Chita Rivera: Broadway' West Side Story' Star Dies at 91

Chita Rivera, the legendary Broadway figure celebrated for her portrayal of Anita in the original 1957 Broadway production of "West Side Story," has died at the age of 91.

Rivera passed away in New York on Tuesday after a brief illness, as confirmed by her daughter to CBS News.

A trailblazer for aspiring Latina performers, Rivera garnered 10 Tony nominations and secured victory twice.

She received a special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre in 2018, marking a testament to her enduring impact on the Broadway stage.

Chita Rivera's Early Life and Formative Years

Born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero on January 23, 1933, in Washington, DC, Rivera's journey into the world of performance art commenced with dance classes and later admission to the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York, according to CBC.

Her initial foray into theatre occurred at the age of 17 when she joined the touring company "Call Me Madam," eventually landing roles in notable productions such as "Guys and Dolls" and "Can-Can."

Rivera's 2023 memoir, "Chita: A Memoir," unveiled a nuanced perspective of her life, highlighting her alter ego, Dolores.

Unapologetic and fiery, Dolores served as a motivational force during moments of self-doubt.

Rivera, in an interview with the AP, emphasized the dual nature of her persona, consisting of both Dolores and Conchita, underscoring Dolores as the driving force behind her illustrious career.

Among her early New York stage appearances were roles in "The Shoestring Revue" in 1955, a musical version of Seventh Heaven in 1955 starring Ricardo Montalban, and "Mr. Wonderful," a 1956 show starring Sammy Davis Jr.

"I can't believe that I've been given the gift to look back and relive my life," she shared shortly before The Dancer's Life opened on Broadway in late 2005. "It's about how anybody can do it - if you really believe it, you have the good fortune, you do all the right things, and you really work hard."

Despite maintaining a hectic stage schedule, Rivera's talent extended to the silver screen.

She graced numerous movies and TV shows, including screen adaptations of "Sweet Charity" and "Chicago," along with a notable appearance in "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

Her most recent screen credit was in Netflix's 2021 movie "Tick, Tick... Boom!," where she appeared in a sequence alongside other stage musical luminaries.

Tributes Pour In Following Chita Rivera's Death

Rita Moreno, who won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for playing Anita in the 1961 film adaptation of "West Side Story," expressed in a statement to CNN that Rivera was "eternal" and "the essence of Broadway."

Catherine Zeta-Jones, an Oscar winner for her role in the film adaptation of "Chicago," where she portrayed a character originated by Rivera on Broadway, acknowledged the "incredible impact" Rivera had on her life and paid tribute to her as a "queen."

Ariana DeBose, who clinched the Academy Award for portraying Anita in Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake of "West Side Story," called Rivera "a force" in her Instagram tribute on Tuesday.

Stephanie Pope, a Broadway actress and friend of Rivera, told CNN that the late star "is and always will be a legend... She achieved a standard of excellence that we all aspired to but will never match."

Rivera's daughter, Lisa Mordente, shared details about surviving siblings and the intention to hold a private funeral with a memorial service to be announced later, according to Fox News.

Donations in Chita Rivera's memory were suggested to be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Chita Rivera, Original 'West Side Story' Star, Dies at 91 - From Inside Edition