Puerto Rican Star Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno is a living Puerto Rican legend who is not only admired by her fellow countrymen but the world over. She made a great impact on the entertainment industry and is respected by her fans and peers as she is the only dancer, actress and singer of Hispanic origin to have been awarded an Oscar Award, a Tony Award, an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award, and became the second performer from Puerto Rico to be honored with an Academy Award. Riota Moreno’s achievements are remarkable, and she still graces the screens for guest appearances today.

Born in Humacao as Rosita Dolores Alverio on 11 December 1931, Rita Moreno stayed in Puerto Rico until the age of five. She moved to the United States, more specifically New York, with her mother. She was fortunate enough to start dancing lessons with Paco Cansino soon after her arrival. At the age of thirteen she was on Broadway, where talent scouts spotted her and the door to Hollywood was opened for her.

Moreno started off with small appearances in productions such as Singin’ in the Rain and The Toast of New Orleans, and landed a supporting role in The King and I in 1956. But it was her role in film version of West Side Story, as Anita, released in 1962, that catapulted Moreno into stardom. Her appearance on the Muppet Show won her an Emmy in 1977, as well as her The Rockford Files guest appearance in 1978.

Other awards that came her way during her career included the Golden Apple Award, the Joseph Jefferson Award, the Sarah Siddons Award, Golden Globe Award and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1995. In 2001, George W. Bush awarded her the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom. More recently, Rita Moreno has appeared as a psychologist and nun in the hit series Oz, and has been seen as a guest in other television programs such as Cane and Law and Order: Criminal Intent.

In 2010, Moreno lost her husband. She is the proud mother of a daughter, Fernanda, and has two grand children. Rita Moreno captured the hearts and minds of audiences and continues to entertain and inspire many.