Kenny Ortega

Birth Name:

Kenneth John Ortega

Birth Place:

Palo Alto, California, United States

Profession

Director, Producer, Soundtrack, Actor, Assistant director, Writer, Art director

At the 2004 American Choreography Awards, he was presented with a career achievement award
Began his career working with dancer and choreographer Gene Kelly
Quote: "There's an old Fred Astaire movie where the stage became bigger and deeper and more complex․ Moments like that really did impact on me and influence me․"
After singer Michael Jackson's death, he took footage from the concert series the two had been preparing for to make the film "Michael Jackson's This Is It" and directed the singer's public memorial
Best known as the director of Hocus Pocus and the "High School Musical" film series
Worked on many of the hit youth-oriented movies that were released during the 1980s, including "St․ Elmo's Fire," "Dirty Dancing" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off․"
If an actor yawned on the set of "High School Musical 2," he required that they donate money to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Utah
Presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to director-choreographer Adam Shankman at the Carnival Choreographer's Ball ninth anniversary show

1991Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Theme Music:Nominated
1993Razzie Award - Worst Director:Nominated
1998American Choreography Award - Outstanding Achievement in Television - Episodic:Winner
2001Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Choreography:Nominated
2003OFTA Television Award - Best Direction in a Comedy Series:Nominated
2006Gold Derby TV Award - Comedy Episode of the Year:Nominated
2006Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Choreography:Winner
2006Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special:Nominated
2007ALMA Award - Outstanding Director - Television Series, Mini-Series, Television Movie:Winner
2007DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs:Winner
2007Imagen Award - Best Director - Film:Nominated
2008ALMA Award - Outstanding Director of a Made-for-TV Movie:Winner
2008DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs:Nominated
2008Imagen Award - Best Director:Nominated
2008Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Choreography:Nominated
2010Black Reel - Best Documentary:Nominated
2010Imagen Award - Best Director - Film:Winner
2016DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs:Winner
2021Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Young Adult Series:Nominated

Fast Facts