Quick Facts

Kenny Ortega is a well-known American choreographer, tour manager, and filmmaker. ‘Newsies,’ ‘Hocus Pocus,’ ‘High School Musical,’ Michal Jackson’s ‘This Is It,’ ‘Descendants,’ and ‘Julie and the Pantomimes,’ among others, were directed by Kenny.

St. Elmo’s Fire, Ferris Bueller’s Day, Dirty Dancing, and Pretty in Pink were all choreographed by him. He’s proud of his work as a tour director for Hannah Montana, Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, and Cher.

What is the net worth of Kenny Ortega?

Kenny Ortega is one of the most well-known and affluent directors in the industry. In High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Kenny earned more than $250 million on a $11 million budget. On a $60 million budget, Michael Jackson’s This Is It grossed more than $260 million worldwide. As of 2022, Kenny Ortega’s net worth is $16 million.

Kenny’s greatest achievement has been establishing a name on the international scene as a result of his outstanding work. He has established himself as a mentor in his own right as a great example of hard work, persistence, and commitment.

When was Kenny Ortega born?

Kenny Ortega was born in Palo Alto, California, on April 18, 1950, to Madeline and Octavio ‘Tibby’ Ortega. His father and mother, as well as his paternal grandparents, who were Spanish immigrants, were all born in Palo Alto. Octavio worked in a factory, while Madeline worked as a waitress. Marcela Ortega is Kenny’s sister’s name.

Kenny attended Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California, and graduated with honors. He was a cheerleader and a member of the drama club at this school.

What are the age, height, and weight of Kenny Ortega?

Kenny Ortega was born on April 18, 1950, and as of 2022, he is 72 years old. He is 5 feet ten inches tall and weighs 75 kilograms.

Career

Kenny Ortega began his career as an actor, performing in Hair and Oliver! on the road. He tried with directing and choreography in the past. A San Francisco-based band, ‘The Tubes,’ spotted him on the dance floor of a club and hired him as their choreographer, touring with them for ten years. He did so after declining a lead part in the Broadway musical of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’ He was engaged by Cher to choreograph a TV special and tour with Kiss on their Dynasty Tour following his tenure with the band.

He was engaged as a choreographer for the film Xanadu in 1980, when he collaborated with Gene Kelly, his film choreography guru. During this time, he worked as a choreographer on several John Hughes films, including Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Pretty in Pink. In 1987, he choreographed the film Dirty Dancing as well as various music videos, including Material Girl by Madona, Billy Squier’s Rock Me Tonite, and Styx’s Mr. Roboto.

In 1992, he directed the Disney musical Newsies, and in 1993, he directed Hocus Pocus. Michael Jackson’s Dangerous Wild Tour was created and designed by him between 1992 and 1993, followed by the HIStory World Tour in 1996-1997 and Michael Jackson & Friends in 1999.

 

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In 2006, Kenny directed and choreographed the Disney Channel Original Movies The Cheeter Girls 2 and High School Musical. In 2007, he choreographed and directed High School Musical 2 and 3, as well as Senior Year.

Kenny began directing and choreographing Michael Jackson’s scheduled 50-show This Is It engagement at the O2 Arena, which was billed as Jackson’s farewell show in London. Following Michael Jackson’s tragic death in June 2009, this collaboration was terminated.

On July 7, 2009, he directed Michael Jackson’s Public Memorial in Los Angeles, which was broadcast live on numerous networks to an audience of about 31 million in the United States and over a billion internationally. Ortega also directed and choreographed Descendants for the Disney Channel in 2015, a film about the children of renowned Disney villains, and would return in the same position for its two sequels, Descendants 2 and Descendants 3, in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

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Awards and Achievements

Kenny’s work has earned him numerous nominations and awards, including Outstanding Director at the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2002, Outstanding Directing for Children’s Programs at the Directors Guild of America Awards in 2006, Best Choreography in a Musical at the Helpmann Awards in 2007, a Disney Legend Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019, and a Disney Legend Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019.

Who is the wife of Kenny Ortega?

Kenny Ortega openly announced his sexual orientation as gay in a 2014 interview with Bystander Revolution, an anti-bullying movement. He claims that the industry in which he works is quite welcoming, with little criticism or prejudice based on his sexual orientation. He has never been married, and little is known about his previous relationships. Kenny Ortega and Dove Cameron are said to be dating, although he has yet to confirm.