Early Life
Rita Moreno, born Rosa Dolores Alverío on December 11, 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico (and raised in nearby Juncos), grew up in a modest family. Her mother, Rosa María Marcano, was a seamstress, and her father, Francisco José “Paco” Alverío, was a farmer. When she was four, her parents separated, and her mother relocated with young Rosita (as she was nicknamed) to New York City in search of better opportunities. There, they lived in a Spanish-speaking neighborhood in Manhattan, where Moreno attended public schools and faced cultural challenges as a Puerto Rican immigrant.
Career Beginnings
Moreno’s passion for performance emerged early. At age six, she began taking dance lessons from a Spanish dancer related to Rita Hayworth. By 11, she was dubbing Spanish-language versions of American films. Her professional debut came at 13 in 1945, when she appeared on Broadway in *Skydrift* as Angelina, catching the eye of Hollywood scouts. Adopting the stage name Rita Moreno, she signed a seven-year contract with MGM in 1950, debuting in the film *So Young, So Bad*. Early roles often stereotyped her as an exotic Latina, which she later criticized, including in films like *The King and I* (1956).
Breakthrough and EGOT Achievements
Moreno’s career skyrocketed with her iconic role as Anita in the 1961 film *West Side Story*, a modern retelling of *Romeo and Juliet*. Her electrifying performance—showcasing her singing, dancing, and dramatic range—earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first Latina to win an Oscar. This triumph marked the start of her EGOT journey (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), a rare feat achieved by only a handful of performers.
*Oscar**: 1962 for *West Side Story*.
-Grammy**: 1973 for her album *The Electric Company*.
– Tony**: 1975 for *The Ritz* on Broadway.
– Emmys**: 1977 for *The Muppet Show* and 1978 for *The Rockford Files*.
She remains the only Hispanic performer to achieve EGOT status.
Later Career and Recent Work
Throughout the decades, Moreno has balanced film, television, theater, and voice work. Notable roles include Googie Gomez in *The Ritz* (1976 film adaptation), appearances on *Sesame Street* and *The Electric Company*, and voicing characters in *Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?* (1994–1999) and *Rio 2* (2014). She returned to *West Side Story* in 2021 as Valentina (a reimagined Doc) in Steven Spielberg’s remake, earning critical acclaim at age 89.
On television, she starred as Lydia Riera in the Netflix reboot of *One Day at a Time* (2017–2020) and as Iris in *Grey’s Anatomy* (2022). In 2024, she appeared in *The Substance* and continues voice work, including in the upcoming animated series *Nina’s World*. Moreno’s stage work includes revivals like *The Odd Couple* (1985–1986, all-female cast) and her one-woman show *Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup* (2011).
Personal Life
Moreno married cardiologist Dr. Leonard Gordon in 1965; they had one daughter, Fernanda (born 1967), who became a doctor. The marriage lasted until Gordon’s death in 2010, though they separated in the 1970s while remaining legally married. Moreno has been open about her struggles with depression, typecasting, and a long-term affair with Marlon Brando. She advocates for Latino representation in Hollywood and has served on the National Endowment for the Arts and the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
Awards and Honors
Beyond her EGOT, Moreno received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2004), Kennedy Center Honors (2015), and a Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award (2014). She earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995 and was the 50th recipient of the SAG Life Achievement Award in 2014. In recognition of her impact, the Rita Moreno Awards honor high school musical theater students in California.
Legacy and Publications
At 93 (as of 2025), Moreno is a trailblazer for Latina performers, breaking barriers in an industry that often marginalized her. Her memoir, *Rita Moreno: A Memoir* (2013), became a New York Times bestseller, detailing her resilience and triumphs. The 2021 documentary *Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It* chronicles her life, earning an Oscar nomination. Moreno’s versatility across seven decades inspires generations, embodying her ethos: deciding to “go for it” despite odds