Rita Moreno Biography

Rita Moreno is a Puerto Rico-born American actress, dancer, and singer, best known for her work in West Side Story (1961), and the comedic farce The Ritz (1975).

Rita was born in Humacao, Puerto Rico. In 1937, Rita and her mother moved to New York City, leaving behind her father and her younger brother Francisco. She took dancing lessons in her youth, and also did Spanish voice overs for American films when she was just 11 years old.

In 1945, at the age of just 13 years old, Rita landed her very first role on Broadway, playing Angelina in Skydrift, which caught the attention of Hollywood talent scouts.

In 1950, Rita made her big screen debut playing Dolores Guererro in So Young, So Bad (1950), where she was credited as Rosita Moreno.

Rita appeared in several notable films, including the musicals Singin’ in the Rain (1952), where she played Zelda Zanders, and The King and I (1956), playing Tuptim. Despite her success on the big screen, her early career was hampered by studios wanting to cast her in stereotypical ethnic roles or as a sex symbol.

In 1961, Rita appeared in West Side Story (1961), playing the role of Anita. She received a tremendous amount of critical acclaim for her fiery and cynical portrayal of Anita, even earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress along with a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture. The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, winning 10 of them, including Best Picture. West Side Story is regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time.

In 1964, Rita returned to Broadway, appearing in Sidney Brustein’s Window (1964-1965), playing the role of Iris Parodous Brustein.

In 1975, Rita appeared in the Broadway show The Ritz, playing the role of Googie Gomez. She won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her portrayal, also earning a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy when she reprised the role for the 1976 film adaptation.

From 1971 to 1977, Rita appeared on children’s educational series The Electric Company (1971-1977), where she popularized the show’s opening line, "Hey, you guys!" She and the cast of the show won a Grammy Award in 1972 for their work on the show’s album.

In 1976, Rita appeared on The Muppet Show (1976), winning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music, becoming the second woman to win an EGOT [Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award].

In 1977, Rita played the role of Sister Peter Marie Reimondo on the show Oz (1977-2003). Her work as the nun earned her several ALMA awards throughout her time on the show, including Outstanding Actress in a Television Series, and Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series.

She has continued working on film and television throughout the years, even appearning in her own documentary, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It (2021), which highlights her life and work starting from her humble beginnings in Puerto Rico, to Broadway, and Hollywood.

She most recently completed shooting the Steven Spielberg–directed adaptation of West Side Story (2021), this time playing the newly created character Valentina. She is also an executive producer for the film.

She had a relationship with Marlon Brando early in her career, but their relationship was tumultuous, bringing her so much frustration to both her personal and professional life that she attempted suicide in 1961. In 1965, Rita married Dr. Leonard Gordon, whom she had a daughter with named Fernanda. Her husband passed away in 2010 at the age of 90.

Throughout her life, Rita earned many awards in film and entertainment, but has also received recognition outside of her professional career. In 2004 Rita was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civil honor, and in 2009 President Barack Obama presented her with the National Medal of Arts.

Other notable awards include a Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award, Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and Ellis Island Medal of Honor. ~Sean Olegario

Filmography:

West Side Story (2021)
Curious George: Cape Ahoy (2021)
Torch (2021)
Remember Me (2016)
Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (2014)
Rio 2 (2014)
Play It By Ear (2006)
King of the Corner (2004)
Casa de los babys (2003)
Piñero (2001)
Blue Moon (2000)
Carlo’s Wake (1999)
Slums of Beverly Hills (1998)
Italian Movie (1995)
Angus (1995)
I Like It Like That (1994)
Age Isn’t Everything (1991)
The Four Season (1981)
Happy Birthday, Gemini (1980)
The Boss’ Son (1978)
The Ritz (1976)
Shhh (1975)
Carnal Knowledge (1971)
Marlowe (1969)
Popi (1969)
The Night of the Following Day (1969)
Cry of Battle (1963)
Samar (1962)
Summer and Smoke (1961)
West Side Story (1961)
Mga alamat ng sandaigdig (1960)
Operesyon Stragglers (1960)
This Rebel Breed (1960)
The Deerslayer (1957)
The Vagabond King (1956)
The King and I (1956)
The Lieutenant Wore Skirts (1956)
Seven Cities of Gold (1955)
Untamed (1955)
Garden of Evil (1954)
The Yellow Tomahawk (1954)
Jivaro (1954)
El Alaméin (1953)
Latin Lovers (1953)
Fort Vengeance (1953)
Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation (1952)
The Ring (1952)
Cattle Town (1952)
The Fabulous Senorita (1952)
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Pagan Love Song (1950)
The Toast of New Orleans (195)
So Young, So Bad (1950)