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Rita Moreno

Birth Place: Humacao, Puerto Rico

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BIO

Moreno's career has spanned over 70 years; her notable acting work includes supporting roles in the musical films Singin' in the Rain (1952), The King and I (1956) and West Side Story (1961), as well as a 1971 to 1977 stint on the children's television series The Electric Company, and a supporting role as Sister Peter Marie Reimondo on the HBO series Oz from 1997 to 2003. 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 voiced the titular role of Carmen Sandiego in Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? from 1994 to 1999. For theater, she is best known for her role as Googie Gomez in The Ritz.



As of 2020, she is currently portraying the role of the matriarch Lydia Margarita del Carmen Inclán Maribona Leyte-Vidal de Riera in the 2017 remake of One Day at a Time.
Moreno is one of the few artists to have won all four major annual American entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. She is also one of 23 people who have achieved what is called the Triple Crown of Acting, with individual competitive Academy, Emmy and Tony awards for acting; she and Helen Hayes are the only two who have achieved both distinctions. She has won numerous other awards, including various lifetime achievement awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor. In 2015, she was awarded a Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award for her contribution to American culture, through performing arts. She was awarded the Peabody Career Achievement Award in 2019.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]

[Regional (US)]
Regional Concert, 1998
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1985
Olive Madison

[Broadway]
1981
Louise

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1975
Googie Gomez

[Broadway]
1974
Staff Nurse Norton

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1970
Sharon Falconer

[Broadway]
1969
Elaine Navazio [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1964
Iris Parodus Brustein

[West End]
London Production, 1964
Performer

[Broadway]
1945
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Concert [Off-Broadway], 1977
Ilona Ritter


Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1977 - Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical

Rita Moreno, She Loves Me

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Rita Moreno, The Ritz

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Rita Moreno , The Ritz

Videos

News


Video: Rita Moreno Recalls WEST SIDE STORY Oscar Win

On a recent visit to Late Night with Seth Meyers, Rita Moreno recalled winning the Oscar in 1962 for West Side Story, despite having no expectations that she would take home the award. Watch her interview now!
Video: Rachel Zegler Discusses Latest Projects, Reunion with Rita Moreno

Rachel Zegler is booked and busy. The Romeo + Juliet star visited Late Night with Seth Meyers on Thursday to discuss her many current and upcoming projects, which include the animated musical Spellbound, the disaster comedy Y2K, and more. Watch the interview here!
Rita Moreno and Rachel Zegler to Visit LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS Tonight

It's a West Side Story reunion! Tonight on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Rita Moreno and Rachel Zegler will appear on the show, with the latter discussing her starring roles in Broadway's Romeo + Juliet and the new animated musical Spellbound.
Mattel Releases Rita Moreno-Inspired Barbie Doll

In celebration of Rita Moreno’s upcoming 93rd birthday, Barbie is honoring her with a doll as the newest addition to the Barbie Tribute Collection. Learn more!
Nevada Ballet Theatre Announces 41st ANNUAL BLACK & WHITE BALL

Nevada Ballet Theatre announced its 2025 Woman of the Year, recognizing a prominent figure for her contributions to the arts and community.
Josh O'Connor Cast in Steven Spielberg's 2026 Film

Josh O'Connor is the latest performer to be cast in Steven Spielberg's next film. The actor has joined Spielberg's 'event film,' which hits theaters on May 15, 2026 and will appear alongside the previously announced Colman Domingo, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, and Eve Hewson.
Ben Jones and Laurence Hobgood Come to Birdland

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present acclaimed vocalist Ben Jones and Grammy Award-winning pianist, composer and arranger Laurence Hobgood on Monday, December 9 at 7:00 PM. 
Jane Lynch's A SWINGIN' LITTLE CHRISTMAS Adds Performance At Steppenwolf Theatre

Jane Lynch's A SWINGIN' LITTLE CHRISTMAS adds a new performance at Steppenwolf Theatre.
RAPUNZEL AND HER HOLIDAY WISH World Premiere Casting Announced

Laguna Playhouse will present Lythgoe Family Productions ninth “Panto at the Playhouse” with Darcy Rose Byrnes as “Rapunzel,” L.J. Benet as “Prince Sebastian,” and Larry Saperstein as “Simple Simon,” joining the previously announced Sally Struthers.
Jennifer Holliday & More to Perform With The San Francisco Symphony This Holiday Season

The San Francisco Symphony’s 2024 holiday season, December 1–21, will feature a festive lineup of programs, including performances of traditional Christmas classical music, family-friendly events and more. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Video: Rachel Zegler & Jack Antonoff Perform 'Man of the House' from ROMEO + JULIET

In an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Rachel Zegler and Jack Antonoff were joined by the cast of Romeo + Juliet for a performance of 'Man of the House.' Check out the video here!
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra And Music Director Radu Paponiu Kick Off First Season Together In November

The SF Symphony Youth Orchestra announced Radu Paponiu as the new Wattis Foundation Music Director for the 2024–25 season, marking a new chapter in the orchestra's leadership.
Billy Porter to Join Jason Robert Brown in Concert at Carnegie Hall

Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Award-winning performer Billy Porter will join three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown for his Carnegie Hall solo concert debut. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, & More Attend Academy Museum Gala

On Saturday, October 19, The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures held its fourth annual gala. The celebratory evening was a star-studded affair with Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Rita Moreno, Colman Domingo, Ariana DeBose, and more in attendance. Take a look at photos from the evening!
STILL WORKING 9 TO 5 Documentary Now Available to Stream

After two years on the film festival circuit, the award-winning documentary Still Working 9 to 5 is now available to watch on Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon Prime.
A History of Norma Desmond and the Women Who Have Played Her

As Broadway welcomes Sunset Boulevard back to the stage, and the newest Norma Desmond, Nicole Scherzinger, BroadwayWorld is looking back on just some of the performers who have taken on the iconic role in the past.
Video: Ariana DeBose Reveals the Best Lesson She Learned From Rita Moreno

Ariana DeBose is sharing the best lesson she received from Broadway icon Rita Moreno, who she worked with on West Side Story. Both performers won Academy Awards for their performances as Anita in the West Side Story films.
Interview: Theatre Life with Alina Collins Maldonado

Today’s subject Alina Collins Maldonado is currently living her theatre life at Folger Theatre where she can be seen as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet. The production runs through November 10th.
Rita Moreno to Join Academy Museum for WEST SIDE STORY Screening and Conversation

Academy Award®-winning actress and Academy Museum Gala honoree Rita Moreno will visit the Academy Museum for a conversation on her life and iconic eight-decade long career. The conversation will be followed by a screening of West Side Story (1961) in 70 mm.
Full Cast Announced for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Starring Jason Alexander at La Mirada Theatre

LA Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment announced the cast for their upcoming production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, featuring a talented ensemble ready to bring the classic musical to life.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Rita Moreno been in?

Rita Moreno has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.

How many West End shows has Rita Moreno been in?

Rita Moreno has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Rita Moreno's first West End show?

Rita Moreno's first West End show was She Loves Me which opened in 1964

What awards has Rita Moreno been nominated for?

Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for She Loves Me, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Ritz and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Ritz.

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