Rita Moreno and George Chakiris Celebrate Longevity and Friendship

Rita Moreno and George Chakiris, stars of the 1961 classic movie musical West Side Story, reunited at a special event titled “A Conversation with Rita Moreno” on November 5. The event took place at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California. It was hosted by Mo Rocca from CBS Sunday Morning.

Moreno, who will be 95 in December, was joined by her daughter Fernanda Luisa Gordon and posed for exclusive photos with Chakiris and Rocca. The photos capture the ongoing friendship between Moreno and Chakiris, who both starred in a film adaptation inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, the movie adapted the Broadway musical from 1957, created by Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents.

In West Side Story, Moreno took on the role of Anita, and Chakiris played Bernardo. Their performances earned both of them Oscars at the 1962 Academy Awards, with Moreno winning Best Supporting Actress and Chakiris Best Supporting Actor. That year, the film claimed 10 victories from its 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

Moreno appeared in the 2021 remake of West Side Story by Steven Spielberg, featuring a new take on her role alongside Oscar winner Ariana DeBose as Anita.

During the celebration on November 5, the audience sang “Happy Birthday” to Moreno and presented her with a cake on stage in anticipation of her upcoming birthday on December 11. Reflecting on turning 95, Moreno humorously remarked, “Geez, I can’t believe this. Really? I’m an old lady. But here I am.” She mentioned planning to host a dinner party with close friends to mark the occasion.