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Kenny Ortega

Director | Miscellaneous Crew | Producer

Trivia:

Longtime personal friend and choreographer to Michael Jackson. See more trivia »

Born:

Kenneth John Ortega
in Palo Alto, California, USA
More at IMDbPro » Contact Info on IMDbPro Contact Info: View agent, legal and company
Kenny Ortega in High School Musical Kenny Ortega at event of This Is It Nigel Lythgoe and Kenny Ortega at event of This Is It Still of Tyce Diorio, Nigel Lythgoe, Kenny Ortega, Adam Shankman, Mia Michaels and Stacey Tookey in So You Think You Can Dance Kenny Ortega and Ashley Tisdale at event of High School Musical 3: Senior Year Still of Kenny Ortega in High School Musical 3: Senior Year
40 photos | 35 videos | 913 news articles »

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Related News

Appeared 'A Little Loopy' Jury Told
14 May 2013 5:32 PM, PDT | Huffington Post
Concert producer 'had a very strong feeling' that Mj was dying
10 May 2013 12:25 AM, PDT | RealBollywood
Michael Jackson 'near death' during tour rehearsals
9 May 2013 12:02 PM, PDT | Monsters and Critics
See all 913 related articles »

Projects In Development help

Thriller
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Do you have a demo reel?

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David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel


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Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 9 wins & 9 nominations See more awards »

Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideDirector (26 titles)
2013 Dirty Dancing (announced)
 
2012 Bunheads (TV series)
– Inherit the Wind (2012)
 
2011 The Playboy Club (TV series)
– The Dream House and How to Avoid It
 
2010 Legally Mad (TV movie)
 
2010 Dome Project (video short)
 
2009 This Is It (documentary)
 
2009 Michael Jackson Memorial (TV documentary) (creative director)
 
2008 High School Musical 3: Senior Year
 
2007 High School Musical 2 (TV movie)
 
2002-2006 Gilmore Girls (TV series)
– Knit, People, Knit! (2006)
– Friday Night's Alright for Fighting (2006) (as Kenneth Ortega)
– He's Slippin' 'Em Bread... Dig? (2005) (as Kenneth Ortega)
– Let Me Hear Your Balalaikas Ringing Out (2005) (as Kenneth Ortega)
– Come Home (2005)
See all 12 episodes »
 
2006 The Cheetah Girls 2 (TV movie)
 
2006 High School Musical (TV movie)
 
2001-2002 Ally McBeal (TV series)
– Another One Bites the Dust (2002)
– The Pursuit of Unhappiness (2001)
– Reach Out and Touch (2001)
 
2002 XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (TV movie)
 
2001 Grounded for Life (TV series)
– Mrs. Finnerty, You've Got a Lovely Daughter (2001)
 
2000 Resurrection Blvd. (TV series)
– Mascaras (2000)
 
1998-1999 Chicago Hope (TV series)
– Playing Through (1999)
– Liver, Hold the Mushrooms (1998)
 
1999 Wasteland (TV series)
– Truth or Consequences (1999)
 
1997 Fame L.A. (TV series)
 
1996 Second Noah (TV series)
– The Good Samaritan (1996)
 
1994 Hocus Pocus: Begin the Magic (TV documentary)
 
1993 Hocus Pocus
 
1992 Newsies
 
1990 Hull High (TV series)
– Episode #1.4 (1990)
– Episode #1.1 (1990)
– Pilot (1990)
 
1988 Dirty Dancing (TV series)
– Book of Love (1988)
– Walk Like a Man (1988)
 
1984 Red Hot Rock (video) (segment "Breakin' Together")
 
Show ShowMiscellaneous Crew (34 titles)
2009 This Is It (documentary) (choreographer)
 
2008 High School Musical 3: Senior Year (choreographer)
 
2008 Awilda and a Bee (short) (caterer)
 
2008 Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert (documentary) (stage director)
 
2007 High School Musical 2 (TV movie) (choreographer)
 
2007 High School Musical: The Concert - Extreme Access Pass (video) (choreographer, concert creator, concert producer)
 
2006 High School Musical (TV movie) (choreographer)
 
2002 XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (TV movie) (supervising choreographer)
 
2001 The Way She Moves (TV movie) (choreographer)
 
2001 Grounded for Life (TV series) (choreographer - 1 episode)
– Mrs. Finnerty, You've Got a Lovely Daughter (2001) (choreographer)
 
1999 Wasteland (TV series) (choreographer)
 
1998 Quest for Camelot (choreographer)
 
1996 Centennial Olympic Games: Opening Ceremonies (TV special) (choreographer)
 
1995 To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (choreographer)
 
1994 Chicago Hope (TV series) (choreographer)
 
1992 Newsies (choreographer)
 
1990 Hull High (TV series) (choreographer - 8 episodes)
– Episode #1.6 (1990) (choreographer)
– Episode #1.5 (1990) (choreographer)
– Episode #1.4 (1990) (choreographer)
– Episode #1.2 (1990) (choreographer)
– Episode #1.1 (1990) (choreographer)
See all 8 episodes »
 
1989 Shag (choreographer)
 
1988 Mickey's 60th Birthday (TV movie) (choreographer)
 
1988 The Great Outdoors (choreographer)
 
1988 Salsa (choreographer)
 
1988 And God Created Woman (choreography consultant)
 
1988 Totally Minnie (TV movie) (choreographer)
 
1988 Neil Diamond: Greatest Hits Live (video documentary) (choreographer)
 
1987 Dirty Dancing (choreographer)
 
1986 Ferris Bueller's Day Off (choreographer)
 
1986 Pretty in Pink (choreographer)
 
1985 St. Elmo's Fire (choreographer)
 
1984 Super Night of Rock 'n' Roll (TV movie) (choreographer)
 
1982 One from the Heart (choreographer)
 
1982 Olivia Newton-John: Let's Get Physical (TV movie) (choreographer)
 
1982 The Tubes: Tubes Video (video) (choreographer)
 
1980 Xanadu (choreographer)
 
1980 Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights (TV special) (choreographer)
 
Show ShowProducer (11 titles)
2013 Dirty Dancing (producer) (announced)
 
2009 This Is It (documentary) (producer: live show)
 
2008 High School Musical 3: Senior Year (executive producer)
 
2008 Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert (documentary) (producer)
 
2007 High School Musical 2 (TV movie) (co-producer)
 
2007 High School Musical: The Concert - Extreme Access Pass (video) (producer)
 
2004 Live and Unwrapped (video) (producer)
 
2003 The Disco Ball (TV special) (producer)
 
2002 XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (TV movie) (producer)
 
2001 The Way She Moves (TV movie) (co-executive producer)
 
1988 Salsa (associate producer)
 
Show ShowActor (4 titles)
2014 Tarmun (announced)
Obazi (rumored)
 
2008 Awilda and a Bee (short)
Male School Spelling Bee judge
 
1998 Chicago Hope (TV series)
Ellston McCool
– Deliverance (1998) … Ellston McCool
 
1988 And God Created Woman
Mike
 
Show ShowWriter (2 titles)
2010 Dome Project (video short) (written by)
 
2001 Timeless: Live in Concert (TV special documentary)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (2 titles)
2009 Michael Jackson Memorial (TV documentary) (performer: "We Are The World")
 
1988 Salsa (performer: "Good Lovin'")
 
1988 Salsa (second unit director)
 
1986 Ferris Bueller's Day Off (second unit director)
 
Show ShowArt Department (1 title)
1993 Dangerous: The Short Films (video) (stage design)
 
Show ShowThanks (2 titles)
2009 This Is It (documentary) (acknowledgment: original concert production created by / original concert production directed by)
 
2004 The Dream Studio (video documentary short) (special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (47 titles)
2013 Last of the Showmen (filming)
Himself
 
2013 Move (documentary) (filming)
Himself
 
2013 Ear of the Heart: The Music of Galt MacDermot (documentary) (post-production)
Himself - Interviewee: Director
 
2010-2012 So You Think You Can Dance (TV series)
Himself - Guest Judge / Himself - Guest judge / Himself - Judge
– Top 20 Perform (2012) … Himself - Judge
– Top 4 Perform (2011) … Himself - Guest Judge
– Finale: Winner Announced (2010) … Himself - Guest Judge
– Top Six Perform (2010) … Himself - Guest judge
 
2011 Phineas and Ferb (TV series)
Himself
– Rollercoaster: The Musical! (2011) … Himself
 
2010 Le grand journal de Canal+ (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 25 February 2010 (2010) … Himself
 
2010 Michael Jackson's 'This Is It': Staging the Return - Beyond the Show (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2010 Michael Jackson's 'This Is It': Auditions - Searching for the World's Best Dancers (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2010 Michael Jackson's 'This Is It': The Gloved One (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2010 Michael Jackson's 'This Is It': Memories of Michael (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2010 Michael Jackson's 'This Is It': Staging the Return - The Adventure Begins (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2010 All Access: Making Michael Jackson's This Is It (TV documentary)
 
2010 Doc Talk (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #5.1 (2010) … Himself
 
2009 This Is It (documentary)
Himself
 
2009 Xposé (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #4.36 (2009) … Himself
 
2009 Entertainment Tonight (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 21 October 2009 (2009) … Himself
– Episode dated 20 October 2009 (2009) … Himself
– Episode dated 15 October 2009 (2009) … Himself
– Episode dated 13 July 2009 (2009) … Himself
– Episode dated 3 July 2009 (2009) … Himself
 
2009 Live from Studio Five (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.27 (2009) … Himself
 
2009 The Oprah Winfrey Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 16 October 2009 (2009) … Himself
 
2009 Michael Jackson Memorial (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2009 Larry King Live (TV series)
Himself
– Death of a Legend (2009) … Himself
 
2009 The Movie Loft (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 28 February 2009 (2009) … Himself
 
2009 HSM3: Senior Awards (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2009 HSM3: Prom - The Night of Nights (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2009 HSM3: New Cast Profiles (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2009 HSM3: It's All in the Dress (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2009 HSM3: Cast Goodbyes (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2009 Disney Get Connected (TV series)
Himself
– HSM3: Sing It! (2009) … Himself
 
2008 So You Think You Can Dance Canada (TV series)
Himself - Guest Judge
– Top 16 (2008) … Himself - Guest Judge
 
2008 HSM2: Making of Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2008 HSM2: On Location (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2008 HSM2: In the Kitchen (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2008 Going Back to Xanadu (video)
Himself
 
2008 Good Morning America (TV series)
– Episode dated 20 May 2008 (2008)
 
2008 Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert (documentary)
Himself
 
2008 Underground Dance Masters: Final History of a Forgotten Era (documentary)
Xanadu Choreographer
 
2007 HSM2: The Making of a Music Scene (video documentary short)
Himself - Director
 
2007 HSM2: Rehearsal Cam (video documentary short)
Himself - Director/Choreographer
 
2007 HSM2: Anatomy of a Dance Number (video documentary short)
Himself - Director/Choreographer
 
2007 Disney 365 (TV series documentary)
– High School Musical on Ice: Part 2 (2007)
 
2007 Portrait of a Choreographer (video short)
Himself
 
2006 Dancing with the Stars (TV series)
Himself
– Round 8 (2006) … Himself
 
2006 Greatest Movie Love Scenes (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2002 American Masters (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer (2002) … Himself
 
1994 Hocus Pocus: Begin the Magic (TV documentary)
Himself - director (also archive footage)
 
1991 Blood Drips Heavily on Newsies Square (video short)
Himself
 
1990 America's Dance Honors (TV movie)
Himself
 
1988 Salsa
Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (1 title)
2009 Entertainment Tonight (TV series)
 

Related Videos

This Is It -- Michael Jackson rehearsing to perform Billie Jean. This Is It -- A compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London. Michael Jackson's 'This Is It': Auditions - Searching for the World's Best Dancers -- Check out this 'One-of-a-Kind' speciality car created from a Corvette chassis with a Chevelle body!
See all 35 »
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Personal Details

Other Works:

(1983) Music video: Directed The Tubes' "She's a Beauty" See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Interview  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Kenneth Ortega
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[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. See more »

Trivia:

Longtime personal friend and choreographer to Michael Jackson. See more »

Star Sign:

Aries