Mark Ballas Net Worth: Age, Wife, Son, Parents, Height, Weight, Education and Siblings
Last Updated: October 21, 2026,
Mark Ballas has been part of Dancing with the Stars for so long that it’s hard to picture the show without him. Since 2007 he’s danced, choreographed and collected three mirrorball trophies. Along the way he also picked up a guitar, a stage career and a side business flipping houses. No surprise, then, that people keep searching for the basics: how old he is, what he’s worth, who he married and where he comes from.
This article pulls those answers together as of October 2026. Some of it is simple fact, like his birthday. Other parts, like his net worth, come with a few caveats, and I’ll point those out as we go.
Table of Contents
- Mark Ballas Quick Facts
- Who Is Mark Ballas?
- Mark Ballas Age and Birthday
- Early Life and Family Background
- Mark Ballas Parents
- Does Mark Ballas Have Siblings?
- Mark Ballas Education
- Mark Ballas Career
- Mark Ballas Net Worth 2026
- Mark Ballas Wife BC Jean
- Mark Ballas Son Banksi
- Mark Ballas Height and Weight
- Mark Ballas on Social Media
- A Few More Things Worth Knowing
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Mark Ballas Quick Facts
If you only want the main points, this table covers them. Everything is explained in more detail further down.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark Alexander Ballas Jr. |
| Date of Birth | May 24, 1986 |
| Age (October 2026) | 40 |
| Birthplace | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Dancer, choreographer, singer songwriter, musician, actor |
| Net Worth | Estimated $2 million to $4 million (Yahoo, Tuko) |
| Wife | BC Jean (Brittany Jean Carlson), married November 25, 2016 |
| Child | Son, Banksi Wylde Ballas, born November 5, 2023 |
| Father | Corky Ballas |
| Mother | Shirley Ballas |
| Siblings | None, he is an only child |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | Around 70 kg (154 lbs) |
| Shoe Size | US 8 |
| Hair Color | Dark brown |
| Schools | Rosemead Preparatory School, Italia Conti Academy of Performing Arts |
| Band | Alexander Jean, with BC Jean |
| DWTS Wins | 3 (seasons 6, 8 and 31) |
Who Is Mark Ballas?
On paper, he’s a dancer, choreographer, singer songwriter and actor. In practice, he’s the guy who has been in the DWTS ballroom longer than most of the celebrities he’s coached have been famous. His Wikipedia entry says he’s been a pro on the ABC show since 2007, that he’s won it three times and that he earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for choreography.
Dancing was basically the family business. His mom and dad were both champion ballroom dancers, and his grandfather ran a big dance studio in Houston. So when Mark started dancing as a little kid, nobody was surprised. What people didn’t see coming was how far beyond ballroom he’d go. These days he writes songs with his wife, plays guitar on stage and fixes up houses in Los Angeles on the side.
Mark Ballas Age and Birthday
Mark was born on May 24, 1986, in Houston, Texas. That makes him 40 right now, since he turned 40 this past May. He’ll be 41 on May 24, 2027. His star sign is Gemini, for anyone who cares about that sort of thing.
Forty isn’t old by any measure, but it’s a point where a lot of professional dancers start thinking about what comes next. Mark seems to have been planning for that for a long time, given how many other things he does.
Early Life and Family Background
A Childhood Spent in Studios
He was born in Houston, but a good chunk of his childhood happened in South London. His parents, Corky and Shirley Ballas, competed in ballroom and Latin dance and later moved into teaching and television. That means Mark grew up with rehearsals, costume fittings and competition weekends as normal parts of life. Most kids have soccer practice. He had dance class.
Derek and Julianne Hough
Another interesting piece of his childhood is how close he got to Derek and Julianne Hough. The two siblings lived and trained with the Ballas family when they were young. Mark calls Derek his brother, and Julianne has a sister type bond with him too. You can read about it on the Shirley Ballas Wikipedia page and in a People piece on the Hough siblings.
The Grandfather Who Invented the Weed Eater
This one surprises people. Mark’s grandfather, George Ballas, started the Dance City USA studio and then invented the Weed Eater, the string trimmer you’ve probably seen in a garage somewhere. His grandmother, Maria Marulanda, was a flamenco dancer. So there’s creativity on one side of the family and a head for business on the other, and Mark seems to have picked up a bit of both.
Mark Ballas Parents
His parents are Corky Ballas and Shirley Ballas, both retired competitive ballroom dancers. According to People, they got married in 1985, Mark arrived in 1986 and they split in 2007.
Corky Ballas
Corky’s full name is Mark Alexander “Corky” Ballas Sr., and he was born in Houston. In competition he was a seven time undefeated US International Latin Champion and also won the Open to the World British title. He later showed up on Dancing with the Stars as a pro for several seasons, so Mark wasn’t the first Ballas to appear on that show. His Wikipedia page has more.
Shirley Ballas
Shirley (born Shirley Annette Rich) grew up in Wallasey, England. She was a champion Latin and ballroom dancer, so well known in that world that people call her the “Queen of Latin.” Today most viewers know her as the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing in the UK. She’s also trained a lot of dancers, including Mark, Derek Hough and Julianne Hough. Read more on her Wikipedia page.
What Did He Take from Them?
Probably more than he realizes. Both parents were strict about practice and technique, and you can see that in how Mark dances. Clean lines, sharp timing, a lot of control. He didn’t pick that up by accident.
Does Mark Ballas Have Siblings?
No. He’s an only child, according to People. You might come across websites that name brothers and sisters, but they don’t line up with trustworthy reports, so I’d skip them.
Still, he didn’t grow up lonely. Derek Hough lived with the Ballas family as a kid, and the two think of each other as brothers. Julianne trained there too. People in the dance world often describe the three of them as just as close as any real siblings. If you want to hear it from them, here’s a short video of Mark and Derek talking about it.
Mark Ballas Education
Rosemead Preparatory School
For regular school, Mark went to Rosemead Preparatory School in South London. Dance, singing and acting classes happened on the side.
Italia Conti
The performing arts part started very early. He joined the Italia Conti Associate School at four, and at 11 he started full time at the academy on a full scholarship. He graduated with honors in 2005 and was named Performer of the Year. You can see his entry on the Italia Conti alumni page.
Why Does It Matter?
Because he didn’t just learn to dance. He learned to sing and act too. That mix is probably why he moved so easily between a ballroom floor, a Broadway stage and a recording studio.
Also Read: Sam Elliott Net Worth, Wife, Age, Height, Weight
Mark Ballas Career
Dancing with the Stars
Mark started on Dancing with the Stars in season 5 and has been one of its steadiest pros ever since. Three of his seasons ended with a win.
Season 6: Kristi Yamaguchi
The first came in season 6, paired with Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. Their routines were smooth and polished, and the judges loved them.
Season 8: Shawn Johnson
Next up was season 8 with gymnast Shawn Johnson. She brought the athleticism, he brought the choreography, and it worked. Plenty of longtime viewers still rank that pair near the top.
Season 31: Charli D’Amelio
Then came season 31 with Charli D’Amelio, a social media star. That win put him in front of a much younger audience than he’d had before.
His choreography also got him an Emmy nomination, which says a lot about what he does when the cameras aren’t focused on his feet.
Music
Music isn’t a hobby for Mark. He and his wife BC Jean perform together as the pop rock duo Alexander Jean, a name made from their middle names. They write, record and play live, including on television. More about BC Jean’s side of things is on her Wikipedia page.
Acting and Theater
He’s done a fair bit of theater too. Jersey Boys, Grease and Kinky Boots are some of the productions he’s appeared in. His bio at MSA Agency adds Copacabana, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Jesus Christ Superstar, where he took on the role of Judas.
Real Estate
When he’s not dancing or performing, Mark buys homes around Los Angeles, fixes them up and sells them. It’s a smart second income. Entertainment work comes in bursts, and property gives him something a bit steadier.
Mark Ballas Net Worth 2026
Most sources put his net worth somewhere between $2 million and $4 million. Yahoo says roughly $2 million, and Tuko lands in a similar spot. Keep in mind these are outside guesses. Mark hasn’t published his finances, and nobody outside his circle knows the exact number.
Where the Money Comes From
| Source | Notes |
|---|---|
| Dancing with the Stars | Years as a pro, three wins and choreography work |
| Music | Live shows, releases and the Alexander Jean duo |
| Theater and acting | Stage roles including Jersey Boys, Grease and Kinky Boots |
| Real estate | Buying, renovating and selling homes in the Los Angeles area |
Why You See Different Numbers
If you search around, you’ll find figures from $1.5 million all the way past $5 million. That’s because a lot of celebrity sites just copy each other, rely on old numbers or make rough guesses. I’ve gone with the $2 million to $4 million range because it turns up most often across the more credible sources. Treat it as a ballpark, not a bank statement.
Mark Ballas Wife BC Jean
Mark is married to singer songwriter BC Jean, whose birth name is Brittany Jean Carlson. She co wrote Beyoncé’s hit “If I Were a Boy,” and she also performs with Mark in Alexander Jean. Her Wikipedia page and this People profile go into more detail.
How Their Story Unfolded
| When | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2012 | They met at a friend’s singer songwriter get together |
| November 2015 | Engaged, with the news shared in January 2016 |
| November 25, 2016 | Married at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, California |
| November 5, 2023 | Son Banksi Wylde was born |
They were together about four years before the wedding, and music has always been part of what holds them together. The Knot has a longer look at their relationship.
Could BC Jean Dance on the Show?
People ask this a lot. Mark answered the question in an E! News interview. For now, though, the two are much more likely to appear together with instruments than dance shoes.
Also Read: Jasmine Mathews Net Worth, Age, Fiancé, Kids, Parents, Height, Education and More
Mark Ballas Son Banksi
Mark and BC Jean have one child, a boy named Banksi Wylde Ballas. He was born on November 5, 2023. ABC News covered the announcement, and Mark posted a sweet welcome message on Instagram in December 2023. Banksi is two right now and turns three on November 5, 2026.
A Rainbow Baby
The couple has been open about the fact that Banksi is their rainbow baby, which means he arrived after a pregnancy loss. They had a miscarriage in 2022 and later talked about it in interviews and in their music. E! News covered it at the time. Sharing that took some courage, and a lot of families say it helped them feel less alone.
Mark Ballas Height and Weight
Mark is 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm) and weighs about 70 kg (154 pounds), though it can move a bit depending on how heavy his rehearsal schedule is. He has dark brown hair and wears a US size 8 shoe.
| Measurement | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | 70 kg (154 lbs) |
| Shoe Size | US 8 |
| Hair | Dark brown |
How He Keeps Fit
You’d expect a pro dancer to work out a lot, and Mark does. Reports describe several hours of dancing a day on busy weeks, along with weight training. He leans toward protein heavy meals and juicing. You can read more in his EatingWell interview and in a Daily Burn feature.
Mark Ballas on Social Media
He’s active on a handful of platforms. If you want to see music clips, family photos or dance updates, start with these.
| Platform | Handle |
|---|---|
| @markballas | |
| TikTok | @markballas1 |
| X (Twitter) | @MarkBallas |
| Mark Ballas |
His Instagram has more than a million followers. His bio calls him a dad, husband, guitar player, music maker and three time DWTS champ, which covers it pretty well.
A Few More Things Worth Knowing
- He started training in the arts when he was only four.
- He finished at Italia Conti in 2005 and was named Performer of the Year.
- His grandfather invented the Weed Eater.
- His mom is called the “Queen of Latin.”
- His three DWTS partners were Kristi Yamaguchi, Shawn Johnson and Charli D’Amelio.
- The name Alexander Jean comes from his and BC Jean’s middle names.
- BC Jean co wrote “If I Were a Boy” for Beyoncé.
- He’s an only child, but Derek Hough feels like a brother to him.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Mark Ballas?
He’s 40. He was born on May 24, 1986.
How much is Mark Ballas worth?
Estimates run from about $2 million to $4 million.
Who is Mark Ballas married to?
Singer songwriter BC Jean, also known as Brittany Jean Carlson. They got married on November 25, 2016.
Does he have children?
Yes, a son named Banksi Wylde, born November 5, 2023.
Who are his parents?
Corky and Shirley Ballas, both retired ballroom dancers. They divorced in 2007.
Does Mark Ballas have a brother or sister?
No, he’s an only child. Derek and Julianne Hough grew up alongside him, though, and he treats them like family.
How tall is he?
5 feet 6 inches, or 168 cm.
How much does he weight?
Roughly 70 kg (154 lbs).
Where did he go to school?
Rosemead Preparatory School in South London, then the Italia Conti Academy of Performing Arts on a full scholarship.
How many times has he won Dancing with the Stars?
Three: seasons 6, 8 and 31.
Final Thoughts
Mark Ballas started out in a house full of dancers and has spent most of his life turning that head start into something bigger. He trained in London from the age of four, became a fixture on Dancing with the Stars and then kept finding new things to do, from music and theater to real estate. Today he’s 40, married to BC Jean, raising a little boy and still going. His net worth sits somewhere between $2 million and $4 million, depending on who’s counting.
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