Kenny Ortega, is a prominent American director and producer. His success spans both TV and film, with notable choreography in films like Xanadu, Dirty Dancing, and more. He directed films like Newsies, Hocus Pocus, and Michael Jackson’s This Is It. Ortega’s influence extends to TV series like High School Musical 2, Descendants, and Julie and the Phantoms. He also choreographed for artists like Michael Jackson and Cher.
Ortega’s accolades include MTV VMA and Primetime Emmy nominations, with three wins in 2002 and 2006. He secured two ALMA Awards in 2007 and 2008, and four American Choreography Awards from 1997 to 2004. He won an Imagen Foundation Award in 2010 for Best Director. Despite nominations, he didn’t win at Black Reel, Daytime Emmy, and Gold Derby Awards.
Kenny Ortega’s Quick Bio
Contents
Birth Name | Kenneth John Ortega |
Birth Date | April 18, 1950 (Age 71) |
Birth Place | Palo Alto, California, USA |
Birth Sign | Aries |
Gender | Male |
Other Names | Kenny Ortega |
Parent(s) | Madeline Ortega, Octavio Ortega |
Sibling(s) | Mark Ortega, Debra Lee Ortega |
High School | Sequoia High School |
College | Did not attend |
Education | High school graduate |
Profession | Director, Producer, Choreographer |
Active Years | 1980- Present |
Country | USA |
Nationality | American |
Height | 5 feet 10 inches |
Weight | 75 kg |
Eye color | Brown |
Hair color | Grey |
Sexual Orientation | Gay |
Relationship | Single, Unmarried |
Spouse(s) | Unmarried |
Boyfriend(s) | N/A |
Children | No |
Tattoos | No |
Social Media Handles | |
Net worth | $14 million |
Career
What are the career highlights of Kenny Ortega?
- Being cheerleader of the school theatre group to one of the most successful producers in America, Kenny Ortega has come a long way. He started his professional career as a supporting actor in plays like Oliver! and Hair. He got a chance to produce the musical Jesus Christ Superstar but could not accept the order.
- Ortega then joined the rock band The Tubes as a choreographer, where he worked for around ten years. The newly became choreographer worked with the rock band KISS, musician Cher, and Michael Jackson. The personality has also choreographed notable events like Super Bowl XXX, the 72nd Academy Awards, the 1996 Summer Olympics, and the 2002 Winter Olympics. After the success of the concerts, and the choreographer worked in the 1980 film Xanadu. Gradually, Ortega got a chance to work with Disney, where he worked in films like High School Musical and The Cheetah Girls 2 and directed High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 3: Senior Year. He further ran and choreographed Disney television film Descendants and its sequels.
Kenny Ortega’s Personal Information
Who are Kenny Ortega’s parents?
Madeline Ortega is the mother, and Octavio Ortega is the father of the director-producer Kenny Ortega. He has two siblings, namely Mark Ortega and Debra Lee Ortega. The director was born on April 18, 1950, in Palo Alto, California, USA. Ortega attended Sequoia High School and was a cheerleader in the school theatre group. The director has a height of 5.10 feet and a weight of 75 kg.
Relationship
Is Kenny Ortega straight?
Kenny Ortega came out as gay. He never married anybody, and there is no information about his relationships. While talking about his sexuality and the industry, he expressed that the industry has been very kind to him as he barely received judgments and criticism over his sexual orientation.
Net worth
Is Kenny Ortega rich?
Kenny Ortega has gained fame as well as wealth in his career. His net worth is $14 million.
Trivia
- Kenny Ortega is 71 years old.
- He is gay.
- Ortega’s birth sign is Aries.
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