Rita Moreno
As a Guest
Actors Rita Moreno and George Chakiris remember the original 'West Side Story'
Moreno became the first Latina actor to win an Oscar for her role as Anita in the 1961 film. Chakiris won an Academy Award for his performance as Bernardo. Originally broadcast in 2021 and 2001.
Rita Moreno On 'West Side Story' And Becoming The Role Model She Needed
Rita Morena was the first Latina actor to receive the Oscar, for her performance in West Side Story, but she almost didn't take role. She went on to other memorable roles, but had to fight typecasting, and sexism in the industry. Now at the age of 89, she's the subject of an upcoming documentary.
Actress Rita Moreno and Vocalist Marni Nixon
Moreno won an Oscar for her role as Anita in West Side Story and has been in dozens of films and TV shows. Marni Nixon is the singing voice of Maria (played by Natalie Wood) in West Side Story. She also did voiceovers for Deborah Kerr in An Affair to Remember and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. More recently, she did voiceover work for the animated film Mulan. This interview first aired October 25, 2001.