Puerto Rican icon Chita Rivera, an actress, singer, and dancer who originated the role of Anita in the original Broadway production of West Side Story in 1957 has passed away. She was 91.
The role that made Rivera famous went on to make two other actresses famous – Rita Moreno and Ariana Debose. Both won Oscars for their performances in two separate movie adaptations of the Broadway musical.
A statement released on Tuesday by her publicist, Merle Frimark, read: “It is with great sadness that Lisa Mordente, the daughter of Chita Rivera, announces the death of her beloved mother who died peacefully in New York after a brief illness.” No further explanation was given.
Rivera was also renowned for playing Velma Kelly in the original Broadway run of Chicago and the title character in Kiss of the Spider Woman. She got her start in 1952 in Call Me Madam and Guys and Dolls. Then came Can-Can and Mr. Wonderful in 1954 before the role that would become her most renowned, West Side Story, in 1957.
During her storied career, which spanned over six decades, she won two Tony Awards – for Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman – and was nominated ten times. She was also awarded a Lifetime Achievement in Theater Award by the Tony Awards in 2018.
In 2009 Rivera was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Barack Obama, the highest civilian honor in the U.S. She was also given a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre in 2018.
And, as proof of her enduring influence in the world of Broadway, the most important awards that recognize dance and choreographic excellence on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and film are now called the Chita Rivera Awards.