Kenny Ortega | |
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![]() Ortega in 2019 | |
Born | Kenneth John Ortega April 18, 1950 Palo Alto, California, U.S. |
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Years active | 1970–present |
Notable work | Newsies Hocus Pocus High School Musical Michael Jackson's This Is It Descendants Julie and the Phantoms |
Awards | Hollywood Walk of Fame (2019) Disney Legends (2019) Grammys (2021) |
Kenneth John Ortega (born April 18, 1950) is an American filmmaker, touring manager, and choreographer. He is known for directing the films Newsies, Hocus Pocus, The Cheetah Girls 2, High School Musical, Michael Jackson's This Is It, Descendants, and Julie and the Phantoms.[1] He also choreographed the films One from the Heart, St. Elmo's Fire, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Dirty Dancing; and directed multiple concert tours for Cher, Gloria Estefan, Miley Cyrus, and Michael Jackson. For his work, Ortega was honored with both a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Disney Legend Award in 2019.