Tony Dovolani

Tony Dovolani’s dance partner for season 13 of “Dancing with the Stars,” is actress, singer Chynna Phillips. She is married to William (Billy) Baldwin and has three children. Tony joined the show in its second season and quickly became a fan favorite. He was paired with Stacy Keibler in season 2 and they finished in 3rd place. His other partners included: Sara Evans in Season 3, Leeza Gibbons in Season 4, Jane Seymour in Season 5, Marissa Jaret Winokur in Season 6, Susan Lucci in Season 7, season 8 partner was Melissa Rycroft, Kathy Ireland was season 9. Kate Gosselin was season 10, Audrina Patridge was season 11 and Wendy Williams was season 12.

Tony was one of the judges for the 2011 Miss America competition, which broadcast live on ABC on January 15, 2011 from Las Vegas. He teamed up with fellow “Dancing with the Stars” pro Cheryl Burke to choreograph and perform a special Paso Doble for Pixar animators at The Pixar Studios. The routine, danced to the Gipsy King’s Spanish take on “You've Got a Friend in Me (Para Buzz Español),” provided the inspiration behind a dance sequence in “Toy Story 3” featuring Buzz Lightyear—who gets switched into Spanish-language mode—and cowgirl Jessie. "Toy Story 3” has become the top grossing animated film world wide and won the Oscar for Best Animated Film.

Born in Prishtina, Kosova, on July 17. Tony began folk dancing at age three. He was 15 when he and his entire family moved to the United States. He attended Fred Astaire Dance Academy and knew he had found his passion. Tony has been a strong and successful competitor in the ballroom dancing world. He, and his partner for many years, Elena Grinenko have retired from competing and remain close friends. When he isn’t dancing on “Dancing with the Stars” he teaches and does personal appearances around the country on behalf of Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Tony and fellow dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy are partners in the dance studios, Come Dance with Me, in New York and New Jersey.

Tony’s professional body of work includes co-hosting segments on “EXTRA” and corresponding for “Good Morning America” He played Latin bad boy competitor, ‘Slick Willy,’ in the hit film “Shall We Dance.” He was a dance instructor on the film and had the privilege of coaching and working with Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez and Stanley Tucci.

Tony and his wife Lina are proud parents of their daughter Luana and twins born September 8, 2008, Adrian Driton Dovolani, and Ariana Dovolani.

Tony’s many achievements include.

• 2006 Nominated for an Emmy for outstanding choreography for Dancing with the Stars for episode #208 (Dance: Jive).
• 2006 PBS America's Ballroom Challenge Rhythm Champion
• 2006 Emerald Ball Open Professional American Rhythm Champion[5]
• 2006 United States Open Rhythm Champion with Elena Grinenko
• 2006 World Rhythm Champion with Elena Grinenko
• 2005 Ohio Star Ball American Rhythm Champion[6]
• 2005 United States Open Rhythm Champion with Inna Ivanenko
• 2005 World Rhythm Champion with Inna Ivanenko

He is an avid golfer and enjoys hitting the links whenever his schedule allows.