Kenny Ortega
Biography
Kenny Ortega is an American director, producer, and choreographer who began as an actor in touring productions of Oliver! and Hair before turning to choreography. Born in Palo Alto, California, he choreographed The Tubes, Cher, and Kiss, then worked on films such as Xanadu, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Dirty Dancing. He made his directorial debut with the Disney musical Newsies (1992) and followed it with Hocus Pocus (1993). He directed and choreographed High School Musical (2006), The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006), and the High School Musical sequels, plus the Descendants films. He created Michael Jackson's concert tours and directed the documentary Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009). His honors include a Hollywood Walk of Fame star and a Disney Legend Award in 2019. He also directed the Netflix series Julie and the Phantoms.
76years old
Turns 77 on April 18in 159 days
- Born Palo Alto
- Star sign: AriesThe sign runs March 21 to April 19
- Also credited as Kenneth John Ortega, Kenneth Ortega and Kenny
Movie Career
- Films
- 4
- Career span
- 30 years1988 to 2018
Every film, newest first
- 2018Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween BashIMDb rating 6.4
- 2009This Is ItIMDb rating 7.2
- 2008Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds ConcertIMDb rating 2.8
- 1988And God Created WomanIMDb rating 4.5
Genres
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A role that slipped away
Ortega was offered the lead in a Jesus Christ Superstar production but declined it. He instead became a choreographer for The Tubes, a San Francisco band whose members had seen him dancing in a club.
Early training
In 1980, Ortega joined the film Xanadu as one of its choreographers. Gene Kelly mentored him there into choreographing for film.
First role
Ortega's first directing job was the 1992 Disney musical Newsies, and Hocus Pocus came next in 1993. Neither did well at the box office, but each later drew a sizable cult following.
A role that slipped away
Ortega was going to direct the 2011 Footloose remake, but he left the project in October 2009. He and Paramount disagreed about the film's budget and its tone.
A role that slipped away
Universal brought Ortega on to direct a movie version of the Broadway musical In the Heights, but in 2011 the studio let the project go because of casting and budgetary issues.
Kenny Ortega movies on Netflix
Worked with
Kenny Ortega made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Frank Langella's page
Doug Jones's page
Gary Grubbs's page
Kathy Najimy's page
Bette Midler's page
Sarah Jessica Parker's page
Bruce HendricksDirector, 1 film, 2008
All films by Bruce Hendricks
All films by Roger Vadim
Joe DeMaioDirector, 1 film, 2018
All films by Joe DeMaio
Awards
Six awards and honors from 2002 to 2019, one of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emmy Awards | |||
| 2002 | Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series | 2002 Winter Olympics opening ceremony | Won |
| Other honors | |||
| 2019 | Disney Legends | Honored | |
| American Choreography Awards | Won | ||
| Directors Guild of America Award | Won | ||
| Helpmann Award for Best Choreography in a Musical | Won | ||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.