Kenny Ortega is a famous choreographer, tour manager and film director from the United States. Kenny has directed several famous films including ‘Newsies’, ‘Hocus Pocus’, ‘High School Musical’, Michal Jackson’s ‘This Is It’, ‘Descendants’ and ‘Julie and the Pantomimes’.
He also choreographed the films St. Elmo’s Fire, Ferris Bueller’s Day, Dirty Dancing and Pretty in Pink. He is proud to have directed numerous concert tours for Hannah Montana, Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan and Cher.
Fast facts
| Famous name: | Kenny Ortega |
| Real name/Full name: | Kenneth Miller Ortega |
| Sex: | Male |
| Age: | 72 years old |
| Date of birth: | April 18, 1950 |
| Birth place: | Palo Alto, California |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 5 feet 10 inches |
| Weight: | 75 kg |
| Sexual orientation: | gay |
| Marriage status: | Married |
| Wife/spouse (name): | ON |
| Children/children (son and daughter): | Not |
| Date/Girlfriend (name): | ON |
| Is Kenny Ortega gay?: | That |
| Profession: | Director, choreographer, producer |
| Salary: | Unknown |
| Net worth in 2023: | 16 million dollars |
| Last update: | August 2023 |
Biography of Kenny Ortega
Kenny Ortega was born on April 18, 1950, in Palo Alto, California, to Madeline and Octavio ‘Tibby’ Ortega. Both his father and mother were born in Palo Alto, as were his paternal grandparents, who were Spanish immigrants. Madeline worked as a waitress, while Octavio worked in a factory. Kenny’s sister’s name is Marcela Ortega.
Kenny graduated from Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California. He was an active member of the drama section and cheerleader of this school.
Kenny Ortega Age, height, weight
Kenny Ortega was born on April 18, 1950, as of 2022 he is 72 years old. He is 5 ft 10 inches tall and weighs 75 kg.
Kenny Ortega
Career
Kenny Ortega began his career as an actor, appearing in touring productions of Hair and Oliver! Previously, he directed and choreographed. He was discovered on the dance floor of a club by a band from San Francisco, ‘The Tubes’, and became the band’s choreographer, with whom he toured for ten years. This happened after he turned down the lead role in the production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. After his time in the band, Cher hired him to choreograph a TV special and tour with Kiss on their Dynasty tour.
In 1980, he was hired as a choreographer for the film Xanadu, where he worked with Gene Kelly, his film choreography mentor. During this period he worked as a choreographer for several John Hughes films, including Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Pretty in Pink. He choreographed the film Dirty Dancing as well as several music videos, including Material Girl by Madonna, Rock Me Tonite by Billy Squier and Mr. Roboto by Styx 1987.
He directed the Disney musical Newsies for the first time in 1992, followed by Hocus Pocus in 1993. Between 1992 and 1993, he collaborated with Michael Jackson on the creation and design of Jackson’s Dangerous Wild Tour, followed by the 1996-1997 HIStory World Tour. . Michael Jackson & Friends 1999
Kenny directed and choreographed The Cheeter Girls 2 and High School Musical, both Disney Channel Original Movies in 2006. He choreographed and directed High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 3; Graduate student in 2007.
Kenny began directing and choreographing Michael Jackson’s planned 50-show This Is It residency, billed as Jackson’s final concert in London, to be held at the O2 Arena. This collaboration was later canceled after Michael Jackson’s untimely death in June 2009.
He will direct the Public Memorial to Michael Jackson in Los Angeles, which aired live on several networks on July 7, 2009, reaching an audience of approximately 31 million in the United States and over one billion worldwide. Ortega also directed and choreographed Descendants, a film based on the children of iconic Disney villains, for Disney Channel in 2015, and would return in the same capacity for its two sequels, Descendants 2 and Descendants 3 in 2017 and 2019.
Kenny Ortega’s achievements and awards
Kenny has received numerous nominations and awards for his work, including Outstanding Director at the 2002 Primetime Emmy Awards, Outstanding Directing for a Children’s Program at the 2006 Directors Guild of America Awards, Best Choreography in a Musical at the 2007 Helpmann Awards, and the Disney Legend Award and star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 2019
Kenny Ortega Net Worth in 2023
Kenny Ortega is considered one of the most famous and richest directors. Kenny grossed over $250 million on an $11 million budget in High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Michael Jackson’s This Is It grossed over $260 million worldwide on a $60 million budget. Kenny Ortega net worth is $16 million as of August 2023.
Kenny’s greatest achievement was making a name for himself on the global stage after working on top-notch works. As a true example of hard work, resilience and dedication, he profiled himself as a mentor.
Kenny Ortega Wife, Marriage
In a 2014 interview with Bystander Revolution, an anti-violence organization, Kenny Ortega publicly stated that he is gay. He stated that the industry he works in is very accepting, with almost no criticism or judgment based on his sexual orientation. He never married, and other information about his previous relationships is unknown. Dove Cameron and Kenny Ortega are rumored to be dating, but he has yet to confirm it.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education