Director
Kenny Ortega
- Born: 18 April 1950, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Estimated net worth: $10 million
Kenny Ortega is an American director, producer, and choreographer known for his work in film and television. He gained fame for directing movies like 'Hocus Pocus' and the 'High School Musical' series. Ortega is recognized for his distinct choreography and…
Kenny Ortega: best films and shows
About Kenny Ortega
Kenny Ortega is an American director, producer, and choreographer known for his work in film and television. He gained fame for directing movies like 'Hocus Pocus' and the 'High School Musical' series. Ortega is recognized for his distinct choreography and ability to blend music and storytelling, earning a reputation for family-friendly entertainment.
- Born
- 18 April 1950, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Known for
- Directing
- Height
- 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
- Spouses
- Sandy Ortega (1984-1992)
- Children
- 1 child, name not publicly known
- Parents
- Rita Ortega, Manuel Ortega
- Estimated net worth
- $10 million
Fun facts about Kenny Ortega
- Kenny Ortega started his career as a dancer and choreographer before transitioning into directing and producing.
- He won an Emmy Award for his work on the 'High School Musical' series.
Famous Kenny Ortega quotes
“You gotta dance like there's nobody watching.”
“It's all about the magic.”
“The future is in our hands.”
Kenny Ortega filmography
Cast (22)
| Year | Title | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Step Into… The Movies with Derek and Julianne Hough Movie | Self | 6.7 |
| 2020 | Unfiltered: Paris Jackson & Gabriel Glenn TV | Self | 7.0 |
| 2020 | Reunited Apart TV | Self | 5.5 |
| 2020 | The Disney Family Singalong Movie | Self | 8.2 |
| 2019 | High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Special Movie | Self | 8.3 |
| 2019 | Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage Movie | Self | |
| 2018 | Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash Movie | Self | 7.0 |
| 2015 | Celebrity Family Feud TV | Self | 7.7 |
| 2013 | Dirty Dancing - The Phenomenon Movie | Self | 8.0 |
| 2010 | Shapes of Rhythm: The Music of Galt MacDermot Movie | Self - Interviewee: Director |
Show 12 more creditsShow fewer
| Year | Title | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | This Is It Movie | Self | 7.4 |
| 2009 | Michael Jackson Memorial Movie | Self | 8.0 |
| 2008 | High School Musical 3: Making of a Musical Movie | Self | |
| 2008 | Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Movie | Self - Tour Director | 5.7 |
| 2008 | Going Back to Xanadu Movie | Unknown character | |
| 2007 | Phineas and Ferb TV | Kenny Ortega (voice) | 7.9 |
| 2007 | Portrait of a Choreographer Movie | Self | |
| 2005 | Dancing with the Stars TV | Self - Guest Judge | 6.2 |
| 2002 | Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer Movie | Self | 7.8 |
| 1994 | Chicago Hope TV | Ellston McCool | 7.2 |
| 1991 | Blood Drips Heavily on Newsie Square Movie | Self | 8.5 |
| 1988 | And God Created Woman Movie | Mike | 4.3 |
Crew (71)
| Year | Title | Role | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | LEGO Friends: Heartlake the Musical Movie | Producer · Production | |
| 2026 | LEGO Friends: Heartlake the Musical Movie | Story · Writing | |
| 2020 | Julie and the Phantoms TV | Director · Directing | 8.4 |
| 2020 | Julie and the Phantoms TV | Executive Producer · Production | 8.4 |
| 2020 | The Disney Family Singalong Movie | Producer · Production | 8.2 |
Show 66 more creditsShow fewer
| Year | Title | Role | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Descendants 3 Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 7.7 |
| 2019 | Descendants 3 Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 7.7 |
| 2019 | Descendants 3 Movie | Director · Directing | 7.7 |
| 2017 | Descendants 2 Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 7.4 |
| 2017 | Descendants 2 Movie | Director · Directing | 7.4 |
| 2017 | Descendants 2 Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 7.4 |
| 2017 | Andi Mack TV | Director · Directing | 8.0 |
| 2017 | A Change of Heart Movie | Director · Directing | 1.7 |
| 2016 | The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 5.1 |
| 2016 | The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 5.1 |
| 2016 | The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again Movie | Director · Directing | 5.1 |
| 2015 | Crazy Ex-Girlfriend TV | Director · Directing | 6.8 |
| 2015 | Descendants Movie | Director · Directing | 7.2 |
| 2015 | Descendants Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 7.2 |
| 2015 | Descendants Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 7.2 |
| 2012 | Bunheads TV | Director · Directing | 7.4 |
| 2009 | This Is It Movie | Writer · Writing | 7.4 |
| 2009 | This Is It Movie | Director · Directing | 7.4 |
| 2009 | This Is It Movie | Producer · Production | 7.4 |
| 2009 | Michael Jackson Memorial Movie | Director · Directing | 8.0 |
| 2008 | High School Musical 3: Senior Year Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 6.5 |
| 2008 | High School Musical 3: Senior Year Movie | Executive Producer · Production | 6.5 |
| 2008 | High School Musical 3: Senior Year Movie | Director · Directing | 6.5 |
| 2007 | High School Musical 2 Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 6.5 |
| 2007 | High School Musical 2 Movie | Producer · Production | 6.5 |
| 2007 | High School Musical 2 Movie | Director · Directing | 6.5 |
| 2007 | High School Musical: The Concert Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 6.2 |
| 2007 | High School Musical: The Concert Movie | Producer · Production | 6.2 |
| 2006 | The Cheetah Girls 2 Movie | Director · Directing | 6.3 |
| 2006 | High School Musical Movie | Director · Directing | 6.5 |
| 2006 | High School Musical Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 6.5 |
| 2002 | Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Light the Fire Within Movie | Producer · Production | |
| 2002 | Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Light the Fire Within Movie | Director · Directing | |
| 2001 | Barbra Streisand: Timeless - Live in Concert Movie | Writer · Writing | 8.3 |
| 2001 | Barbra Streisand: Timeless - Live in Concert Movie | Director · Directing | 8.3 |
| 2001 | Grounded for Life TV | Director · Directing | 6.8 |
| 2000 | Gilmore Girls TV | Director · Directing | 7.9 |
| 1999 | MJ & Friends: Live in Seoul Movie | Director · Directing | 10.0 |
| 1998 | Quest for Camelot Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 6.8 |
| 1997 | Fame L.A. TV | Director · Directing | 8.0 |
| 1997 | Ally McBeal TV | Director · Directing | 6.5 |
| 1997 | Michael Jackson: HIStory World Tour - Live in Munich Movie | Art Direction · Art | 8.7 |
| 1996 | Second Noah TV | Director · Directing | 6.7 |
| 1995 | To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 7.5 |
| 1994 | Chicago Hope TV | Director · Directing | 7.2 |
| 1993 | Hocus Pocus Movie | Director · Directing | 7.0 |
| 1992 | Newsies Movie | Director · Directing | 6.7 |
| 1990 | Hull High TV | Producer · Production | 6.5 |
| 1990 | Hull High TV | Director · Directing | 6.5 |
| 1989 | Shag Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 6.2 |
| 1988 | Mickey's 60th Birthday Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 6.8 |
| 1988 | Dirty Dancing TV | Director · Directing | 8.1 |
| 1988 | Salsa Movie | Associate Producer · Production | 6.9 |
| 1988 | The Great Outdoors Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 6.5 |
| 1988 | Totally Minnie Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 5.8 |
| 1987 | Dirty Dancing Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 7.3 |
| 1986 | Ferris Bueller's Day Off Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 7.6 |
| 1986 | Ferris Bueller's Day Off Movie | Second Unit Director · Directing | 7.6 |
| 1986 | Pretty in Pink Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 6.7 |
| 1985 | St. Elmo's Fire Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 6.1 |
| 1984 | Red Hot Rock Movie | Director · Directing | 4.2 |
| 1982 | One from the Heart Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 5.9 |
| 1980 | Xanadu Movie | Choreographer · Crew | 5.7 |
| TBA | Phantom Movie | Director · Directing | |
| TBA | Untitled Descendants Film Movie | Director · Directing | |
| TBA | Weslandia Movie | Director · Directing |
Latest releases
- Step Into… The Movies with Derek and Julianne Hough2022 / TMDB 6.7
- The Disney Family Singalong2020 / TMDB 8.2
- High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Special2019 / TMDB 8.3
- Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage2019
- Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Halloween Bash2018 / TMDB 7.0
- Shapes of Rhythm: The Music of Galt MacDermot2010
Questions about Kenny Ortega
What are Kenny Ortega's most famous films?
Kenny Ortega is best known for directing 'Hocus Pocus' and the 'High School Musical' trilogy. These films have become iconic in family entertainment.
Has Kenny Ortega received any awards?
Yes, Kenny Ortega has received several awards, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for his work on 'High School Musical'.
What was Kenny Ortega's first film?
Kenny Ortega's first film as a choreographer was 'The Rose' in 1979, which marked the beginning of his career in the film industry.
What other projects has Kenny Ortega worked on?
In addition to films, Kenny Ortega has worked extensively in television, including directing episodes of 'Will & Grace' and 'The Muppets'.
What is Kenny Ortega's background in dance?
Kenny Ortega began his career as a dancer, performing in various productions before moving into choreography and directing.
What is Kenny Ortega's estimated net worth?
Kenny Ortega's estimated net worth is around $10 million, reflecting his successful career in the entertainment industry.
Has Kenny Ortega worked with any famous artists?
Yes, Kenny Ortega has collaborated with many famous artists, including working as a choreographer for Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous' World Tour.
What is Kenny Ortega's style of directing?
Kenny Ortega's directing style often incorporates music and dance, focusing on creating engaging and entertaining experiences for audiences.