50 Facts About Rita Moreno

Early Life and Beginnings

Rita Moreno's journey to stardom began in Puerto Rico and took her to the bright lights of Hollywood. Her early years were filled with challenges and opportunities that shaped her illustrious career.

1. Birth Name and Early Life: Born Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Rita was nicknamed "Rosita" during her childhood.

2. Family Background: Her parents were Paco José Alverío, a farmer, and Rosa Maria Alverío, a garment worker.

3. Move to New York: At five, Rita and her mother moved to New York City, leaving behind her younger brother Francisco.

4. Early Education: Rita began speaking English when she entered elementary school, a significant challenge given her Puerto Rican upbringing.

5. Dance Lessons: Around six, Rita started taking Spanish dance lessons from Paco Cansino, the teacher and uncle of Rita Hayworth.

6. First Performance: At nine, Rita had her first performance dancing at a nightclub in Greenwich Village.

7. Radio Plays: As a child, Rita performed in radio plays on "The Ave Maria Hour."

8. Broadway Debut: Rita made her Broadway debut at 13 in the musical "Skydrift."

Hollywood Breakthrough and Challenges

Rita's early career in Hollywood was marked by both significant achievements and frustrating typecasting. Her perseverance eventually led to groundbreaking roles.

9. MGM Contract: Spotted by a talent scout, Rita was signed to a contract with MGM in 1949. She adopted the stage name Rita Moreno.

10. First Film Role: Rita’s first film role was in "So Young, So Bad" (1950), where she played a juvenile delinquent.

11. Early Career Challenges: Rita often faced typecasting and stereotypical roles, including ethnic and sexualized parts.

12. Breakthrough Role: Her breakthrough role came in 1961 when she was cast as Anita in "West Side Story," earning her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

13. Golden Globe Award: Rita also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in "West Side Story" in 1962.

14. Career Frustration: Despite her Oscar win, Rita faced continued mistreatment in Hollywood, leading her to leave the industry for seven years.

15. Return to Hollywood: Rita returned to Hollywood in the 1970s with notable films like "The Night of the Following Day," "Carnal Knowledge," and "Marlowe."

Television and Stage Success

Rita's talent shone brightly on television and stage, earning her numerous accolades and solidifying her status as an entertainment icon.

16. The Electric Company: During the 1970s, Rita starred as a main cast member of the PBS children’s television series "The Electric Company."

17. Tony Award: In 1975, Rita earned a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for her performance in the musical "The Ritz."

18. Emmy Awards: Rita won two Emmy Awards: one for her appearance on "The Muppet Show" in 1977 and another for her role on "The Rockford Files" in 1978.

19. EGOT Status: Rita became the third person in history and the first Latina to win all four major entertainment awards: an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony.

20. Hollywood Walk of Fame: On July 20, 1995, Rita was presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7080 Hollywood Blvd.

Honors and Recognition

Rita's contributions to the arts have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors, celebrating her impact on culture and entertainment.

21. Presidential Medal of Freedom: In 2004, Rita was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President George W. Bush.

22. National Arts Medal: On February 25, 2010, President Barack Obama presented her with the 2009 National Arts Medal.

23. One-Woman Show: In 2011, Rita toured the country in her one-woman show "Life without Makeup."

24. Latino Inaugural 2013: On January 20, 2013, Rita appeared with Chita Rivera, Eva Longoria, and others at the Latino Inaugural 2013.

25. Autobiography: Her autobiography, "Rita Moreno: A Memoir," was published on March 5, 2013.

26. Great American Songbook Hall of Fame: In June 2013, Rita was inducted into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame.

27. Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award: On January 18, 2014, Rita was presented with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

28. Kennedy Center Honors: On December 6, 2015, Rita was a Kennedy Center Honors recipient.

Continued Influence and Legacy

Even in her later years, Rita Moreno continues to inspire and entertain, leaving a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.

29. West Side Story Remake: In November 2018, it was announced that Rita would join the cast of Steven Spielberg’s remake of "West Side Story."

30. Documentary Premiere: The documentary "Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Decided to Go For It" premiered in theaters on June 18, 2021.

31. Early Career Struggles: Despite her success, Rita faced significant career struggles, including a tumultuous relationship with Marlon Brando and an attempted suicide.

32. First Motion Picture Dubbing: Before her acting career took off, Rita began dubbing English language films in Spanish at a young age.

33. Broadway Debut at 13: Her Broadway debut at age 13 was a significant milestone in her career.

34. MGM Contract at 18: Signed to MGM at age 18, Rita’s contract was a stepping stone to her future success in Hollywood.

35. Notable Films: Throughout her career, Rita has appeared in numerous notable films including "Singin’ in the Rain" (1952), "The King and I" (1956), and "The Night of the Following Day" (1968).

36. Theater Performances: From the 1960s to the present, Rita has starred in many theater productions in London, on Broadway, and in regional theater.

37. Television Work: Rita’s television work has been equally enduring. She earned Emmy Awards for her appearances on "The Muppet Show" and "The Rockford Files."

38. Grammy Award: In 1972, Rita won a Grammy Award for her performance on "The Electric Company Album."

39. Performances at White House: Rita has been invited to perform at the White House multiple times, including President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993.

40. Continued Performances: At 87 years old, Rita continues to perform in concerts across the country and has recently starred as Lydia on the Netflix series "One Day at a Time."

41. Induction into Great American Songbook Hall of Fame: In June 2013, Rita was inducted into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame.

42. Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award: On January 18, 2014, Rita was presented with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

43. Kennedy Center Honors: On December 6, 2015, Rita was honored with a Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime contributions to American culture.

44. PBS Documentary: In July 2019, PBS announced that a documentary titled "Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Decided to Go For It" would air as part of the PBS American Masters series in 2020.

45. All-Spanish Language Album: Rita released her first all-Spanish language album, “Una Vez Más,” produced by musician Emilio Estefan.

46. Rose Parade and National Puerto Rican Day Parade: Rita has served as a Grand Marshal of both the Rose Parade and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade.

47. Educational Contributions: Through her work on "The Electric Company," Rita made significant contributions to children’s education.

48. Cultural Impact: Rita’s impact on culture extends beyond her acting career. She has been a role model for many young Latina women.

49. Legacy and Recognition: Rita’s legacy is marked by numerous lifetime achievement awards and recognitions.

50. Current Projects: At the age of 92, Rita remains active in the entertainment industry, continuing to perform and inspire audiences with her remarkable talent and enduring legacy.

Rita Moreno's Lasting Legacy

Rita Moreno's journey from a young girl in Puerto Rico to an EGOT winner is nothing short of inspiring. Her groundbreaking roles, like Anita in "West Side Story," shattered barriers for Latina actresses. Despite facing typecasting and personal struggles, she persevered, earning accolades across film, television, theater, and music. Her work on "The Electric Company" and her Emmy-winning performances on "The Muppet Show" and "The Rockford Files" highlight her versatility. Beyond awards, her impact on culture and representation is profound. Even at 92, she continues to perform and inspire. Rita's story is a testament to resilience, talent, and the power of breaking boundaries. Her legacy will undoubtedly continue to influence and inspire future generations in the entertainment industry.