Pioneers
Rita Moreno
The iconic star continues to pave the way for younger generations
Rita Moreno is without a doubt one of the most iconic movie stars. The Puerto Rican actress and dancer has showcased her talent since she first stepped on the scene during the last years of the Golden Age of Hollywood, starring in the 1952 film ‘Singin’ in the Rain,’ and ‘West Side Story,’ which would earn her the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1961.
After her first Broadway role as Angelina in ‘Skydrift’ at the age of 13, Rita was discovered by a talent scout and her incredible career would take off, paving the way for more Latin stars to come. Rita has continued to work nonstop, opening doors for younger generations and achieving success, since her portrayal of Anita in ‘West Side Story.’
Rita detailed her first meeting with an MGM executive during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “It was just a magical moment. I had done my best to look like Elizabeth Taylor — I did my eyebrows like her, I did my hair like her, I had a waist-cincher so that I could have a wasp-waist like her. When he saw me he said, “My God, she looks like a Spanish Elizabeth Taylor!” And I thought, “Victory!””
The talented star is also one of just 16 people to have ever been honored with the EGOT status, after becoming an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner.
Other achievements include the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, the National Medal of the Arts in 2009, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2013, the Kennedy Center Honor of Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award in 2015, and the Peabody Career Achievement Award in 2019.
Rita continues to give life to new roles in film and television, starring in the sports comedy ‘80 for Brady’ this year, alongside fellow stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Sally Field. She also starred as Abuelita Toretto, Vin Diesel’s grandma, in the tenth installment of ‘Fast & Furious.’
The actress appeared in the 2012 remake of ‘West Side Story’ and shared her thoughts about Ariana Debose playing the role of Anita, first played by Rita in the first adaptation. “Ariana is an Afro-Latina, and I’ve always felt that Anita should be that,” she said to THR, describing her as “a terrific dancer.”
