| Celebrated Name: | Kenny Ortega |
| Real Name/Full Name: | Kenneth Miller Ortega |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 74 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: | April 2024 |
Kenny Ortega is a well renowned American choreographer, touring manager and filmmaker. Several famous films like ‘Newsies’, Hocus Pocus’, ’High School Musical’, Michal Jackson’s ,’This is it’, ‘Descendants’ and ‘Julie and the Pantoms’ were directed by Kenny.
He also choreographed the films, St. Elmo’s fire, Ferries Bueller’s Day, Dirty Dancing and Pretty in Pink.
He prides himself in directing multiple concert tours for Hannah Montana, Michael Jackson Gloria Estefan and Cher.
Maybe you know about Kenny Ortega very well But do you know how old and tall is he and what is his net worth in 2024? If you do not know, We have prepared this article about details of Kenny Ortega’s short biography-wiki, career, professional life, personal life, wife, girlfriend, dating, divorce, kids, today’s net worth, age, height, weight, and more facts. Well, if you’re ready, let’s start.
Early Life & Biography
Born on 18 April 1950 in Palo Alto, California in the US, he is son to Madeline his mother and Octavio ‘Tibby’ Ortega his father. Both the father and the mother were also born in Palo Alto though his paternal grandparents were of Spanish origin who came in as immigrants. Madeline was a waitress while his father Octavio was a factory worker. Kenny has a sister known as Marcela Ortega.
Kenny attended Sequoia High School in Redwood City in California. In this school, he was an ardent participant in the drama group and a cheerleader.
Age, Height, Weight and Body Measurements
Being born on 18 April 1950, Kenny Ortega is 74 years old as of today’s date 24th April 2024. His height is 5 ft 10 inch tall, and weight is 75 kg.
Personal Life: wife, girlfriend, dating, divorce, kids
Kenny Ortega publicly declared in 2014 on his sexual orientation as gay in an interview with Bystander Revolution; an anti-bullying organization. He expressed that the industry he serves was very accommodative with barely any single criticism or judgement over his sexual orientation. He has never married anybody and other information on his past relationships have not been known either.
Rumours exist of a relationship between Dove Cameron and Kenny Ortega, but he has not confirmed such yet.
Career
Ortega started his career as an actor featuring in touring productions of Hair and Oliver! Before he would venture into directing and choreography. He was spotted by a San Francisco-based band, ‘The Tubes’ on the dance floor in a club and become the choreographer, touring with it for ten years.
This was after he turned down an offer for a leading role in the production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. After serving the band, he was contracted by Cher to choreograph a TV special and tour with Kiss on their Dynasty Tour.
He was hired as a choreographer on the film Xanadu in 1980 where he worked with Gene Kelly who was his mentor in film choreography. It is in this same period when he served as a choreographer for several John Hughes’s films including Ferris Bueller’s Day off and Pretty in Pink.
In 1987, he choreographed the film Dirty Dancing and several music videos such as Material Girl by Madona, Rock Me Tonite by Billy Squier and Mr Roboto by Styx.
In 1992 he served as director for the first time with the Disney musical Newsies, and in 1993,Hocus Pocus followed.
He partnered with Michael Jackson to create and design Jackson’s Dangerous wild Tour between 1992 and 1993, HIStory World Tour in 1996-1997 and Michhael Jackson &Friends in 1999.
Coming to the 2000’s, Kenny directed and choreographed The Cheeter Girls 2 and High School Musical which were Disney Channel Original Movies in 2006.
In 2007, he served as choreographer and director for High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 3;Senior Year in 2008.
Kenny began directing and choreographing the scheduled Michael Jackson’s 50-date , This Is It concert residency which was billed as Jackson’s final concerts in London which was to happen at the O2 Arena. This was collaboration was later cancelled after Michael Jackson’s sudden death in June 2009.
He would direct at Staples Centre; Michael Jackson’s Public Memorial in Los Angeles which was broadcast live on 7 July 2009 on several networks reaching an audience of approximately 31 million in America and more than a billion globally.
Ortega also directed and choreographed for the Disney Channel in 2015 in the film, Descendants, one based on the children of legendary Disney Villains, where he would return in the same capacity for its two sequels, Descendants 2 and Descendants 3 in 2017 and 2019.
Awards & Achievements
Owing to his exceptional work, Kenny was honoured with nominations and many awards including the Outstanding Director at 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 Disney Legend Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019.
Net Worth & Salary of Kenny Ortega in 2024
Kenny Ortega is rated as one of the most popular and richest director. In the High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Kenny made more than $250million on an $11 million budget. For the film, Michael Jackson’s This Is It, he earned more than $260 million worldwide in a budget of $60million.
As of April 2024, Kenny Ortega’s net worth is $16 million.
Having a name in global stage has been Kenny’s greatest achievement having worked on topping pieces of work. He has staged himself as a mentor in his right as a true example of hard work, resilience and commitment.