Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1973-07-17
Tony Dovolani
Tony Dovolani, born Driton Dovolani on July 17, 1973, in Pristina, Kosovo (then part of SFRY), is an Albanian-American professional ballroom dancer, instructor, judge, and actor. He began folk dancing at the age of three in Kosovo. At 15, his family immigrated to Stamford, Connecticut, where he soon discovered his passion for ballroom dancing at a Fred Astaire Dance Academy.Dovolani rose to widespread prominence as a professional dancer on the American version of "Dancing with the Stars" (DWTS), where he competed for an impressive 21 consecutive seasons. He joined the show in its second season and became a fan favorite due to his charismatic personality, elegant choreography, and bright smile. His biggest victory on the show came in Season 15, the "All-Stars" season, where he and his celebrity partner, Melissa Rycroft, won the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy.Beyond DWTS, Dovolani has an extensive career in dance and entertainment. He was a World Champion American Rhythm Dancer with his professional partners, Elena Grinenko and Inna Ivanenko, in the mid-2000s, winning numerous prestigious titles. He also played a minor role as "Slick Willy" in the hit film Shall We Dance? (2004) and served as a dance instructor for the movie, coaching stars like Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere.Dovolani is also a successful entrepreneur. He is a co-owner of the "Dance With Me Dance Studios" alongside fellow DWTS professionals Maksim and Val Chmerkovskiy, with locations across the United States. He frequently makes appearances and conducts workshops, continuing to teach and inspire dancers. He has also been a guest host for segments on various television shows like "EXTRA" and "Good Morning America," and has guest-starred on TV series such as The Exes and Kevin Can Wait. In 2018, he notably guest-hosted and choreographed for the Chippendales show in Las Vegas.Tony Dovolani is recognized for his dedication to dance, his engaging personality, and his journey as an immigrant who achieved significant success in the United States.
