Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno

  • Birthday: 1931-12-11
  • Place of birth: Humacao, Puerto Rico
  • Also know as: Rosa Dolores Alverío

Biography

Rita Moreno (born Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano; December 11, 1931) is a Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer. Noted for her work across different areas of the entertainment industry, she has appeared in numerous film, television, and theater projects throughout her extensive career spanning over seven decades. Her work includes supporting roles in the classic musical films Singin' in the Rain (1952), The King and I (1956), and the 1961 and 2021 film adaptations of West Side Story. Her other notable films include Popi (1969), Carnal Knowledge (1971), The Four Seasons (1981), I Like It Like That (1994) and the cult film Slums of Beverly Hills (1998). She is also known for her work on television including the children's television series The Electric Company (1971–1977), and as Sister Peter Marie Reimondo on the HBO series Oz (1997–2003). She voiced the titular role of in Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? from 1994 to 1999. She also gained acclaim for her roles in Jane the Virgin (2015–2019) and the revival of Norman Lear's One Day at a Time (2017–2020). In theater, she is best known for her role as Googie Gomez in the 1975 musical The Ritz. Among her numerous accolades, Moreno is one of a few performers to have been awarded an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony (EGOT). She is also one of 24 people who have achieved what is called the Triple Crown of Acting, with individual competitive Academy, Emmy and Tony awards for acting. In 2004, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor bestowed upon her by George W. Bush. In 2009, President Barack Obama presented her with the National Medal of Arts. In 2013, she received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. In 2015, she was awarded a Kennedy Center Honor for her contribution to American culture through performing arts. She was awarded the Peabody Award in 2019. Her life was profiled in the 2021 documentary Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It.

Filmography

Singin' in the Rain

1952

As Zelda Zanders

West Side Story

1961

As Anita

Marlowe

1969

As Dolores Gonzáles

The Four Seasons

1981

As Claudia Zimmer

Angus

1995

As Madame Rulenska

Garden of Evil

1954

As Cantina Singer

Carnal Knowledge

1971

As Louise

Slums of Beverly Hills

1998

As Belle Abromowitz

The Ritz

1976

As Googie Gomez

The King and I

1956

As Tuptim

The Ring

1952

As Lucy Gomez

Untamed

1955

As Julia

So Young, So Bad

1950

As Dolores Guererro (as Rosita Moreno)

Pagan Love Song

1950

As Terru

This Rebel Breed

1960

As Lola Montalvo

Summer and Smoke

1961

As Rosa Zacharias

The Deerslayer

1957

As Hetty Hutter

The Lieutenant Wore Skirts

1956

As Sandra Roberts

Jivaro

1954

As Maroa

Cry of Battle

1963

As Sisa

Cattle Town

1952

As Queli

Rio 2

2014

As Aunt Mimi (voice)

Latin Lovers

1953

As Christina

Nicky Deuce

2013

As Tutti

The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo

2005

As Narrator (voice)

The Fabulous Senorita

1952

As Manuela Rodríguez

Evita Peron

1981

As Renata Riguel

Portrait of a Showgirl

1982

As Rosella DeLeon

Fort Vengeance

1953

As Bridget Fitzgibbon

The Vagabond King

1956

As Huguette

I Like It Like That

1994

As Rosaria Linares

Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks

2014

As Ida Barksdale

A Gift of Miracles

2015

As Beverly Davis

Popi

1969

As Lupe

Blue Moon

2000

As Maggie Cavallo

The Yellow Tomahawk

1954

As Honey Bear

Happy Birthday, Gemini

1980

As Lucille Pompi

Remember Me

2016

As Nanna

The Spree

1998

As Irma Kelly

Out to Lunch

1974

As Self / Divorce Woman / Posy / Spectator / 50s Dancer

Resurrection

1999

As Mimi

The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads

1999

As Rita Kapkovic Landale

The Boss' Son

1978

As Esther Rose

Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of Mexico

2003

As Doña Dolores / Woman #3 (voice)

Italian Movie

1993

As Isabella

Every Act of Life

2018

As Self

West Side Story

2021

As Valentina

Working

1982

As Waitress

The Wharf Rat

1996

As Mom

El Alaméin

1953

As Jara

Voice of La Raza

1971

As Herself

And the Oscar Goes To...

2014

As Self (archive footage)

West Side Memories

2003

As Self

King of the Corner

2004

As Inez

Torch

2018

As Aunt Francine

The Prank

2024

As Mrs. Wheeler

Curious George: Cape Ahoy

2021

As Gertrude St. John(voice)

My Father's Dragon

2022

As Mrs. McClaren (voice)

Fast X

2023

As Abuelita

Celebrity Habla

2009

As Self

Samar

1962

As Woman Convict

Santa Bootcamp

2022

As Belle

Open House

2003

As Lydia Fitch

Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?

1994

As Carmen Sandiego

80 for Brady

2023

As Maura

Family Switch

2023

As Angelica

The Muppet Revue

1985

As Self

Paul Newman: The Restless

2023

As Self (archive footage)

Carlo's Wake

1999

As Angela Torello

Casa de los Babys

2003

As Señora Muñoz

The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years

1986

As Self (archive footage)

Theirs

0000

As

Clemente

2024

As Self

Jim Henson Idea Man

2024

As Self

Production

West Side Story

2021

As Executive Producer

keyboard_arrow_up