Kenny Ortega Biography

Kenny Ortega began his career as an Actor at the age of 13 performing in San Francisco Bay Area theater. At 18 Kenny landed a leading role in the original San Francisco and National Touring Productions of the Musical HAIR. In the 1980s he became known for his stage direction and choreography of the A&M pioneer recording artists The TUBES. It was a TUBES performance in Los Angeles that caught the attention of Cher who asked Ortega to choreograph her television special. Soon Ortega became one of the most sought after Choreographers for the industry’s biggest musical artists including Madonna Fleetwod Mac Kiss Gloria Estefan Elton John Rod Stewart Bette Midler Cher Diana Ross Barbra Streisand and The Pointer Sisters to name a few. When Ortega made the transition from stage choreography to film choreography he had the honor and privilege of working with the legendary Gene Kelly on the feature film XANADU and then again on Francis Ford Coppola’s ONE FROM THE HEART. Kelly soon became Ortega’s mentor and taught him his technique of designing choreography for the camera.
Ortega’s other film choreography includes DIRTY DANCING ST. ELMO’S FIRE and following his work with John Hugh’s on PRETTY IN PINK John made him the choreographer and 2nd Unit Director of the classic parade sequence for FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF. This began his directing career. In the 1990’s Ortega directed the musical film NEWSIES starring Christian Bale Robert Duvall and Ann Margaret and feature film HOCUS POCUS starring Bette Midler Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy for the Walt Disney Company. Ortega directed many television series during the following three decades including CHICAGO HOPE ALLY MCBEAL and THE GILMORE GIRLS. He is also co choreographed and directed the 1996 Atlanta OLYMPIC Opening and Closing Ceremonies and both choreographed and co directed the 2002 Salt Lake Winter OLYMPIC Ceremonies and Live Broadcast.

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