Mark Ballas

Mark Alexander Ballas Jr. (born May 24, 1986) is an American dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, musician, and actor.

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.

As an actor, Ballas played the lead role of Tony in the musical Copacabana and was the lead dancer in the UK national tour of the Spanish musical Maria de Buenos Aires.

He was also the understudy for the role of Ritchie Valens in the UK national tour of Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story.

Ballas played an extra in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as part of the Hufflepuff House.

From 2007 to 2022, Ballas was a professional dancer on the ABC dance competition program Dancing with the Stars, winning the series three times.

On 30 October 2007, the pair was voted off the show.

They have been the only couple invited back for an exhibition dance.

Ballas's partner for season 6 of Dancing with the Stars was Olympic Gold Medal-winning figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.

They won the season.

In October 2008, Ballas made a guest appearance on the season premiere of Samantha Who.

On 25 August 2008, ABC announced the cast of the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars, with Ballas paired with reality television star Kim Kardashian.

They were the third couple eliminated, finishing in eleventh place, on 30 September 2008.

For the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars, Ballas was paired with Olympic gold-medal winning gymnast Shawn Johnson, winning that season's competition on 19 May 2009.

He was partnered with actress Melissa Joan Hart for the show's ninth season.

They were voted off in week six and came in 9th place.

For season 10, Ballas was partnered with actress Shannen Doherty.

They were the first couple eliminated, on 30 March 2010.

Despite that, Shannen & Mark hold a higher average than a few celebrities who lasted longer than they did.

For season 11, Ballas was partnered with Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska governor and U.S. Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

They made it to the finale and finished in third place.

For season 12, Ballas was partnered with Disney Channel star Chelsea Kane.

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.

Ballas was born in Houston, Texas, the son of dancers Corky Ballas and Shirley Ballas (née Rich).

His paternal grandparents were of Mexican and Greek background, and his mother is from the United Kingdom and is of predominantly English heritage.

His mother also has distant Malagasy ancestry from Madagascar.

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.

Ballas is a member of singer-songwriter duo Alexander Jean along with his wife, BC Jean.

The two became engaged in November 2015 after three years of dating, and were married on November 25, 2016 in Malibu, California.

Their son was born on November 5, 2023.

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.

On 6 September 2016, it was announced that Ballas would be the final actor to portray the role of Frankie Valli in the Broadway cast of Jersey Boys before it closes in 2017.

On 26 May 2018, it was announced that he would play the role of the Teen Angel in the 2018 Toronto revival of Grease in a limited engagement from 7–10 June.

From 11 September 2018 to 18 November 2018, Ballas portrayed Charlie Price in the musical Kinky Boots on Broadway.

On the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars, Ballas was partnered with Cheetah Girls star Sabrina Bryan.