Derek Hough

Derek Hough

Birthday: May 17
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah

Derek Hough is a multi-talented entertainer, author, two-time Emmy Award winner and eight-time nominee for Outstanding Choreography. He is also the only six-time champion of the hit ABC show Dancing with the Stars. Derek's memoir Taking the Lead; Lessons from a Life in Motion was named to the prestigious New York Times Best-Seller list.

Derek Hough is a multi-talented entertainer, author, two-time Emmy Award winner and eight-time nominee for Outstanding Choreography. He is also the only six-time champion of the hit ABC show Dancing with the Stars. Derek's memoir Taking the Lead; Lessons from a Life in Motion was named to the prestigious New York Times Best-Seller list.

In 2014 and 2015 Hough and his sister Julianne teamed for a live stage dance concert MOVE Live on Tour performing in cities around the country. In 2016, Hough starred in NBC's Hairspray Live! Later this year, he moves to Broadway in the Harvey Weinstein production of Singin' in the Rain where he will star as Don Lockwood, the role Gene Kelly made famous.

Hough's upcoming work will also include joining Jennifer Lopez and Ne-yo at the judges table for World of Dance, a dance competition program that will feature solo artists competing against duos and crews in all genres of dance.

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Awards & Nominations

13 Nominations | 4 Emmys
Outstanding Choreography For Variety Or Reality Programming - 2023
  • Winner
  • Derek Hough, Choreographer
  • Dancing With The Stars
  • "Routine: Higher"
  • Disney+
  • BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions
Outstanding Choreography For Variety Or Reality Programming - 2022
Outstanding Choreography - 2017
Outstanding Choreography - 2016
  • Nominee
  • Derek Hough, Choreographer
  • Dancing With The Stars
  • "Routines: Footprints In The Sand/Grace Kelly/Cry Little Sister"
  • ABC
  • BBC Worldwide Productions
Outstanding Choreography - 2015
  • Winner
  • Derek Hough, Choreographer
  • Dancing With The Stars
  • "Routine: Elastic Heart"
  • ABC
  • BBC Worldwide Productions
Outstanding Choreography - 2014
  • Nominee
  • Derek Hough, Choreographer
  • Dancing With The Stars
  • "Routines: Human / Ameksa / Too Darn Hot"
  • ABC
  • BBC Worldwide Productions
Outstanding Choreography - 2013
Outstanding Choreography - 2013
  • Winner
  • Derek Hough
  • Dancing With The Stars
  • "Routines: Hey Pachuco / Para Los Rumberos / Walking On Air"
  • ABC
  • BBC Worldwide Productions
Outstanding Choreography - 2010
  • Nominee
  • Derek Hough, Choreographer
  • Dancing With The Stars
  • "Routines: Futuristic Paso Doble/Living On Video & Quickstep/Anything Goes"
  • ABC
  • BBC Worldwide Productions
Outstanding Choreography - 2010
  • Nominee
  • Derek Hough, Choreographer
  • Dancing With The Stars
  • "Routine: Paso Doble/Malaquena"
  • ABC
  • BBC Worldwide Productions
Outstanding Choreography - 2009
  • Nominee
  • Derek Hough, Choreographer
  • Dancing With The Stars
  • "Jive / Great Balls of Fire"
  • ABC
  • BBC Worldwide Productions

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

Derek Hough and Karla Puno Garcia backstage at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Derek Hough backstage at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Derek Hough presents an award to the Saturday Night Live production design team for Outstanding Production Design For A Variety or Reality Series at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Derek Hough, choreographer for Dancing With The Stars, backstage at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Derek Hough of Dancing With The Stars backstage at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Derek Hough from Dancing With The Stars accepts the award for Outstanding Choreography For Variety Or Reality Programming at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Derek Hough and Julianne Hough from Dancing With the Stars backstage at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Derek Hough and Julianne Hough of Dancing with the Stars present at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert at the Media Center during the 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Derek Hough poses at the Media Center during the 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Derek Hough at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys, September 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Debbie Allen and Derek Hough at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys, September 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys, September 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Derek Hough accepts an award at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys.
Derek Hough and Carrie Anna Inaba on stage at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.
Derek Hough on the Red Carpet at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Padma Lakshmi, Derek Hough
Derek Hough
Derek Hough on stage at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Derek Hough and Travis Wall at the 2017 Creative Arts Ball.
Derek Hough on stage at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Fred Tallaksen, Travis Wall, Mandy Moore, and Derek Hough on stage at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Choreographers from Dancing with the Stars & So You Think You Can Dance at the Creative Arts Ball.
Derek Hough and Lori Greiner present an award at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Kelsey McCowan and Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
2017 Choreography Nominee Reception
2017 Choreography Nominee Reception
2017 Choreography Nominee Reception
Derek Hough and Ekaterina Fedosova at "Whose Dance Is It Anyway?" February 16, 2017, at the Saban Media Center in North Nollywood, California.
Derek Hough and Ekaterina Fedosova perform at "Whose Dance Is It Anyway?" February 16, 2017, at the Saban Media Center in North Nollywood, California.
Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Derek Hough at the 2016 Creative Arts Ball.
Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys.
RuPaul Charles accepts an award at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys.
Marilu Henner and Derek Hough on stage at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys.
Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Travis Wall and Derek Hough at the 2015 Creative Arts Ball.
Derek Hough, Tessandra Chavez and Julianne Hough accept their award at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Derek Hough, Julianne Hough and Travis Wall backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmys.
Derek Hough backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Derek Hough and Julianne Hough backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Derek Hough, Travis Wall and Cat Deely backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Derek Hough, Tessandra Chavez and Julianne Hough accept their award at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmys.
Derek Hough and Julianne Hough on the Red Carpet at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmys.
Jimmy Fallon (l) Derek Hough (c) and Julianne Hough (r) arrive at the 66th Emmy Awards.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (front) with choreography nominees (l-r): Mandy Moore, Tabitha D'Umo, Napoleon D'Umo, Travis Wall and Derek Hough at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.
Choreographer Derek Hough and a guest take a selfie at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Derek Hough at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.
Travis Wall of So You Think You Can Dance and Derek Hough of Dancing with the Stars arrive for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Derek Hough of Dancing with the Stars arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Derek Hough arrives at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.
Choreographers' video shoot
Derek Hough, Tabitha D'umo and Napoleon D'umo
Derek Hough and Johnny Carson
Derek Hough at the Governor's Ball
Derek Hough at the Governors Ball
Derek Hough on stage at the 65th Emmys
Derek Hough backstage at the 65th Emmys
Derek Hough on the Red Carpet at the 65th Emmys
Jane Fonda, Derek Hough, Dan Bucatinsky, Christina Hendricks, Aaron Paul, Jane Lynch and Sofia Vergara
Fill 1
Fill 1
Derek Hough and Karla Puno Garcia backstage at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera

Derek Hough with Karla Puno Garcia, winner of the award for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming, backstage at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Derek Hough backstage at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera

Derek Hough backstage at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Derek Hough presents an award to the Saturday Night Live production design team for Outstanding Production Design For A Variety or Reality Series at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera

Derek Hough presents an award to the Saturday Night Live production design team for Outstanding Production Design For A Variety or Reality Series at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Derek Hough, choreographer for Dancing With The Stars, backstage at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera

Derek Hough, choreographer for Dancing With The Stars, backstage at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Derek Hough of Dancing With The Stars backstage at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera

Derek Hough of Dancing With The Stars backstage at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Derek Hough from Dancing With The Stars accepts the award for Outstanding Choreography For Variety Or Reality Programming at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera

Derek Hough of Dancing with the Stars accepts the award for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards 

Invision/AP
Derek Hough and Julianne Hough from Dancing With the Stars backstage at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera

Derek Hough and Julianne Hough from Dancing With the Stars backstage at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Derek Hough and Julianne Hough of Dancing with the Stars present at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera

Presenters Derek Hough and Julianne Hough of Dancing with the Stars at the 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards 

Invision/AP
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert at the Media Center during the 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Camera

Derek Hough, winner for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming, and Hayley Erbert at 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Derek Hough poses at the Media Center during the 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Camera

Derek Hough, winner for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming, at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Derek Hough at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys, September 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Camera

Derek Hough, winner for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming, at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys

Invision/AP
Debbie Allen and Derek Hough at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys, September 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Camera

Debbie Allen and Derek Hough at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys

Invision/AP
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys, September 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Camera

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys

Invision/AP
Derek Hough accepts an award at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Derek Hough, winner for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming, at the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys

Invision/AP
Derek Hough and Carrie Anna Inaba on stage at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Derek Hough and Carrie Anna Inaba on stage at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough on the Red Carpet at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Camera

Derek Hough on the Red Carpet at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Invision/AP
Padma Lakshmi, Derek Hough
Camera

Padma Lakshmi and Derek Hough present an award at the 2018 Creative Arts Emmys. 

Invision/ AP
Derek Hough
Camera

Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2018 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough on stage at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Derek Hough on stage at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough and Travis Wall at the 2017 Creative Arts Ball.
Camera

Derek Hough and Travis Wall at the 2017 Creative Arts Ball.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough on stage at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Derek Hough on stage at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Fred Tallaksen, Travis Wall, Mandy Moore, and Derek Hough on stage at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Fred Tallaksen, Travis Wall, Mandy Moore, and Derek Hough on stage at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Choreographers from Dancing with the Stars & So You Think You Can Dance at the Creative Arts Ball.
Camera

Choreographers from Dancing with the Stars & So You Think You Can Dance at the Creative Arts Ball.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough and Lori Greiner present an award at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Derek Hough and Lori Greiner present an award at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Kelsey McCowan and Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Kelsey McCowan and Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
2017 Choreography Nominee Reception
Camera

Ashley Edens-Shaffer and Derek Hough attend the Choreography Nominee Reception at the Television Academy's Saban Media Center on Sunday, August 27, 2017, in the NoHo Arts District in Los Angeles.

Invision/AP
2017 Choreography Nominee Reception
Camera

Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough attend the Choreography Nominee Reception at the Television Academy's Saban Media Center on Sunday, August 27, 2017, in the NoHo Arts District in Los Angeles.

Invision/AP
2017 Choreography Nominee Reception
Camera

Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough attend the Choreography Nominee Reception at the Television Academy's Saban Media Center on Sunday, August 27, 2017, in the NoHo Arts District in Los Angeles.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough and Ekaterina Fedosova at "Whose Dance Is It Anyway?" February 16, 2017, at the Saban Media Center in North Nollywood, California.
Camera

Derek Hough and Ekaterina Fedosova at "Whose Dance Is It Anyway?" February 16, 2017, at the Saban Media Center in North Nollywood, California.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough and Ekaterina Fedosova perform at "Whose Dance Is It Anyway?" February 16, 2017, at the Saban Media Center in North Nollywood, California.
Camera

Derek Hough and Ekaterina Fedosova perform at "Whose Dance Is It Anyway?" February 16, 2017, at the Saban Media Center in North Nollywood, California.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Camera

Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough at the 2016 Creative Arts Ball.
Camera

Derek Hough at the 2016 Creative Arts Ball.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
RuPaul Charles accepts an award at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

RuPaul Charles accepts an award at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Marilu Henner and Derek Hough on stage at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Marilu Henner and Derek Hough on stage at the 2016 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Camera

Derek Hough on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.  

Invision/AP
Travis Wall and Derek Hough at the 2015 Creative Arts Ball.
Camera

Travis Wall and Derek Hough at the 2015 Creative Arts Ball. 

Invision/AP
Derek Hough, Tessandra Chavez and Julianne Hough accept their award at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Camera

Derek Hough, Tessandra Chavez and Julianne Hough accept their award at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough, Julianne Hough and Travis Wall backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Derek Hough, Julianne Hough and Travis Wall backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Camera

Derek Hough backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough and Julianne Hough backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Camera

Derek Hough and Julianne Hough backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough, Travis Wall and Cat Deely backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Camera

Derek Hough, Travis Wall and Cat Deely backstage at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough, Tessandra Chavez and Julianne Hough accept their award at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Derek Hough, Tessandra Chavez and Julianne Hough accept their award at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough and Julianne Hough on the Red Carpet at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Derek Hough and Julianne Hough on the red carpet at the 2015 Creative Arts Emmys.

 

Invision/AP
Jimmy Fallon (l) Derek Hough (c) and Julianne Hough (r) arrive at the 66th Emmy Awards.
Camera

Jimmy Fallon (l) Derek Hough (c) and Julianne Hough (r) arrive at the 66th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (front) with choreography nominees (l-r): Mandy Moore, Tabitha D'Umo, Napoleon D'Umo, Travis Wall and Derek Hough at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.
Camera

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (front) with choreography nominees (l-r): Mandy Moore, Tabitha D'Umo, Napoleon D'Umo, Travis Wall and Derek Hough at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.

Invision/AP
Choreographer Derek Hough and a guest take a selfie at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.
Camera

Choreographer Derek Hough and a guest take a selfie at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.

Invision/AP
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Derek Hough at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.
Camera

Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Derek Hough at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.

Invision/AP
Travis Wall of So You Think You Can Dance and Derek Hough of Dancing with the Stars arrive for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Travis Wall of So You Think You Can Dance and Derek Hough of Dancing with the Stars arrive for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough of Dancing with the Stars arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Derek Hough of Dancing with the Stars arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Derek Hough arrives at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.
Camera

Derek Hough arrives at the Choreographers Nominee Reception in North Hollywood, California.

Invision/AP
Choreographers' video shoot
Camera
Debra Levine
Derek Hough, Tabitha D'umo and Napoleon D'umo
Camera
Debra Levine
Derek Hough and Johnny Carson
Camera
Debra Levine
Derek Hough at the Governor's Ball
Camera
Invision
Derek Hough at the Governors Ball
Camera
Invision/AP
Derek Hough on stage at the 65th Emmys
Camera
Invision/AP
Derek Hough backstage at the 65th Emmys
Camera
@PrimetimeEmmys
Derek Hough on the Red Carpet at the 65th Emmys
Camera
@PrimetimeEmmys
Jane Fonda, Derek Hough, Dan Bucatinsky, Christina Hendricks, Aaron Paul, Jane Lynch and Sofia Vergara
Camera
Phil McCarten/Invision/AP
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