Mark Ballas
Mark Alexander Ballas Jr. (born May 24, 1986)[2] is an American dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, musician, and actor.
Mark Ballas
American
Dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, musician, actor
2005–present
1
Corky Ballas (father)
Shirley Ballas (mother)
George Ballas (paternal grandfather)
- Vocals
- guitar
- Hit-Play-Sony Red
- Hollywood
From 2007 to 2022, Ballas was a professional dancer on the ABC dance competition program Dancing with the Stars, winning the series three times. For his work on the show, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography in 2011. Ballas released his first solo CD HurtLoveBox in March 2011.
Personal life[edit]
Ballas was born in Houston, Texas,[2] the son of dancers Corky Ballas[3][4] and Shirley Ballas (née Rich).[5] His paternal grandparents were of Mexican and Greek background, and his mother is from the United Kingdom and is of predominantly English heritage.[6] His mother also has distant Malagasy ancestry from Madagascar.[7] His paternal grandfather, George Ballas, was the inventor of the Weed Eater lawn-trimming device. His paternal great-grandparents, Karolos ("Charles") Ballas and Maria Lymnaos were immigrants to the United States from Greece.[8]
Ballas is a member of singer-songwriter duo Alexander Jean[9] along with his wife, BC Jean. The two became engaged in November 2015 after three years of dating,[10] and were married on November 25, 2016 in Malibu, California.[11][12] Their son was born on November 5, 2023.[13]
Career[edit]
Early life[edit]
Ballas attended Rosemead Preparatory School in South London. At the age of 11, he earned a full-time slot at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, as well as earning a full scholarship. In 2005, he was awarded "Performer of the Year". He then moved on to win championships at The British Open to the World, The US Open to the World, and The International Open to the World. With his former partner Julianne Hough, he won the Junior Latin American Dance Championship and the gold medal at the Junior Olympics.
Discography[edit]
*(For discography as part of band with Derek Hough, see Ballas Hough Band)
*(For discography as part of duo with BC Jean, see Alexander Jean)