Occupation Dancer TV shows Dancing with the Stars Children Mark Ballas | Role Ballroom Dancer Name Corky Ballas | |
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Full Name Mark Alexander Ballas, Sr. Born December 25, 1960 (age 63) ( 1960-12-25 ) Houston, Texas, U.S. Years active 1978–1996; 2008–present Relatives George Ballas, Jr. (brother)
Michelle Ballas Pritchard (sister)
Maria Ballas Jamail (sister)
Lillian Ballas Miles (sister)
Charles Ballas (grandfather)
Maria Lymnaos Ballas (grandmother)
Peter Ballas (uncle) Spouse Shirley Ballas (m. 1985–2007) Parents Maria Marulanda, George Ballas Grandparents Maria Lymnaos Ballas, Charles Ballas Similar People Mark Ballas, Shirley Ballas, George Ballas, Lacey Schwimmer, Anna Trebunskaya | ||
Superstars of ballroom cheryl burke corky ballas
Mark Alexander Ballas Sr. (born December 25, 1960), known as Corky Ballas, is a retired competitive ballroom dancer who holds several Latin dance championship titles. His son, Mark Ballas, is a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars. His father was George Ballas, who invented the Weed Eater lawn-trimming device.
Contents
- Superstars of ballroom cheryl burke corky ballas
- Personal life
- Career
- Dancing with the Stars
- Performances
- References
Personal life
Ballas was born in Houston, Texas. He is the son of Maria (Marulanda) and George Ballas, the inventor of the Weed Eater lawn-trimming device. He has three sisters, Michelle, Maria, and Lillian, and one brother, George. He has Mexican, Spanish and Greek ancestry.
He has one son, Mark Ballas, with former wife and partner Shirley Ballas. Corky and Shirley Ballas also raised and trained Julianne Hough and Derek Hough.
Corky now teaches dancing in San Antonio via his dancing studio, and his website. His plans for the future include more television performances as well as an online interactive dance instruction via hundreds of videos.
Career
Corky and Shirley were 1996 Open to the World International Champions, 1995–1996 Open to the World British Champions, twice British National Champions, Star - World Cup - UK - Champions, and seven times undefeated United States International Latin Champions. They retired in 1996.
Ballas judges professional competitions and teaches. He is based in Los Angeles, California and Houston, Texas.
Dancing with the Stars
Ballas has trained many of Dancing with the Stars' professionals including Karina Smirnoff, Julianne Hough, Derek Hough, Tony Dovolani, Edyta Sliwinska, Alec Mazo, Brian Fortuna, Jonathan Roberts, Anna Trebunskaya, Jessie DeSoto and, his son, Mark Ballas.
On August 25, 2008, the show's producers announced Corky himself would compete as a pro on season 7, alongside his son and former pupils. He was partnered with 82-year-old actress Cloris Leachman.
For Season 11 Ballas was partnered with Florence Henderson. They were eliminated in Week 5 of the competition.
Performances
With celebrity partner: Cloris Leachman
With celebrity partner: Florence Henderson