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Rivera was best known for starring in “West Side Story” and “Chicago.”
Chita Rivera, Broadway legend and pioneering Latina actress, has passed away. She was 91 years old.
Lisa Mordente, daughter of Chita Rivera, said her mother died peacefully Tuesday in New York City after a brief illness.
Born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero in Washington, DC, on January 23, 1933, Rivera was a trained dancer from a young age and studied at the School of American Ballet before heading to Broadway.
Rivera was a triple threat, racking up 10 Tony nominations in total and winning twice, first for “The Rink” in 1984 and then for “Kiss of the Spider Woman” in 1993.
Other shows she was nominated for throughout her career included “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Chicago,” “Bring Back Birdie,” “Merlin,” “Jerry’s Girls,” “Nine,” “Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life ” and “The Visit.”
In 2018, Rivera also received a Tony for her lifetime achievement in theater, which included the original roles of Anita in “West Side Story,” Rose Alvarez in “Bye Bye Birdie” and Velma Kelly in “Chicago.”
On the big screen, he starred opposite Shirley MacLaine in 1969’s “Sweet Charity” and made a cameo in the 2002 film adaptation of “Chicago,” which won best picture at the Academy Awards. She most recently appeared in the 2021 film “Tick, Tick…Boom!” about “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson.
His television credits included several appearances on “The New Dick Van Dyke Show” with his “Bye Bye Birdie” co-star, Dick Van Dyke.
Rivera received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2002 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama in 2009.
She was once married to Tony Mordente, whom she met during “West Side Story.” They were married from 1957 to 1966 and had one child together, Lisa.
In 2021, Rivera offered advice to younger generations during an interview with “20/20,” saying, “Be yourself, work hard and… think you can do everything and anything until you find out you can’t.”
Following the news of his passing, Hollywood and Broadway stars remembered Rivera, including Rita Moreno and Ariana DeBose.
“Chita Rivera is eternal,” said Moreno on Instagram mail. “I remember seeing her for the first time in Mr. Wonderful and exclaiming, ‘My God, who is that?’ When I discovered that this amazing creature was one of my people, I boasted with pride.”
“She was the essence of Broadway,” he added. “As I write this, I raise a glass to this extraordinary woman and friend. Cheers, friends, Cheers!”
In an Instagram post he shared, DeBose called Rivera “a force.”
“To be in his presence was to behold greatness,” DeBose said. “I always had the feeling that she had high expectations, but none higher than those she fulfilled herself… I am heartbroken and yet always inspired as she showed so many of us what was possible. Rest well Queen. 💜 #ChitaRivera “