Rita Moreno, one of the select few performers to achieve EGOT status, was born Rosita Dolores Alverío on December 11, 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, to seamstress Rosa María (Marcano) and farmer Francisco José "Paco" Alverío. Raised in nearby Juncos, Rita began her professional career before reaching adolescence.
At nine years old, she performed as a professional dancer in New York nightclubs. By age 11, she landed her first movie experience, dubbing Spanish-language versions of US films. Less than a month before her 14th birthday, Rita made her Broadway debut in the play "Skydrift" at the Belasco Theatre, costarring with Arthur Keegan and a young Eli Wallach.
Rita Moreno's early career was marked by a mix of success and stereotyping. She was signed by MGM in 1950 but was dropped after just one year. She went on to appear in films like "Singin' in the Rain" (1952) and "The King and I" (1956),as well as TV shows like "Father Knows Best" (1954),where she was often typecast as a "sexpot" or "exotic" figure.
Director Robert Wise cast Rita as "Anita" in the film version of "West Side Story" (1961),a retelling of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" set in New York City's Upper West Side. However, despite her talent, Rita struggled to find roles that matched her abilities in the 1960s.
The 1970s brought a career renaissance for Rita Moreno, with standout performances in "Carnal Knowledge" (1971) and "The Electric Company" (1971). She won a 1972 Grammy Award for her contribution to "The Electric Company"'s soundtrack album and a Tony Award in 1975 for her role in "The Ritz". She also won Emmy Awards for "The Muppet Show" (1976) and "The Rockford Files" (1974).
Rita Moreno has continued to work steadily on screen and stage, earning the reputation as a national treasure. In 2004, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush, solidifying her status as a legendary performer.
