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Who Is Rita Moreno?
Rita Moreno is an iconic actress best known for her portrayal of Anita in the 1961 film West Side Story, a performance that garnered her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This historic win made her the first Latina actress to receive an Oscar. Moreno’s career spans decades and includes notable appearances on children’s television shows such as Sesame Street and The Electric Company. She is one of only 11 individuals to achieve the prestigious EGOT status, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. In 2019, she became the first Latino recipient of a Peabody Award, further solidifying her status as a PEGOT.
Early Life
Born Rosa Dolores Alverio on December 11, 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Moreno has paved the way for Latinos in the entertainment industry throughout her career. She entered show business at a young age, making her stage debut on Broadway and landing her first film role in her early teens, during which time she left formal schooling.
West Side Story Success
Moreno’s most celebrated performance came in West Side Story, a modern musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As Anita, she showcased her versatility by singing, dancing, and performing emotionally charged scenes. Her work earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first Hispanic actress to achieve this honor.
Other Achievements and EGOT Status
Following her success in West Side Story, Moreno continued to take on diverse roles in both film and theater, collaborating with acclaimed actors such as Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, and James Garner. In the 1970s, she joined the cast of The Electric Company, a children’s educational program, where she became known for her catchphrase, “Hey, you guys.” The show’s soundtrack earned the cast a Grammy Award in 1972.
Moreno’s accolades continued with a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in The Ritz (1975). Additionally, she received two Emmy Awards for guest appearances on The Muppet Show (1977) and The Rockford Files (1978). She remains one of the few individuals to have achieved EGOT status.
Moreno further showcased her talent in the critically acclaimed series Oz, where she portrayed a no-nonsense nun from 1997 to 2003. She remains active in the entertainment industry, participating in feature films, television guest appearances, and theatrical productions. She also served as a co-producer for the 2021 remake of West Side Story.
PEGOT
In 2019, Moreno was honored with a Peabody Career Achievement Award, becoming the first Latino recipient and only the second person to achieve this honor. With this recognition, she joined the ranks of PEGOT winners, a prestigious title held by only two others: director Mike Nichols and performer Barbra Streisand.
Personal Life
Moreno was once romantically linked to Marlon Brando and married Dr. Leonard Gordon in 1965. The couple had one daughter, Fernanda, and two grandchildren. Dr. Gordon passed away in 2010 at the age of 90.