Around the age of 6, Moreno began taking Spanish dance lessons from Paco Cansino, the teacher and uncle of Rita Hayworth. At the age of 9, Moreno had her first performance dancing at a nightclub in Greenwich Village. Throughout her early teens, she would perform at clubs around New York, often going by herself.

What did Rita Moreno dance in?

For many moviegoers, their first exposure to Rita Moreno was watching her dance in West Side Story, The King and I, or on The Electric Company.

What are five fun facts about Rita Moreno?

What are some characteristics of Rita Moreno?

Moreno's integrity, courage, and steadfast belief in herself are all traits that can be applied in our personal and professional lives. Read on for five great lessons she has imparted over the years.

What does Rita Moreno like to do for fun?

“I have many hobbies that help me unwind,” Rita divulges. “I take enormous joy in feeding the little birds in my area. I have a big, beautiful patio with bird feeders everywhere. I love, love hearing music, so I play music in my house all day long, and I'm also a news junkie.

Rita Moreno on West Side Story, Donald Trump & Playing a Sexual Grandma

What is the most interesting fact about Rita Moreno?

Rita Moreno's extensive career in music, film and dance ranges from her Academy-Award winning performance as Anita in the 1962 motion picture "West Side Story" to her two Emmy Award-winning performances on "The Muppet Show." She is the only female performer to win all four of the entertainment industry's most ...

What does Rita Moreno like to eat?

Her go-to dish is rice and beans with sweet plantains.

What is a famous quote from Rita Moreno?

Bigger than life is not difficult for me. I am bigger than life.

What color is Rita Moreno hair?

Now: Rita Moreno

At 88, Moreno is full gray and stuns.

Why did Rita Moreno change her name?

But in what would be her first clear experience of how little power she had in that era, the teenager known as Rosa Dolores Alverio was forced to change her name. "They didn't know what to do with me because of my name," she says. "I didn't like the name Rita but they chose it because I liked the actress Rita Hayworth.

What are some fun facts about Rita Moreno for kids?

From 1971 to 1977, Rita starred in a children's television series called The Electric Company. In 1972, she was given a Grammy Award for the show's soundtrack. In 1975, a few years after winning her Grammy, she starred in the Broadway production of The Ritz as Googie Gomez.

What are some interesting facts about Rita Moreno for kids?

She performed in films, television shows, and plays. Moreno was the third person and the first Hispanic performer to win all four major North American entertainment awards. This feat is called an EGOT, with each letter standing for an award: Emmy (for television), Grammy (music), Oscar (film), and Tony (theater).

How old was Rita Moreno when she came to America?

Rita Moreno came to the United States from Puerto Rico in 1936, when she was not quite 5 years old, knowing not a word of English.

Did Rita Moreno do her own singing?

Although Moreno only did some of her own singing decades ago, she now gets to perform one of West Side Story's most iconic songs, “Somewhere”. Indeed, with these talented and groundbreaking stars, it is no wonder that West Side Story has become one of the most critically acclaimed films of the decade.

Why is Rita Moreno an inspiration?

And yet, in the face of Hollywood's prejudices, Rita persevered. And, by doing so, inspired a generation of Latinas and other young women of color who believed they, too, could follow their dreams, thanks to the barriers she shattered and the doors she snap-kicked–twirled her way through.

Was Rita Moreno Hispanic?

Rita Moreno (born Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano; December 11, 1931) is a Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer.

What moisturizer does Rita Moreno use?

Radiance Secret: A Magical Moisturizer

“The only thing I use on my skin is Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer, which has sunscreen in it,” Moreno says (Buy on Amazon, $49.98). “For my body, I use Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion for very dry, flaky skin. It works and is so affordable” (Buy on Amazon, $11.77).

Did Rita Moreno wear dark makeup in West Side Story?

In the original “West Side Story,” many of the actors playing Puerto Rican characters were forced to wear the same dark brown makeup – even Rita Moreno, who is Puerto Rican and played the character of Anita.

What did Rita Moreno say about her husband?

"My husband was a terrific man, just not a good husband. He was a controller." Moreno added that she would never have shared these feelings publicly while Gordon was alive — much less in a documentary. "I would never have talked about him without his permission.

Does Rita Moreno have naturally curly hair?

I have very naturally curly hair.

Does Rita Moreno have curly hair?

Rita Moreno is embracing her natural curls and her natural color.