Biography
Rita Moreno, born Rosa Dolores Alverío, December 11, 1931, is a Puerto Rican pioneering actress, dancer, and singer who has impacted the entertainment industry.
Originally from Humacao, Puerto Rico, Moreno moved to New York City as a child and began her performing arts career in the 1950s. She first gained acclaim for her role in “The King and I” (1956), where she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Tuptim. Moreno is one of the few artists to achieve EGOT status, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
Her role as Anita in “West Side Story” (1961) was particularly memorable, earning her another Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and highlighting her versatility and depth. She won a Tony Award on Broadway for her role in “Ritz Hotel” in 1975. Rita Moreno’s television career included notable roles and an Emmy for her guest appearances on “The Rockford Files” And “Ozone“ .
Moreno continued his prolific career in later years with roles in “Carmen Miranda: Bananas are my business” and TV series “Happy Divorce”, which she also produced. Praised for breaking barriers as a Hispanic woman in Hollywood, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004.
American actress and dancer
Rita Moreno |
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 Rita Moreno: History ‧ Biography ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Real name: | Rosa Dolores Alverio |
| Stage name: | Rita Moreno |
| Born: | December 11, 1931 (age 92) |
| Place of birth: | Humacao, Puerto Rico |
| Nationality: | American, Puerto Rican |
| Education: | Do not have |
| Height: | 1.57 minutes |
| Parents: | Paco Alverio, Rosa Maria |
| Siblings: | Dennis Moreno, Francisco Alverio |
| Couple: | Leonard Gordon (married 1965–2010) |
| Boyfriend • Partner: | Elvis Presley (1961), Dennis Hopper (1957), Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson (1970), Hugh O’Brian (1957), Robert Wagner (1956), Jeffrey Hunter (1955-1957), Richard Egan (1955-1957) , Marlon Brando (1954-1962), Kenneth Tynan, Dick Van Patten |
| The children: | Fernanda Luisa Gordon |
| Job: | Actor • Singer |
| Net worth: | $25 million (USD) |
Early life and education
Rita Moreno, born Rosa Dolores Alverío on December 11, 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, moved to New York City at the age of five, setting the stage for her remarkable performing arts career.
As a Puerto Rican actress in a predominantly white Hollywood, Moreno was one of the first successful Hispanic actresses. Although the details of her religious practices are not widely known, her background reflects Puerto Rico’s predominantly Catholic culture.
Her mother, Rosa María Haskín, is of Puerto Rican and Irish descent, while her father, Francisco José “Paco” Alverio, is of Puerto Rican and Spanish descent. After her parents separated when she was young, Moreno was raised primarily by her mother. She has a half-sister and has described her childhood as somewhat lonely due to her early entertainment career. Her siblings are Dennis Moreno and Francisco Alverio.
Rita Moreno’s formal education was interrupted by her career. She attended various schools in New York City but still needed to complete a traditional degree. Instead, her education came from hands-on experience and mentorship in the theater, film, and television industries.
Career
Rita Moreno’s career, spanning more than seven decades, marks her as one of the most enduring figures in the entertainment industry. She began her career as a child actress, dancer and singer in the 1950s, making her film debut at the age of 13 in “Too young, too bad” (1950). Her role as Tuptim in “The King and I(1956) earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, marking her initial acclaim.
Her role as Anita in “West Side Story” (1961) was perhaps her most iconic role, earning her a second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and cementing her place as a leading actress in Hollywood. Moreno also found success on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for her role in “Ritz Hotel” (1975), and has demonstrated his versatility in numerous musicals and plays.
Rita Moreno made the transition to television smoothly, winning an Emmy for her guest role on “Rockford Profile” (1977) and “Ozone” (2000), making her one of the few entertainers to win an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) award. In the years that followed, she continued to act in films, television shows, and stage productions, including “Happy Divorce,” which she also produced, and “Carmen Miranda: Bananas are my business” (1995). Her contributions were honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, along with numerous other awards.
Moreno completed his EGOT title with a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for “Rita Moreno: Life without makeup” in 2019. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for diversity and representation in the entertainment industry, challenging stereotypes and advocating for more roles for Hispanic actors, paving the way for future generations.
Social media
- Twitter: Rita Moreno (@TheRitaMoreno)
- Instagram: Rita Moreno (@theritamoreno)
- Facebook: Rita Moreno
Personal life
Rita Moreno was married to Leonard Gordon, whom she met in the mid-1960s. They married in 1965 and were together until Gordon’s death in 2010, marking more than 45 years of marriage. Moreno described Gordon as a “controller,” hinting at a complicated dynamic in their relationship, but also speaking of him as a “wonderful person” This is her only known marriage.
From her marriage to Gordon, Moreno has a daughter, Fernanda Luisa Gordon, born in 1967. Fernanda has given birth to two grandsons, Cameron Fisher and Justin Fisher, making her a grandmother. Moreno is 1.57 m tall, and she is often noted for her petite figure.
Prior to her marriage, Moreno had high-profile relationships that attracted considerable attention. She dated Marlon Brando for nearly eight years, a relationship characterized by intense passion and drama. She also had a brief affair with Elvis Presley while she was with Brando after she discovered his infidelity. These relationships, especially with Brando, were tumultuous, with Moreno even attempting suicide during their time together, reflecting the emotional strain of these relationships.
Rita Moreno has had romantic relationships with a number of celebrities, including Jack Nicholson (1970), Hugh O’Brian (1957), Robert Wagner (1956), Jeffrey Hunter (1955–1957), Richard Egan (1955–1957), Marlon Brando (1954–1962), Kenneth Tynan and Dick Van Patten.
She also met Elvis Presley (1961), Dennis Hopper (1957) and Morgan Freeman.
Net worth
Rita Moreno’s net worth is estimated at $25 million, reflecting her prolific career in film, television, theater, and music spanning over seven decades.
Her wealth is largely due to her iconic roles, such as Anita in West Side Storyfor which she won an Academy Award. She has also received numerous awards, including an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony. Moreno is one of the few entertainers to achieve EGOT status.
