what you want to do and focus on doing that. Make sure what you’re doing is fun to you, challenging, and worthy of your talent and attention. Also, make sure what you are focusing on is worthy of your talent and attention.”

June 4, 2018