Kenny Ortega is a well-known choreographer, tour manager, and filmmaker from the United States. Kenny directed several well-known films, including ‘Newsies,’ ‘Hocus Pocus,’ ‘High School Musical,’ Michal Jackson’s ‘This Is It,’ ‘Descendants,’ and ‘Julie and the Pantomimes.’
He also choreographed the motion pictures St. Elmo’s Fire, Ferris Bueller’s Day, Dirty Dancing, and Pretty in Pink. He takes pride in having directed numerous concert tours for Hannah Montana, Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, and Cher.
Quick Facts
| Celebrated Name: | Kenny Ortega |
| Real Name/Full Name: | Kenneth Miller Ortega |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 73 years old |
| Birth Date: | 18 April 1950 |
| Birth Place: | Palo Alto, Califonia |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 inch |
| Weight: | 75 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Gay |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Wife/Spouse (Name): | N/A |
| Children/Kids (Son and Daughter): | No |
| Dating/Girlfriend (Name): | N/A |
| Is Kenny Ortega Gay?: | Yes |
| Profession: | Director, Choreographer, Producer |
| Salary: | Unknown |
| Net Worth in 2024: | $16 million |
| Last Updated: | August 2024 |
Kenny Ortega Biography
Kenny Ortega was born on April 18, 1950, in Palo Alto, California, the son of 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 club and a cheerleader at this school.
Kenny Ortega Age, Height, Weight
Kenny Ortega was born on April 18, 1950, He is 73 years old as of 2024. He stands 5 ft 10 inches tall and weighs 75 kg.
Career
Kenny Ortega began his career as an actor, appearing in touring productions of Hair and Oliver! Previously, he dabbled in directing and choreography. He was discovered on the dance floor of a club by a San Francisco-based band, ‘The Tubes,’ and became the band’s choreographer, touring with them for ten years. This came after he turned down a lead role in the production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’ Following his time with the band, he was hired by Cher 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 mentor in film choreography. He worked as a choreographer for several John Hughes films during this time period, 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 Madona, Rock Me Tonite by Billy Squier, and Mr. Roboto by Styx, in 1987.
He directed the Disney musical Newsies for the first time in 1992, and Hocus Pocus followed in 1993. Between 1992 and 1993, he collaborated with Michael Jackson to create and design Jackson’s Dangerous Wild Tour, followed by the HIStory World Tour in 1996-1997 and Michael Jackson & Friends in 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; Senior Year in 2007.
Kenny began directing and choreographing Michael Jackson’s planned 50-date This Is It concert residency, which was billed as Jackson’s final concert in London, to take place at the O2 Arena. This collaboration was later canceled following Michael Jackson’s untimely death in June 2009.
He would direct Michael Jackson’s Public Memorial in Los Angeles, which was broadcast live on several networks on July 7, 2009, reaching an audience of approximately 31 million in the United States and more than a billion worldwide. Ortega also directed and choreographed Descendants, a film based on the children of legendary Disney villains, for the Disney Channel in 2015, and would return in the same capacity for its two sequels, Descendants 2 and Descendants 3 in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
Kenny Ortega Achievements and Awards
Kenny has received numerous nominations and awards for his work, 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, and a Disney Legend Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019.
Kenny Ortega’s Net Worth in 2024
Kenny Ortega is regarded as one of the most well-known and wealthy directors. Kenny made more than $250 million on an $11 million budget in High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Michael Jackson’s This Is It earned more than $260 million worldwide on a $60 million budget. Kenny Ortega’s net worth is $16 million as of March 2024.
Kenny’s greatest achievement has been having a name on the global stage after working on top pieces of work. As a true example of hard work, resilience, and commitment, he has established himself as a mentor in his own right.
Kenny Ortega Wife, Marriage
In a 2014 interview with Bystander Revolution, an anti-bullying organization, Kenny Ortega publicly declared his sexual orientation as gay. He stated that the industry he works in is very accepting, with almost no criticism or judgment based on his sexual orientation. He has never married, and no other information about his previous relationships is known. Dove Cameron and Kenny Ortega are rumored to be dating, but he has yet to confirm this.
