Mark Ballas

Mark Alexander Ballas Jr. (born May 24, 1986) is an American professional Latin and ballroom dancer, choreographer, musician, and actor. Since 2007, he has appeared as a pro on the ABC reality competition program Dancing with the Stars, winning the series three times. He earned a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for his work on the show.

Mark Alexander Ballas Jr. was born on May 24, 1986, in Houston, Texas. He is the only child of professional ballroom dancers Corky Ballas and Shirley Ballas (née Rich); his father is an American of Greek ancestry, and his mother is British with predominantly English ancestry and distant Irish and Cape Coloured heritage. His paternal grandfather, George Ballas, was the inventor of the Weed Eater lawn-trimming device.

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. 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.^{[citation needed]}

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

On September 6, 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 May 26, 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 June 7–10.^{[non-primary source needed]} From September 11, 2018, to November 18, 2018, Ballas portrayed Charlie Price in the musical Kinky Boots on Broadway. In July 2022, he appeared as Harry in the Hollywood Bowl production of the same show.

On the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars, Ballas was partnered with Cheetah Girls star Sabrina Bryan. On October 30, 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.