New York, New York – Rita Moreno, an award-winning actress, singer, and dancer, has made a remarkable journey from her birthplace in Humacao, Puerto Rico, to becoming a Hollywood icon. Raised in New York City after moving from Puerto Rico with her mother, Moreno’s life has been marked by groundbreaking achievements in the entertainment industry.
According to TourismAfrica2006, Moreno’s birth name is Rosita Dolores Alverio. She was born to Paco Alverio, a farmer, and Rosa Maria Alverio, a garment worker. After her parents divorced, Moreno moved to New York with her mother, who later married Edward Moreno. She started speaking English when she entered elementary school and embarked on a path that would lead her to become the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award.
Moreno’s illustrious career began with her Broadway debut in “Skydrift” in 1945. Her film debut followed in 1950 with “So Young So Bad.” Her breakthrough role came in 1961 with “West Side Story,” for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This win was a milestone, not just for Moreno, but also for the Latino community in Hollywood.
Throughout her career, Moreno has received numerous awards, including six Emmy nominations with two wins, a Grammy, and a Tony, making her one of the elite EGOT winners. She also won a Grammy Award in 1972 for “The Electric Company” and a Tony Award in 1975 for “The Ritz.”
Moreno’s achievements extend beyond her acting career. She was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 from President George W. Bush. In 2010, President Barack Obama presented her with the National Arts Medal.
In 2011, Moreno toured the country with her one-woman show “Life without Makeup.” Her autobiography, “Rita Moreno: A Memoir,” was published in 2013, further solidifying her status as an influential figure in the arts. She was inducted into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame in 2013 and received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2014. In 2015, Moreno was a Kennedy Center Honors recipient.
Moreno’s career continues to thrive. In 2018, she joined the cast of Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story,” the film that brought her immense fame. In 2019, PBS announced a documentary about her life, “Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Decided to Go For It,” as part of its American Masters series. The documentary premiered in theaters in June 2021.
Rita Moreno’s journey from Puerto Rico to the pinnacle of Hollywood success is a testament to her talent, resilience, and pioneering spirit in the entertainment industry.