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Rita Moreno (born December 11, 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico) is an Academy Award-winning and the first and only Hispanic actress in history (as well as one of only nine people) to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award.

Moreno (born Rosita Dolores Alverío) moved with her mother to New York City at the age of five. When she was eleven years old, she lent her voice to Spanish-language versions of American films. She had her first Broadway role by the time she was thirteen, which caught the attention of Hollywood talent scouts. For the next ten years, Moreno played roles in movies which she considered degrading.

Finally, in 1961, Morino landed the role of "Anita" in Robert Wise's film adaptation of Leonard Bernstein's and Stephen Sondheim's groundbreaking Broadway musical, West Side Story. Moreno gained fame and an Academy Award as the Best Supporting Actress for that role.

Morino went on to be the second actor, and the first Hispanic, to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an (Oscar as mentioned), and a Tony. In 1985 she won the Sarah Siddons Award for her work in Chicago theatre.

Notably, Moreno appeared in Singin' in the Rain (1952), The King and I (1956), and Carnal Knowledge in (1971). In the 1970s and 1980s, she appeared on the PBS children's series The Electric Company, and the popular family variety series The Muppet Show. She has made guest appearances on television series such as The Rockford Files, The Love Boat, The Cosby Show, The Golden Girls, and Miami Vice. She was also a regular on the short-lived sitcom version of Nine to Five (based on the hit film) during the early 1980s.

During the mid 1990s, Moreno provided the voice of Carmen Sandiego on the hit animated PBS show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? In the late 1990s, she gained exposure to a new generation of viewers, as she played a nun trained as a psychologist in the popular HBO series, Oz. Moreno has participated in more than fifty productions, combining her television, movie and theatrical works.

Perhaps Moreno's main contribution to the Hispanic community has been her ability to transcend what some have viewed as the widespread discriminatory practices of Hollywood; she has, no doubt, set a precedent for Hispanic actors to be recognized by talent, rather than ethnicity.

Among Morino's many awards and recognitions are the following:

  • Oscar Award Best Supporting Actress, "West Side Story" (1961).
  • "The Joseph Jefferson Award" Best Chicago Theatre Actress (1968).
  • Grammy Award The Electric Company Album (1972).
  • Tony Award Best Featured Actress, "The Ritz" (1975).
  • 2 Emmy Awards "The Muppet Show" (1977), and "The Rockford Files" (1978).
  • "The Golden Apple" Cue Magazine Award.
  • "The Sarah Siddons Awards" for her portrayal of Olive Madison in the female version of the Odd Couple.
  • "Special Recognition Award" from the International Latin Music Hall of Fame (2001).
  • "Presidential Medal of Freedom" from President George W. Bush in June 2004.
  • Rita Moreno has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7083 Hollywood Blvd.

On June 18, 1965 Moreno married Lenny Gordon, who remains her husband and manager. They have one daughter, Fernanda (Gordon) Fisher.

Filmography

Television Work

See also

External link

1931 births | American film actors | American musical theatre actors | American stage actors | American television actors | Best Supporting Actress Oscar | game show panelists | Hollywood Walk of Fame | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit actors | Law & Order: Trial by Jury actors | Living people | Match Game panelists | Miami Vice actors | Oz (TV series) actors | Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients | Puerto Rican actors

Rita Moreno | Rita Moreno | Rita Moreno | Rita Moreno

 

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