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Kenny Ortega is a Actor, Director, Associate Producer, Second Unit Director, Sound Director and Choreographer American born on 18 april 1950 at Palo Alto (USA)
Kenneth John "Kenny" Ortega (born April 18, 1950) is an American film and television producer, director, and choreographer, best known for directing Hocus Pocus, the High School Musical trilogy and Michael Jackson's This Is It concerts.
Ortega directed Billy Squier's "Rock Me Tonite" video, which is often cited as the worst music promo clip ever made and has been blamed by Squier for killing his career. Together with Michael Jackson, he created and designed the Dangerous World Tour 1992-1993 and the HIStory World Tour 1996-1997. He has also choreographed events ranging from Super Bowl XXX, the 72nd Academy Awards, the 1996 Summer Olympics (Atlanta) and the 2002 Winter Olympics (Salt Lake City).
In addition, Ortega has directed and choreographed High School Musical, High School Musical 2, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, and was choreographer of The Cheetah Girls 2.
On January 30, 2008, Ortega presented director-choreographer Adam Shankman with a Lifetime Achievement Award at The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball 9th anniversary show.
In May 2009, Ortega began work on the scheduled Michael Jackson 50-date This Is It concerts, which was cancelled subsequent to Jackson's sudden death. He directed the concert film Michael Jackson's This Is It which was put together from rehearsal footage recorded at the Los Angeles Forum and the Staples Center. The film was released on October 28.
Ortega directed the Michael Jackson Public Memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which was broadcast live on several networks on July 7, 2009. It reached a television audience of 31 million in America, and more than 1 billion worldwide and via the internet. 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.
He was set to direct the 2011 Footloose remake, but dropped out in October 2009. Ortega is now set to direct the upcoming movie adaptation of the Broadway musical In the Heights.
On August 9, 2011, it was announced that Ortega will direct a remake of Dirty Dancing, which he choreographed in 1987. Lionsgate Films has yet to announce the release date.
On May 12, 2014, Ortega guest-judged on the 18th season of Dancing with the Stars during the semifinals.
In 2014, Ortega signed with Disney to direct Descendants, a new Disney Channel Original Movie. It was released July 31, 2015.
(2009)
(Actor)
(2008)
(Director)
(1987)
(Choreographer)
(2008)
(Actor)
(1986)
(Second Unit Director)
Source : Wikidata
Kenny Ortega
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Birth name Kenneth John Ortega
Nationality USA
Birth 18 april 1950 (74 years) at Palo Alto (USA)
Awards Primetime Emmy Award
Nationality USA
Birth 18 april 1950 (74 years) at Palo Alto (USA)
Awards Primetime Emmy Award
Biography
Ortega was born in Palo Alto, California. He attended Sequoia High School (Redwood City, California). Ortega is the son of Madeline, a waitress, and Octavio "Tibby" Ortega, a factory worker from Redwood City. His grandparents were from Spain. Initially known for working with dancer and choreographer Gene Kelly on the film Xanadu, Ortega went on to choreographing the dance for the Menudo video "Hold Me", as well as the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, and has won awards for choreography in music videos, such as Madonna's "Material Girl". He also worked with The Tubes on their stage shows and directed the video for She's a Beauty.Ortega directed Billy Squier's "Rock Me Tonite" video, which is often cited as the worst music promo clip ever made and has been blamed by Squier for killing his career. Together with Michael Jackson, he created and designed the Dangerous World Tour 1992-1993 and the HIStory World Tour 1996-1997. He has also choreographed events ranging from Super Bowl XXX, the 72nd Academy Awards, the 1996 Summer Olympics (Atlanta) and the 2002 Winter Olympics (Salt Lake City).
In addition, Ortega has directed and choreographed High School Musical, High School Musical 2, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, and was choreographer of The Cheetah Girls 2.
On January 30, 2008, Ortega presented director-choreographer Adam Shankman with a Lifetime Achievement Award at The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball 9th anniversary show.
In May 2009, Ortega began work on the scheduled Michael Jackson 50-date This Is It concerts, which was cancelled subsequent to Jackson's sudden death. He directed the concert film Michael Jackson's This Is It which was put together from rehearsal footage recorded at the Los Angeles Forum and the Staples Center. The film was released on October 28.
Ortega directed the Michael Jackson Public Memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, which was broadcast live on several networks on July 7, 2009. It reached a television audience of 31 million in America, and more than 1 billion worldwide and via the internet. 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.
He was set to direct the 2011 Footloose remake, but dropped out in October 2009. Ortega is now set to direct the upcoming movie adaptation of the Broadway musical In the Heights.
On August 9, 2011, it was announced that Ortega will direct a remake of Dirty Dancing, which he choreographed in 1987. Lionsgate Films has yet to announce the release date.
On May 12, 2014, Ortega guest-judged on the 18th season of Dancing with the Stars during the semifinals.
In 2014, Ortega signed with Disney to direct Descendants, a new Disney Channel Original Movie. It was released July 31, 2015.
Best films
(2009)(Actor)
(2008)(Director)
(1987)(Choreographer)
(2008)(Actor)
(1986)(Second Unit Director)
Usually with
Filmography of Kenny Ortega (22 films)
Actor
Add to a movie listThis Is It (2009)
, 1h52Directed by Kenny Ortega, Michael Jackson
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Musical theatre, Documentary, Musical
Themes Films about music and musicians, Documentary films about music and musicians, Documentaire sur une personnalité, Musical films
Actors Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega
Roles Self
Rating71%
Un film constitué des images des coulisses des dernières répétitions de Michael Jackson.
, 1h14Origin USA
Genres Documentary, Musical
Themes Films about music and musicians, Documentary films about music and musicians, Documentaire sur une personnalité, Musical films, Children's films
Actors Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Kenny Ortega, Billy Ray Cyrus, Candice Accola
Roles Lui-même
Rating27%
And God Created Woman (1988)
, 1h38Directed by Roger Vadim
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Comedy-drama, Romantic comedy, Musical, Romance
Themes Musical films
Actors Rebecca De Mornay, Vincent Spano, Frank Langella, Donovan Leitch, Judith Chapman, Gary Goetzman
Roles Mike
Rating44%
Robin Shea (Rebecca De Mornay) is a convict in a New Mexico prison. She manages to escape, but mistakenly hitches a ride in the limo of James Tiernan (Frank Langella), a politician who was visiting the prison as part of his campaign for governor. He returns her to the prison in secret. While changing back into prison clothes, Robin meets Billy Moran (Vincent Spano) a carpenter and handyman who is doing work in the compound under supervision that is supposed to keep him isolated from the female inmates. Billy helps Robin temporarily hide from the guards, and they have sex.
Salsa (1988)
, 1h37Directed by Boaz Davidson
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Musical, Romance
Themes Dance films, Musical films
Actors Rodney Harvey, Valente Rodriguez, Kenny Ortega, Joanna García, Michael Sembello, Constance Marie
Roles Lui-même
Rating49%
In a nightly escape from his day job as a mechanic, Rico (Robby Rosa) enters his true element: the wild exuberance of the East L.A. "La Luna" salsa club. Dreaming of making himself and Vicky (Angela Alvarado), his girlfriend the "King and Queen of Salsa", Rico pours all his energy into winning La Luna's Grand Salsa Competition. But when Luna (Miranda Garrison), the club's gorgeous owner sets her sights on making Rico her dance partner, Rico must decide what drives him, his ambition or his heart.
Director
Descendants 3 (2019)
, 1h48Directed by Kenny Ortega
Origin USA
Genres Fantastic, Musical theatre, Fantasy, Adventure, Musical
Themes Films about magic and magicians, Monde imaginaire, Films about music and musicians, Films about dragons, Witches in film, Musical films, Téléfilm musical, Children's films
Actors Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, Cameron Boyce, China Anne McClain, Keegan Connor Tracy
Rating65%
Mal, Evie, Jay et Carlos se rendent sur l'île de l'Oubli pour inaugurer une journée spéciale : quatre nouveaux enfants de méchants vont pouvoir rejoindre Auradon. Cet événement entre dans le cadre du projet du roi Ben de faire venir vivre au sein du royaume tous les enfants de l'île.
Descendants 2 (2017)
, 1h51Directed by Kenny Ortega
Origin USA
Genres Fantastic, Comedy, Musical theatre, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Musical, Romance
Themes Seafaring films, Monde imaginaire, Films about music and musicians, Transport films, Pirate films, Musical films, Téléfilm musical, Children's films
Actors Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, Cameron Boyce, China Anne McClain, Keegan Connor Tracy
Rating63%
Accablée par la pression d'une royauté où elle se doit d'être parfaite, Mal décide de renouer avec ses mauvaises origines et retourne sur l'Île de l'Oubli où son ennemie jurée, Uma, la fille d'Ursula, a pris sa place en tant que reine auto-proclamée des rues sordides de la ville.
, 1h28Directed by Kenny Ortega
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Thriller, Comedy, Horror comedy, Musical theatre, Fantasy, Horror, Musical
Themes Films about music and musicians, Musical films, Comedy horror films, Téléfilm musical, Children's films
Actors Laverne Cox, Victoria Justice, Adam Lambert, Ryan McCartan, Reeve Carney, Christina Milian
Rating42%
Lors d'une soirée comme les autres, Trixie rejoint le cinéma où elle travaille comme ouvreuse pour lancer une séance du célèbre Rocky Horror Picture Show. Des fans impatients envahissent la salle de cinéma pour redécouvrir ce film pas comme les autres dans lequel un couple assez coincé, Janet et Brad, tombe en panne dans une forêt étrange lors d'une sombre nuit d'orage. Le couple devait rendre visite au Dr Everett von Scott pour lui annoncer leurs fiançailles. À la recherche d'aide, Janet et Brad frappent à la porte d'un mystérieux château. Là-bas, ils vont faire la rencontre de ses occupants pour le moins bizarres, notamment le maitre des lieux, le Dr Frank-N-Furter, qui se livre à de bien étranges expériences.
Descendants (2015)
, 1h52Directed by Kenny Ortega
Origin USA
Genres Fantastic, Comedy, Musical theatre, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Musical
Themes L'adolescence, Films about children, Films about magic and magicians, Monde imaginaire, Films about music and musicians, Films about dragons, Witches in film, Musical films, Téléfilm musical, Children's films, Teen movie
Actors Dove Cameron, Booboo Stewart, Cameron Boyce, Kristin Chenoweth, Keegan Connor Tracy, Sofia Carson
Rating63%
After their marriage, the Beast and Belle unite all the famous fairy tale kingdoms into the United States of Auradon, and are elected King and Queen. Villains and their minions are imprisoned on the Isle of the Lost, a slum-like island surrounded by a barrier that prevents the use of magic (deceased villains were resurrected to succumb in this punishment). 20 years later, the Beast and Belle's son Prince Ben is soon to be crown king. As his first proclamation, Ben wishes to give the kids on the Isle of the Lost the chance to live in Auradon. Though skeptical, his parents accede to his idea. The kids chosen are: Carlos, son of Cruella de Vil; Jay, son of Jafar; Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen; and Mal, daughter of Maleficent. The quartet are causing mischief until they are summoned by Maleficent ("Rotten to the Core"), who orders them to use their school trip to steal Fairy Godmother's wand; with it, the villains will break the barrier and control of both sides of magic.
This Is It (2009)
, 1h52Directed by Kenny Ortega, Michael Jackson
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Musical theatre, Documentary, Musical
Themes Films about music and musicians, Documentary films about music and musicians, Documentaire sur une personnalité, Musical films
Actors Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega
Rating71%
Un film constitué des images des coulisses des dernières répétitions de Michael Jackson.
, 1h51Directed by Kenny Ortega
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Comedy-drama, Romantic comedy, Musical, Romance
Themes Films about education, Films about music and musicians, Musical films, Children's films
Actors Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman
Rating50%
The movie begins with the Wildcats trailing the West High Knights, with the Wildcats entering the locker room for the final quarter feeling bitter. Team captain Troy rallies the team's spirit ("Now or Never") and, thanks to new transfer Jimmie "The Rocket" Zara, the Wildcats win the championship game which is the last one for the seniors on the squad at East High. Later, at Troy's after-match party at his house, Troy and Gabriella are seen thinking about their future and wishing that their last few months at East High would not end ("Right Here, Right Now").
High School Musical 2 (2007)
, 1h44Directed by Kenny Ortega
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Musical, Romance
Themes Films about education, Films about music and musicians, Musical films, Téléfilm musical, Children's films
Actors Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Olesya Rulin
Rating52%
The school year ends with everyone at East High School looking forward to summer vacation ("What Time Is It"). Troy Bolton is still dating Gabriella Montez, who decides to stay in Albuquerque with her mother. Troy eventually decides to look for a summer job to gain money for college.
The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006)
, 1h37Directed by Kenny Ortega
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Musical theatre, Musical
Themes Films about music and musicians, Musical films, Téléfilm musical, Children's films
Actors Raven-Symoné, Adrienne Houghton, Sabrina Bryan, Kiely Williams, Belinda, Lynn Whitfield
Rating51%
The movie begins in Manhattan, three years after the first movie, where the Cheetah Girls have just completed their junior year and are performing at a Graduation Party for the Manhattan Magnet's Class of 2006 ("The Party's Just Begun").
High School Musical (2006)
, 1h37Directed by Kenny Ortega
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Romantic comedy, Musical, Romance
Themes L'adolescence, Films about education, Films about children, Films about music and musicians, Musical films, Téléfilm musical, Children's films, Teen movie
Actors Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman
Rating56%
On New Year's Eve, juniors Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) meet at a party while both teens are at a ski lodge during winter break. At the party, the two are called upon to sing karaoke together ("Start of Something New"). They seem to be attracted to each other, and exchange numbers before going their separate ways.
The Cheetah Girls (2003)
, 1h33Directed by Kenny Ortega, Oz Scott
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Musical
Themes Films about music and musicians, Musical films, Téléfilm musical, Children's films
Actors Raven-Symoné, Adrienne Houghton, Sabrina Bryan, Kiely Williams, Lynn Whitfield, Ennis Esmer
Rating49%
A four-member teen girl group named the Cheetah Girls go to a Manhattan high school for the performing arts and try to become the first freshmen with AIRPORT to win the talent show in the school's history. During the talent show auditions, they meet a big-time producer named Jackal Johnson, who tries to make the group into superstars, but the girls run into many problems. Galleria becomes a full-time snob and forgets her friends, Dorinda has to choose between her friends or the dance club and other things that could break the Cheetah Girls apart permanently.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
, 1h36Directed by Kenny Ortega
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Fantastic, Comedy, Horror comedy, Fantasy, Horror
Themes Films about magic and magicians, Witches in film, Comedy horror films, Children's films
Actors Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Vinessa Shaw
Rating69%
On October 31, 1693, in Salem, Massachusetts, Thackery Binx discovers his younger sister Emily being spirited away to the cottage of the Sanderson sisters, a trio of witches. The sisters, Winifred, Sarah and Mary, cast a spell on Emily to absorb her youth and regain their own, killing Emily. Binx confronts them, but the witches transform him into an immortal black cat to live with his guilt. The townsfolk, led by Binx's father, capture and hang the witches, but Winifred's spellbook casts a curse that will resurrect the witches on All Hallows Eve when a virgin lights the Black Flame Candle. Binx remains guarding the cottage to ensure no one summons the witches.