Rita Moreno Bio
Rita Moreno is a Puerto Rican-American actress, singer, and dancer. She is known for films like, “West Side Story” (1961) and its new adaptation released in 2021, “Jane The Virgin” (2014-2019) and “Fast X” (2023). She is one of the last remaining stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
She is a trailblazing Hollywood icon known for her exceptional talent and groundbreaking achievements in the entertainment industry. Moreno’s career spans several decades and includes remarkable performances in film, television, and stage.
Rita Moreno Age
Born Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano on December 11, 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, she will be turning 92 years old in 2023.
Rita Moreno Height and Weight
She stands at approximately 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall, and her weight is reported to be around 54 kilograms.
Rita Moreno Family
Rita Moreno was born to Francisco José “Paco” Alverío, a farmer, and Rosa María (nee Marcano), a seamstress, both of whom were from Puerto Rico. She had 2 brothers, Dennis Moreno and Francisco “Frankie” José Alverío.
Rita Moreno Education
There is limited information available about her formal education, but she demonstrated early talent in dancing and singing, which led her to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Information about her educational background is under review and will be updated soon.
Rita Moreno Relationship
Rita Moreno has been linked with different men including Marlo Brando, Elvis Presley, Dick Van Patten, and even Morgan Freeman.
She then got married to Leonard Gordon, a cardiologist, from 1965 until his passing in 2010. They had one daughter together, Fernanda Luisa Fisher. She is currently single.
Rita Moreno Career
Rita Moreno’s career began as a child dancer in New York City. She made her film debut in 1953 in the musical “Singin’ in the Rain“. She quickly rose to fame with her breakthrough role as Anita in the 1961 film adaptation of “West Side Story,” for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This achievement made her the first Hispanic actress to win an Oscar.
Throughout her career, Moreno showcased her diverse talents in films, television shows, and theatre productions by appearing in films like “The King and I” (1956), “Carnal Knowledge” (1971), and “The Four Seasons” (1981).
On television, she was a regular on “The Electric Company” (1971-1977), a popular children’s educational program, and she earned acclaim for her work on the TV drama series “Oz” (1997-2003).
She starred in the sitcom “One Day at a Time” (2017-2020), and she played the recurring role of Liliana De La Vega on the CW series “Jane the Virgin” (2014-2019).
Moreno is an outspoken advocate for social justice and equality. She has spoken out against racism, sexism, and homophobia. She is also a strong supporter of the arts and education.
Rita Moreno TV Shows & Movies
Some of Rita Moreno’s notable TV shows and movies include:
- “West Side Story” (1961)
- “The King and I” (1956)
- “Carnal Knowledge” (1971)
- “The Four Seasons” (1981)
- “The Electric Company” (1971-1977)
- “The Nanny” (1993-1999)
- “Oz” (1997-2003)
- “Jane the Virgin” (2014-2019)
- “One Day at a Time” (2017-2020)
- “In the Heights” (2021)
- “80 for Brady” (2023)
- “Fast X” (2023)
Rita Moreno Awards
Her incredible talent has earned her numerous awards and accolades and has been nominated for 20 different major awards for her various contributions to the entertainment world and has won 16 of those nominations, including:
- She is one of the fourteen, and only Hispanic, people to have received all four major entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (also known as an EGOT)
- She was the first Latina actress to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress (she earned it for her role as Anita in “West Side Story” in 1961)
- Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series “The Muppet Show” (1977) and “The Rockford Files” (1978)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for “The Ritz” (1975)
- Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children for “The Electric Company Album” (1972)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2004)
- Kennedy Center Honor (2015)
- Golden Globe
- Joseph Jefferson Award
- Golden Apple
- Library of Living Legends
- 2 HOLA (Hispanic Organization of Latin Actresses) Awards
- Sarah Siddons Award
- Special Recognition Award
- A star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame
- Screen Actors Guild Life Achievements Award.
From politicians, she has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (George W. Bush), the California Hall of Fame (Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger), and the National Medal of Arts (Barack Obama).
In 2019, she received the Peabody Career Achievement Award for her extraordinary contributions to the arts and entertainment industry.
Rita Moreno’s Net Worth
Rita Moreno’s net worth is estimated to be around $12 million. Her successful acting and singing career, combined with other endeavors, contribute to her wealth.
Rita Moreno’s legacy extends far beyond her impressive list of awards. She has been an influential advocate for diversity and representation in the entertainment industry, paving the way for generations of actors and actresses of Hispanic heritage. Her dedication to her craft and her commitment to using her platform to promote positive change has made her a beloved and respected figure in Hollywood.
Moreno is one of the most decorated performers in American history. She is the only person to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, also known as an EGOT.
