Kenny Ortega
Kenny Ortega | |
---|---|
Born | Kenneth John Ortega April 18, 1950 |
Occupation(s) | Director Producer Choreographer Concert Creator |
Years active | 1970–present |
Notable work | Newsies Hocus Pocus High School Musical Trilogy Michael Jackson's This Is It Descendants Julie and the Phantoms |
Awards | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography(2006) Hollywood Walk of Fame(2019) Disney Legends Hall of Fame(2019) |
Kenneth "Kenny" John Ortega(born April 18, 1950) is an American director, producer, choreographer, and concert creator. He is most well-known for his work withDisney Channel,notably theHigh School Musicalfilm trilogy, cult classics such asNewsiesandHocus Pocus,The Cheetah Girls 2,and the first threeDescendantsfilms. In 2019 he signed a five year deal withNetflix,producing the original seriesJulie and the Phantoms,which was cancelled after only one season. He has also choreographed multiple iconic 80's films such as,Xanadu,One from the Heart,St. Elmo's Fire,Pretty in Pink,Ferris Bueller's Day Off,andDirty Dancing.Ortega has worked on multiple music videos and produced concert tours for the likes of,KISS,Cher,Madonna,Miley Cyrus,andMichael Jackson,notably the cancelledThis is It Concert Residency.He also wrote, directed, and produced Jackson's posthumous documentary film,Michael Jackson's This Is It.For his work, Ortega was honored with a star on theHollywood Walk of Fameand aDisney Legend Awardin 2019.[1][2]
Early life
[edit]Ortega was born inPalo Alto, California,the son of Madeline, a waitress, and Octavio "Tibby" Ortega, a factory worker. He also has a sister, Debra Ortega. Both of his parents were also born in Palo Alto,[3]though his paternal grandparents were Spanish immigrants.[4]He attendedSequoia High SchoolinRedwood City, California,where he was a cheerleader and in the drama group.
Career
[edit]This section of abiography of a living personneeds additionalcitationsforverification.(September 2022) |
Ortega began his career as an actor, appearing in a touring production ofOliver!andHairbefore venturing into choreography and directing. Ortega choreographedThe Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingoin the mid to late 1970s. Ortega was offered the leading role in a production ofJesus Christ Superstar,but turned the offer down to become a choreographer for the San Francisco-based bandThe Tubesafter being spotted on the dance floor in a club by members of the band. Ortega toured with the band for ten years, before being contracted byCherto choreograph a TV special and tour and byKISSon theirDynasty Tour.[5][6]
In 1980, Ortega was hired as one of the choreographers on the filmXanadu,working withGene Kellywho mentored him into choreographing for film. During this time period, Ortega also served as choreographer for several ofJohn Hughes's films, includingPretty in PinkandFerris Bueller's Day Off,as well as the 1987 filmDirty Dancing.
Ortega would also choreograph several music videos, including "Material Girl"byMadonna,"She's a Beauty"by The Tubes,PhysicalbyOlivia Newton-Johnand "Mr. Roboto"byStyx.He also produced and choreographed the embarrassing "Rock Me Tonite"byBilly Squierwhich turned into a career-ending disaster for the artist.[7]
He made his directorial debut in 1992 with theDisneymusicalNewsies,which was followed up byHocus Pocusin 1993. Both films underperformed at the box-office but have since gone on to attract considerable cult followings. Ortega also served as choreographer forTo Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmarin 1995.
AlongsideMichael Jackson,he created and designed Jackson'sDangerous World Tour(1992–1993),HIStory World Tour(1996–1997) andMichael Jackson & Friends(1999). He has also choreographed events ranging fromSuper Bowl XXX,the72nd Academy Awards,the1996 Summer Olympics(Atlanta) and the2002 Winter Olympics(Salt Lake City).[8]
In 2006, Ortega directed and choreographed twoDisney Channel Original Movies,High School MusicalandThe Cheetah Girls 2.Ortega would return as director and choreographer forHigh School Musical 2in 2007 andHigh School Musical 3: Senior Yearin 2008.
In May 2009, Ortega began work directing and choreographing the scheduled 50-date Michael JacksonThis Is Itconcert residency atthe O2 Arena,billed as Jackson's final concerts in London. The engagement was subsequently cancelled due toJackson's sudden deathin June 2009.[9]Ortega would serve as the director of the Michael Jackson Public Memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which was broadcast live on several networks on July 7, 2009, reaching a television audience of 31 million in America and more than one billion worldwide.
At the end of the service, he introduced a rendition of Jackson's 1985 charity single "We Are the World"created for the This Is It concerts, featuring Jackson's backing singers on lead vocals with his dancers performing around them. Ortega directed the concert filmMichael Jackson's This Is It,which was put together from rehearsal footage recorded at theLos Angeles Forumand theStaples Center.The film was released on October 28 of the same year.[10][11]
He was set to direct the 2011Footlooseremake, but dropped out in October 2009 due to differences withParamountover the budget and tone of the film.[12]
Ortega was also hired to direct a film adaptation of theBroadway musicalIn the HeightsforUniversal,but the studio dropped the project in 2011 due to budgetary and casting issues.[13]On August 9, 2011, it was announced that Ortega would direct a remake ofDirty Dancing,a project that was later postponed. The2017 TV remakewas filmed without Ortega's involvement.[14]
On May 12, 2014, Ortega guest-judged on the18th season ofDancing with the Starsduring thesemifinals.
In 2015, Ortega directed and choreographedDescendantsfor the Disney Channel, a film based on the children of legendaryDisney Villains.He would return in the same capacity for its two sequels,Descendants 2in 2017 andDescendants 3in 2019.[15]
In 2019, Ortega was honored with a star on theHollywood Walk of Fameand was named aDisney Legendat the 2019D23 Expo.[16][17]
That fall, he directed and served as executive producer of the Netflix Original seriesJulie and the Phantoms,which premiered on Netflix on September 10, 2020.
Personal life
[edit]Ortega isgay,and in a 2014 interview with anti-bullying organizationBystander Revolution,he said that "as a gay man having grown up in the 50s and 60s, I have to say, I'm very proud of the industry that I work in," referring to the acceptance of people with different sexual orientations in show business.[18]
During the trialPeople v. Murrayregarding thedeath of Michael Jackson,Ortega was the trial's first witness.
In 2020, Ortega recalled being falsely arrested at the age of 21 after a chief of police planted narcotics in his hotel room, allegedly upset by his performance in a touring production ofHair.The charges were dropped after investigations were made and Ortega recalled the arrest report identifying him as George Berger, the name of the character he played in the show.[5]
Filmography and concerts
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Choreographer | Director | Producer | Rotten Tomatoes | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1980 | Xanadu | Yes | No | No | 39% | $20 million | US$22.7 million |
1982 | One from the Heart | Yes | No | No | 48% | $26 million | $0.6 million |
1985 | St. Elmo's Fire | Yes | No | No | 47% | $10 million | $37.8 million |
1986 | Pretty in Pink | Yes | No | No | 81% | $9 million | $40.4 million |
1986 | Ferris Bueller's Day Off | Yes | No | No | 79% | $6 million | $70.1 million |
1987 | Dirty Dancing | Yes | No | No | 72% | $5 million | $213.9 million |
1988 | Salsa | Yes | No | No | 50% | $6 million | $8.8 million |
1989 | Shag | Yes | No | No | 64% | $5 million | $6.9 million |
1992 | Newsies | Yes | Yes | No | 30% | $15 million | $2.8 million |
1993 | Hocus Pocus | Yes | Yes | No | 32% | $28 million | $39.5 million |
1995 | To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar | Yes | No | No | 42% | — | $47.7 million |
1998 | Quest for Camelot[citation needed] | Yes | No | No | 36% | $40 million | $22.5 million |
2008 | High School Musical 3: Senior Year | Yes | Yes | Executive | 65% | $11 million | $252.9 million |
2009 | Michael Jackson's This Is It | Yes | Yes | Yes | 81% | $60 million | $261.1 million |
2017 | A Change of Heart | No | Yes | No | — | — | — |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Choreographer | Director | Producer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1988 | Dirty Dancing | No | Yes | No | 2 episodes |
1990 | Hull High | Yes | Yes | Executive | 2 episodes |
1996 | Second Noah | No | Yes | No | 1 episode |
1998–1999 | Chicago Hope | No | Yes | No | 2 episodes |
2000 | Resurrection Blvd. | No | Yes | No | 1 episode |
2001 | Grounded for Life | No | Yes | No | 1 episode |
2001–2002 | Ally McBeal | No | Yes | No | 3 episodes |
2002–2006 | Gilmore Girls | No | Yes | No | 11 episodes |
2006 | High School Musical | Yes | Yes | No | Television movie |
2006 | The Cheetah Girls 2 | Yes | Yes | No | Television movie |
2007 | High School Musical 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Television movie |
2011 | Phineas and Ferb | No | No | No | 1 Episode Cameo as Himself |
2012 | Bunheads | No | Yes | No | 1 episode |
2015 | Descendants | Yes | Yes | Executive | Television movie |
2016 | Crazy Ex-Girlfriend | No | Yes | No | 1 episode |
2016 | The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again | Yes | Yes | No | Television movie |
2017 | Descendants 2 | Yes | Yes | Executive | Television movie |
2018 | Andi Mack | No | Yes | No | 1 episode |
2019 | Descendants 3 | Yes | Yes | Executive | Television movie |
2020 | Julie and the Phantoms | Yes | Yes | Executive | Netflixseries |
Concerts
[edit]Year | Title | Choreographer | Director | Producer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1989–1990 | Cher'sHeart of Stone Tour | No | Yes | No | |
1991–1992 | Gloria Estefan's Into The Light World Tour | Yes | No | No | |
1992–1993 | Michael Jackson'sDangerous World Tour | No | Yes | No | |
1996–1997 | Gloria Estefan'sEvolution World Tour | Yes | No | No | |
1996–1997 | Michael Jackson'sHIStory World Tour | No | Yes | No | |
2003 | Gloria Estefan'sLive & Unwrapped | Yes | Yes | No | |
2004 | Gloria Estefan'sLive & Re-Wrapped Tour | Yes | No | No | |
2006 | The Boy from Oz | Yes | Yes | No | Australian arena tour[19] |
2006–2007 | High School Musical: The Concert | No | Yes | Yes | |
2007–2008 | Hannah Montana&Miley Cyrus:Best of Both Worlds Tour | Yes | Yes | No | |
2009–2010 (cancelled) | Michael Jackson'sThis Is It | Yes | Yes | No |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Association | Category | Work / nominee | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Choreography | Grounded for Life | Nominated | [20] |
2002 | Outstanding Choreography(shared with Doug Jack andSarah Kawahara) | Opening Ceremony Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games | Won | [21] | |
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series(shared withBucky GuntsandRon de Moraes) | Won | [22] | |||
2006 | Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directing – Children's Programs | High School Musical | Won | [23] |
Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Choreography(shared withCharles KlapowandBonnie Story) | High School Musical | Won | [24] | |
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special | Nominated | [25] | |||
2007 | Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directing – Children's Programs | High School Musical 2 | Nominated | [26] |
Helpmann Awards | Best Choreography in a Musical(shared withKelley Abbey) | The Boy from Oz | Won | [27] | |
2008 | ALMA Award | Outstanding Director of a Made-for-TV Movie | High School Musical 2 | Won | [28] |
Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Choreography(shared with Charles Klapow and Bonnie Story) | High School Musical 2 | Nominated | [29] | |
2009 | National Association of Latino Independent Producers | Outstanding Achievement Award | Kenny Ortega | Won | [30] |
Young Artist Award | Jackie Coogan Award – Contribution to Youth | High School Musical | Won | [31] | |
2015 | Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directing – Children's Programs | Descendants | Won | [32] |
References
[edit]- ^"Kenny Ortega Returns to Paradigm (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.March 21, 2024.RetrievedAugust 25,2024.
- ^Ellis, Alescia (August 5, 2021)."Kenny Ortaga".Hollywood Walk of Fame.RetrievedAugust 25,2024.
- ^Hartlaub, Peter (October 19, 2008)."Ortega directs 'High School Musical 3'".San Francisco Chronicle.Archivedfrom the original on February 2, 2013.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
- ^Hernández, Lee (October 23, 2008)."Kenny Ortega: The man behind every step of 'High School Musical 3'".Daily News.New York.Archivedfrom the original on August 26, 2009.RetrievedNovember 3,2009.
- ^abSetoodeh, Ramin (June 30, 2020)."Director Kenny Ortega on the Queer Aesthetic of His Movies From 'Hocus Pocus' to 'High School Musical'".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on July 1, 2020.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
- ^Littleton, Cynthia (October 3, 2008)."Kenny Ortega: From dancer to director".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on July 1, 2020.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
- ^"The 50 Worst Decisions in Music History".rollingstone.November 28, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on May 29, 2023.RetrievedJune 29,2023.
- ^"Kenny Ortega: Biography"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on December 18, 2008.RetrievedJune 15,2009.
- ^"Michael Jackson Gets Ready For Tour".Sky News.May 12, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2009.RetrievedMay 12,2009.
- ^Hinckley, David; Huff, Richard (July 8, 2009)."Michael Jackson's memorial 2nd most-watched funeral ever, after Princess Di, say Nielsen ratings".Daily News.New York.Archivedfrom the original on August 28, 2009.RetrievedAugust 11,2009.
- ^"This Is It - Cast | IMDbPro".pro.imdb.Archivedfrom the original on July 1, 2020.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
- ^Fleming, Michael (October 25, 2009)."Ortega exits Paramount's 'Footloose'".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on May 18, 2018.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
- ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 28, 2011)."Universal Dropping Musical 'In The Heights'".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on February 22, 2018.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
- ^Chaney, Jen (August 8, 2011)."'Dirty Dancing' the remake: Should it be pursued or put in a corner forever? ".The Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on March 5, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 9,2016.
- ^"Disney Channel announces 'Descendants,' movie about the villains' kids".Hypable.December 12, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2023.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
- ^"Meet the 2019 Disney Legends to Be Honored at D23 Expo".D23.May 16, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on June 11, 2020.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
- ^Friedlander, Whitney (July 24, 2019)."'Descendants' Director Kenny Ortega Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on July 25, 2020.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
- ^"Kenny Ortega - As a Gay Man".IMDb.Archivedfrom the original on February 12, 2017.RetrievedMarch 15,2019.
- ^Rooney, David (August 6, 2006)."The Boy from Oz".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2017.RetrievedMarch 13,2018.
- ^"53rd Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners".Emmys.Archivedfrom the original on March 6, 2018.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
- ^"54th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners".Emmys.Archivedfrom the original on March 7, 2018.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
- ^Tomlinson, Alan (January 1, 2005)."Picturing the winter Olympics: The Opening ceremonies of Nagano (Japan) 1998 and Salt Lake City (USA) 2002"(PDF).Tourism, Culture & Communication.5(2): 83–92.doi:10.3727/109830405774791465.S2CID59142832.Archivedfrom the original on August 1, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 28,2020.
- ^"59th annual DGA awards".Directors Guild of America.Archivedfrom the original on October 24, 2022.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
- ^"58th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners".Emmys.Archivedfrom the original on June 26, 2018.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
- ^"58th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners".Emmys.Archivedfrom the original on July 7, 2017.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
- ^"60th annual DGA awards".Directors Guild of America.Archivedfrom the original on May 19, 2023.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
- ^"Past nominees and winners, 2007".Helpmann Awards.Archivedfrom the original on March 13, 2018.RetrievedMarch 13,2018.
- ^"ALMA Awards 2012".Alma Awards. Archived fromthe originalon July 17, 2012.
- ^"60th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners".Emmys.Archivedfrom the original on March 7, 2018.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
- ^Crystal A. Johnson (April 24, 2009)."LTTS Exclusive: An Interview With High School Musical Director Kenny Ortega".Look to the Stars.Archivedfrom the original on November 27, 2011.RetrievedNovember 7,2009.
- ^"30th Annual Young Artist Awards".Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2011.RetrievedMay 11,2012.
- ^"68th annual DGA awards".Directors Guild of America.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2023.RetrievedMarch 6,2018.
External links
[edit]- Kenny Ortegaat theInternet Broadway Database
- Kenny OrtegaatIMDb
- Kenny OrgetaArchivedOctober 22, 2012, at theWayback Machineat MVDbase
- 1950 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American LGBTQ people
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American LGBTQ people
- American choreographers
- American gay actors
- American male film actors
- American male musical theatre actors
- American music video directors
- American people of Spanish descent
- American television directors
- Directors Guild of America Award winners
- Film directors from California
- Helpmann Award winners
- Hispanic and Latino American male actors
- LGBTQ people from California
- Male actors from Palo Alto, California
- Musical theatre choreographers
- Primetime Emmy Award winners
- American LGBTQ writers
- American LGBTQ film directors
- Sequoia High School (Redwood City, California) alumni
- Disney Legends