Chita Rivera
Chita Rivera (1933–2024) is universally regarded as an American national treasure. Rivera was one of Broadway’s most accomplished and versatile dancers, actresses, and singers. A recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor, presented by the President of the United States, Rivera won two Tony Awards as Best Leading Actress in a Musical, received six additional Tony Award nominations, and won the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018.
Broadway history was made when Rivera’s electric performance as Anita in the Broadway premiere of West Side Story brought her stardom. The starring role in Bye Bye Birdie followed, and Rivera returned to the West End in 1960 to reprise her performance in that role. Among her many other celebrated stage credits are Chicago, The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Nine, and Zorba. Rivera also played Nicky in the film version of Sweet Charity with Shirley MacLaine. Despite the many highlights of her stellar and historic career, Rivera always maintained that her most treasured production was her daughter, Lisa Mordente.
Recent Kennedy Center history: was the first Latina to receive a Kennedy Center Honor in 2002. The musical theater icon is remembered for her roles in West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, and Chicago.