Puerto Rican actress Rita Moreno is one of the few performers who hold the distinction of having won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony and a Grammy. Born on December 11, 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico, she moved with her mother to New York City at age 5. She began by providing her voice to Spanish redubs of American films, and later got her first Broadway role through the play Skydrift. She caught the attention of Hollywood agents, who gave her several small film roles, notably a silent screen vamp in Singin’ in the Rain. She did not like most of the work she received during the time, either.
Moreno gained critical acclaim for her work in West Side Story, the film adaptation of the groundbreaking Broadway musical. Her portrayal of Anita, the friend of siblings Maria (Natalie Wood) and Bernardo (George Chakiris), earned her an Oscar for best supporting actress. She won the first of two Emmys in 1977, for her work in the variety program The Muppet Show. Her second Emmy, coming a year later, was for her guest role in the detective series The Rockford Files.
Her work in the children’s series The Electric Company is also notable. She is known Millie the Helper, an eager trainee who tries out various professions. Her character’s catchphrase, “Hey, you guys!” was later used to mark the introduction of each show. She won a Grammy for her work on the show’s spin-off album. In 1975, her portrayal of third-rate performer Googie Gomez earned her a Drama Desk Award nomination, and a Tony Award for best feature actress.
Despite her early haul of acclaim, Moreno continued work in all fields of performance. She provided the voice of bandit Carmen Sandiego in the edutainment series Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? She introduced herself to a new generation of audiences with her portrayal of psychologist nun Sister Pete in the acclaimed prison drama Oz. She most recently starred in the drama series Cane, as the family matriarch Amalia Duque. In honor of her many accomplishments, she was awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Rita Moreno is a multiple award-winning actress, dancer and singer who was born on December 11, 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. She holds the distinction of being one of the very few people in the world who have won an Emmy Award, a Grammy, an Oscar, and even a Tony Award. Her original birth name was Rosita Dolores Alverio, and she moved with her mother to New York City when she was five years old. Some of Moreno’s earliest efforts were in Spanish-language versions of American movies. She has acted in films such as Singin’ in the Rain, The King and I, and The Night of the Following Day. Moreno has also worked on a number of television programs, among them The Electric Company, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?, and The Muppet Show.
Sister Peter Marie Reimondo is portrayed by Rita Moreno in the HBO prison drama television series Oz. She is a nun who also works as a qualified drug counselor and a psychiatrist. Sister Pete, as she is known, staunchly opposes the death penalty and is a supporter of liberal prison staff member Tim McManus’ rehabilitative policies. She did the best that she could to help the inmates become better people, in spite of their own often intractable nature.
(Photo courtesy of HBO)