Kenny Ortega

Kenny Ortega net worth is $10 Million. Also know about Kenny Ortega bio, salary, height, age weight, relationship and more …

Kenny Ortega Wiki Biography

Kenneth John Ortega was born on 18 April 1950 in Palo Alto, California USA, of Spanish descent, and is a film director, producer and choreographer. His most popular works have included directing ‘Hocus Pocus’, the ‘High School Musical trilogy’ and Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ concerts.

So just how rich is Kenny Ortega? Current indications are that Kenny has an estimated net worth of $10 million; the sources of Kenny’s wealth are films, television, music and concerts, as Ortega has accumulated his wealth while working in all these media.

Kenny Ortega’s family was average, with his mother, Madeline, being a waitress and his father, Octavio ‘Tibby’ Ortega, a factory worker. Kenny was educated at Sequioa High School in Redwood City, California, but then took some time to find his way into the entertainment industry. His net worth account was opened in 1980, with ‘Xanadu’, the romantic musical fantasy film written by Richard Christian Danus and Marc Reid Rubel, and directed by Robert Greenwald on which Kenny worked as a choreographer. He continued with ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ directed by Joel Schumacher, ‘Pretty in Pink’ directed by Howard Deutch, ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ produced and directed by John Hughes,  ‘Salsa’ directed by Boaz Davidson, ‘Shag’ directed by Zelda Barron, and in particular ‘Dirty Dancing’ directed by Emile Ardolino, which became iconic in the world of film musicals.

Kenny increased his net worth while working not only as a choreographer, but also a director in the musical drama film produced by Walt Disney Pictures, ‘Newsies’ produced by Michael Finnell, teen/children’s romantic comedy musical television film ‘High School Musical’ trilogy, and the musical ‘The Cheetah Girls 2’ produced by Deborah Gregory and Whitney Houston. Ortega also raised his net worth by directing the horror comedy film ‘Hocus Pocus’, and ‘Michael Jackson‘s This Is It’ documentary–concert film, among others.

Furthermore, Kenny Ortega added to his net worth while working in television. He directed two episodes of the television series ‘Dirty Dancing’, two episodes of the musical teen drama series ‘Hull High’, an episode of the television drama ‘Second Noah’, two episodes of ‘Chicago Hope’ – medical drama television series created by David E. Kelley, an episode of ‘Resurrection Blvd.’, an episode of the sitcom ‘Grounded for Life’, comedy drama series ‘Ally McBeal’, episodes of the ‘Gilmore Girls’ comedy drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, an episode of ‘Phineas and Ferb’ musical comedy and an episode of ‘Bunheads’ comedy drama series.

Moreover, a big part of Kenny’s work was in concerts, so he increased his net worth while being the director and choreographer of  Cher’s ‘Heart of Stone’ tour, Michael Jackson’s ‘Dangerous World’, ‘HIStory’ world tours and ‘This is It’ concerts. Ortega’s net worth rose after he worked as a choreographer and director of Gloria Estefan’s ‘Live & Unwrapped’, and Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus‘ ‘Best of Both’ world tours. Kenny Ortega added further to his net worth showing himself on the big screen in the film ‘Mario’, Paul Thomas Paw role in ‘The Revenge Rampage’ and Puncher John role in ‘Spies’.

In 2008, Kenny received ALMA Award Special, Achievement Award Outstanding Director. In 2009, he received Outstanding Achievement Award from National Association of Latino Independent Producers and Jackie Coogan Award, Contribution to Youth, from 30th Young Artist Awards.

Kenny is very careful to keep his personal life private – consequently rumours abound of his sexuality, which bother him not at all.

IMDB Wikipedia $10 million 1950 Actor Amy Sherman-Palladino April 18 Boaz Davidson California Choreographer Cinema of the United States David E. Kelley Deborah Gregory Dirty Dancing Emile Ardolino Entertainment Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Film Film director Film producer Gloria Estefan Hannah Montana High School Musical Hocus Pocus Howard Deutch Hull High Joel Schumacher John Hughes Kenneth John Ortega Kenneth Ortega Kenny Ortega Kenny Ortega Net Worth Madeline Madeline Ortega Marc Reid Rubel Michael Finnell Michael Jackson Michael Jackson’s This Is It Miley Cyrus Net worth Newsies Octavio ‘Tibby’ Ortega Octavio Ortega Palo Alto Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music Producers Richard Christian Danus Robert Greenwald Salsa Television Director Television Producer United States United States of America Whitney Houston Zelda Barron

Kenny Ortega Quick Info

Full Name Kenny Ortega
Net Worth $10 Million
Date Of Birth April 18, 1950
Place Of Birth Palo Alto, California, United States
Profession Film Producer, Television Director, Choreographer, Actor, Television producer, Film director
Nationality American
Spouse Flora Pérez, Rosalía Mera
Children Sandra Ortega Mera, Marta Ortega Perez, Marcos Ortega Mera
Parents Octavio Ortega, Madeline Ortega
Siblings Debra Lee Ortega, Mark Ortega, Antonio Ortega, Pilar Ortega Gaona, Josefa Ortega Gaona
Nicknames Kenneth John Ortega , Kenneth Ortega
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/kennyortegablog
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/kennyortegablog
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/official_kenny_ortega
IMDB http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0650905
Awards Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography, ALMA Award Special, Jackie Coogan Award, Contribution to Youth, from 30th Young Artist Awards,
Nominations Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
Movies High School Musical, Descendants, Michael Jackson’s This Is It, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Hocus Pocus, High School Musical 2, Newsies, The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again, Descendants 2, The Cheetah Girls 2, And God Created Woman, Legally Mad, XIX Winter Olympics Op…

Kenny Ortega Quotes

  • There’s an old Fred Astaire movie where the stage becomes bigger and deeper and more complex. Moments like that really did impact on me and influence me. I want to bring a little of that to High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)–that the whole world is a stage.
  • [on what he learned from his mentor, Gene Kelly] If you didn’t understand how to design your choreography for the camera, then you were shortchanging yourself and would never come to fully realize your worth. It would have meant very little if I hadn’t come to understand technically how to put the work up.

Kenny Ortega Important Facts

  • He is of Spanish descent.
  • Longtime friend of Josh Carmichael.
  • Longtime personal friend and choreographer to Michael Jackson.
  • On set, if he catches an actor or actress yawning, he forces them to pay him a dollar. After production he donates all the proceeds to “The Make a Wish Foundation”.
  • As of 2007, he has directed three out of the four successful Disney Channel Original Movies with High School Musical (2006), The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006) and High School Musical 2 (2007).
  • Has worked with Madonna, Cher, Gloria Estefan and Elton John.

Kenny Ortega Filmography

Title Year Status Character Role
A Change of Heart 2017 completed Director
Descendants 2 2017 TV Movie post-production Director
Dirty Dancing announced Director
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again 2016 TV Movie Director
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend 2016 TV Series 1 episode Director
Descendants 2015 TV Movie Director
The Making of Frozen 2014 Short Director
Bunheads 2012 TV Series 1 episode Director
The Playboy Club 2011 TV Series 1 episode Director
Legally Mad 2010 TV Movie Director
Dome Project 2010 Video short Director
This Is It 2009 Documentary Director
Michael Jackson Memorial 2009 TV Movie documentary creative director Director
High School Musical 3: Senior Year 2008 Director
High School Musical 2 2007 TV Movie Director
Gilmore Girls 2002-2006 TV Series 12 episodes Director
The Cheetah Girls 2 2006 TV Movie Director
High School Musical 2006 TV Movie Director
Billy Squier: Video Hits 2005 Video short segment “Rock Me Tonight” Director
Ally McBeal 2001-2002 TV Series 3 episodes Director
XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony 2002 TV Movie Director
Grounded for Life 2001 TV Series 1 episode Director
Resurrection Blvd. 2000 TV Series 1 episode Director
Chicago Hope 1998-1999 TV Series 2 episodes Director
Wasteland 1999 TV Series 1 episode Director
Fame L.A. 1997 TV Series Director
Second Noah 1996 TV Series 1 episode Director
Hocus Pocus: Begin the Magic 1994 TV Movie documentary Director
Hocus Pocus 1993 Director
Newsies 1992 Director
Hull High 1990 TV Series 3 episodes Director
Dirty Dancing 1988 TV Series 2 episodes Director
Red Hot Rock 1984 Video segment “Breakin’ Together” Director
Descendants 2015 TV Movie choreographer Miscellaneous
This Is It 2009 Documentary choreographer Miscellaneous
High School Musical 3: Senior Year 2008 choreographer Miscellaneous
Awilda and a Bee 2008 Short caterer Miscellaneous
Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert 2008 Documentary concert conceived & produced by / stage director Miscellaneous
High School Musical 2 2007 TV Movie choreographer Miscellaneous
High School Musical: The Concert – Extreme Access Pass 2007 Video choreographer / concert creator / concert producer Miscellaneous
High School Musical 2006 TV Movie choreographer Miscellaneous
XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony 2002 TV Movie supervising choreographer Miscellaneous
The Way She Moves 2001 TV Movie choreographer Miscellaneous
Grounded for Life 2001 TV Series choreographer – 1 episode Miscellaneous
Wasteland 1999 TV Series choreographer Miscellaneous
Quest for Camelot 1998 choreographer Miscellaneous
Centennial Olympic Games: Opening Ceremonies 1996 TV Special choreographer Miscellaneous
To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar 1995 choreographer Miscellaneous
Hocus Pocus 1993 choreographer Miscellaneous
Newsies 1992 choreographer Miscellaneous
Hull High 1990 TV Series choreographer – 8 episodes Miscellaneous
Shag 1989/I choreographer Miscellaneous
Neil Diamond: Greatest Hits Live 1988 Video documentary choreographer Miscellaneous
Mickey’s 60th Birthday 1988 TV Movie choreographer Miscellaneous
The Great Outdoors 1988 choreographer Miscellaneous
Salsa 1988 choreographer Miscellaneous
And God Created Woman 1988 choreography consultant Miscellaneous
Totally Minnie 1988 TV Movie choreographer Miscellaneous
Dirty Dancing 1987 choreographer Miscellaneous
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off 1986 choreographer Miscellaneous
Pretty in Pink 1986 choreographer Miscellaneous
St. Elmo’s Fire 1985 choreographer Miscellaneous
Super Night of Rock ‘n’ Roll 1984 TV Movie choreographer Miscellaneous
Olivia Newton-John: Let’s Get Physical 1982 TV Movie choreographer Miscellaneous
The Tubes: Tubes Video 1982 Video choreographer Miscellaneous
One from the Heart 1981 choreographer Miscellaneous
Xanadu 1980 choreographer Miscellaneous
Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights 1980 TV Special choreographer Miscellaneous
Dirty Dancing producer announced Producer
Descendants 2015 TV Movie executive producer Producer
This Is It 2009 Documentary producer: live show Producer
High School Musical 3: Senior Year 2008 executive producer Producer
Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert 2008 Documentary producer Producer
High School Musical 2 2007 TV Movie co-producer Producer
High School Musical: The Concert – Extreme Access Pass 2007 Video producer Producer
Live and Unwrapped 2004 Video producer Producer
The Disco Ball 2003 TV Special producer Producer
XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony 2002 TV Movie producer Producer
The Way She Moves 2001 TV Movie co-executive producer Producer
Hull High 1990 TV Series co-executive producer – 2 episodes Producer
Salsa 1988 associate producer Producer
Tarmun announced Obazi (rumored) Actor
Awilda and a Bee 2008 Short Male School Spelling Bee judge Actor
Chicago Hope 1998 TV Series Ellston McCool Actor
And God Created Woman 1988 Mike Actor
Dome Project 2010 Video short written by Writer
Timeless: Live in Concert 2001 TV Special documentary Writer
Salsa 1988 second unit director Assistant Director
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off 1986 second unit director Assistant Director
Michael Jackson Memorial 2009 TV Movie documentary performer: “We Are The World” Soundtrack
Salsa 1988 performer: “Good Lovin'” Soundtrack
Dangerous: The Short Films 1993 Video stage design Art Department
This Is It 2009 Documentary acknowledgment: original concert production created by / acknowledgment: original concert production directed by Thanks
The Dream Studio 2004 Video documentary short special thanks Thanks
Last of the Showmen 2018 Documentary filming Himself Self
Move Documentary filming Himself Self
Shapes of Rhythm: The Music of Galt MacDermot Documentary post-production Himself – Interviewee: Director Self
World Choreography Awards 2015 Video Himself Self
Piper’s Picks TV 2015 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Made in Hollywood: Teen Edition 2015 TV Series Himself Self
Underground Dance Masters: Final History of a Forgotten Era 2015 Documentary Xanadu Choreographer Self
Bystander Revolution 2014 TV Series documentary Himself Self
Autopsy: The Last Hours Of 2014 TV Series Himself Self
Move TV 2012-2013 TV Series Himself Self
American Latino TV 2013 TV Series Himself Self
So You Think You Can Dance 2010-2013 TV Series Himself – Guest Judge Self
Phineas and Ferb 2011 TV Series Himself Self
Le grand journal de Canal+ 2010 TV Series documentary Himself Self
Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’: Staging the Return – Beyond the Show 2010 Video documentary short Himself Self
Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’: Auditions – Searching for the World’s Best Dancers 2010 Video documentary short Himself Self
Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’: Memories of Michael 2010 Video documentary short Himself Self
Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’: Staging the Return – The Adventure Begins 2010 Video documentary short Himself Self
Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’: The Gloved One 2010 Video documentary short Himself Self
All Access: Making Michael Jackson’s This Is It 2010 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
15th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards 2010 TV Special Himself Self
Doc Talk 2010 TV Series Himself Self
This Is It 2009 Documentary Himself Self
Xposé 2009 TV Series Himself Self
Entertainment Tonight 2009 TV Series Himself Self
Live from Studio Five 2009 TV Series Himself Self
The Oprah Winfrey Show 2009 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Michael Jackson Memorial 2009 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
Larry King Live 2009 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
The Movie Loft 2009 TV Series Himself Self
High School Musical 3 Special 2009 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
HSM3: Cast Goodbyes 2009 Video documentary short Himself Self
HSM3: It’s All in the Dress 2009 Video documentary short Himself Self
HSM3: New Cast Profiles 2009 Video documentary short Himself Self
HSM3: Prom – The Night of Nights 2009 Video documentary short Himself Self
HSM3: Senior Awards 2009 Video documentary short Himself Self
Disney Get Connected 2009 TV Series Himself Self
So You Think You Can Dance Canada 2008 TV Series Himself – Guest Judge Self
HSM2: In the Kitchen 2008 Video documentary short Himself Self
HSM2: Making of Humuhumunukunukuapua’a 2008 Video documentary short Himself Self
HSM2: On Location 2008 Video documentary short Himself Self
Going Back to Xanadu 2008 Video Himself Self
Good Morning America 2008 TV Series Himself – Guest Self
Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert 2008 Documentary Himself – Tour Director Self
Portrait of a Choreographer 2007 Video short Himself Self
HSM2: Anatomy of a Dance Number 2007 Video documentary short Himself – Director / Choreographer Self
HSM2: Rehearsal Cam 2007 Video documentary short Himself – Director / Choreographer Self
HSM2: The Making of a Music Scene 2007 Video documentary short Himself – Director Self
Disney 365 2007 TV Series documentary Self
Dancing with the Stars 2006 TV Series Himself Self
Greatest Movie Love Scenes 2006 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
2006 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards 2006 TV Special Himself – Winner: Outstanding Choreography Self
The 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 2002 TV Special Himself – Winner: Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program Self
American Masters 2002 TV Series documentary Himself Self
Hocus Pocus: Begin the Magic 1994 TV Movie documentary Himself – Director Self
Movie Magic 1994 TV Series documentary Himself Self
Blood Drips Heavily on Newsies Square 1991 Video short Himself Self
America’s Dance Honors 1990 TV Special Himself Self
Salsa 1988 Himself Self
Making Xanadu: The Musical Fantasy Movie 1980 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
Descendants: Set It Off! 2015 TV Movie Himself Archive Footage
Entertainment Tonight 2009 TV Series Himself Archive Footage

Kenny Ortega Awards

Year Award Ceremony Nomination Movie Category
2016 DGA Award Directors Guild of America, USA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs Descendants (2015) Won
2010 Imagen Award Imagen Foundation Awards Best Director – Film This Is It (2009) Won
2009 Jackie Coogan Award Young Artist Awards For the “High School Musical” films. Won
2008 ALMA Award ALMA Awards Outstanding Director of a Made-for-TV Movie High School Musical 2 (2007) Won
2007 ALMA Award ALMA Awards Outstanding Director – Television Series, Mini-Series, Television Movie High School Musical (2006) Won
2007 DGA Award Directors Guild of America, USA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs High School Musical (2006) Won
2006 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Choreography High School Musical (2006) Won
2004 Career Achievement Award American Choreography Awards, USA Won
2002 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Choreography XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (2002) Won
2002 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (2002) Won
2002 American Choreography Award American Choreography Awards, USA Outstanding Achievement in Television – Variety or Special XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (2002) Won
1998 American Choreography Award American Choreography Awards, USA Outstanding Achievement in Television – Episodic Chicago Hope (1994) Won
1997 American Choreography Award American Choreography Awards, USA Outstanding Achievement in Television – Variety or Special Won
2016 DGA Award Directors Guild of America, USA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs Descendants (2015) Nominated
2010 Imagen Award Imagen Foundation Awards Best Director – Film This Is It (2009) Nominated
2009 Jackie Coogan Award Young Artist Awards For the “High School Musical” films. Nominated
2008 ALMA Award ALMA Awards Outstanding Director of a Made-for-TV Movie High School Musical 2 (2007) Nominated
2007 ALMA Award ALMA Awards Outstanding Director – Television Series, Mini-Series, Television Movie High School Musical (2006) Nominated
2007 DGA Award Directors Guild of America, USA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs High School Musical (2006) Nominated
2006 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Choreography High School Musical (2006) Nominated
2004 Career Achievement Award American Choreography Awards, USA Nominated
2002 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Choreography XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (2002) Nominated
2002 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (2002) Nominated
2002 American Choreography Award American Choreography Awards, USA Outstanding Achievement in Television – Variety or Special XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (2002) Nominated
1998 American Choreography Award American Choreography Awards, USA Outstanding Achievement in Television – Episodic Chicago Hope (1994) Nominated
1997 American Choreography Award American Choreography Awards, USA Outstanding Achievement in Television – Variety or Special Nominated