Member-only story

The Fountain of Life: A Journey with Rita Moreno

Jeremy Mitchell

·8.5k Followers· Follow

Published in The Fountain Of Life Rita Moreno

6 min read

992 View Claps

84 Respond

Save

Listen

The Fountain of Life

by Rita Moreno

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1188 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	123 pages

Rita Moreno is a living legend. She is one of the few performers to have won all four major American entertainment awards: the Oscar, the Emmy, the Grammy, and the Tony. She has starred in some of the most iconic films and television shows of all time, including West Side Story, The King and I, and One Day at a Time.

Moreno's life is a rags-to-riches story that is full of inspiration and heartbreak. She was born in Puerto Rico in 1931, and her family moved to New York City when she was five years old. Moreno grew up in poverty, and she often had to work to help support her family. Despite her difficult circumstances, Moreno always had a dream of becoming an actress.

Moreno's big break came in 1956 when she was cast in the Broadway musical West Side Story. The show was a huge success, and Moreno's performance as Anita won her a Tony Award. Moreno went on to star in the film adaptation of West Side Story in 1961, and she won an Oscar for her performance.

After West Side Story, Moreno continued to star in a wide variety of films and television shows. She played Tuptim in The King and I (1956),Maria in The Ritz (1976),and Sister Pete in One Day at a Time (1975-1984). Moreno has also won two Emmy Awards for her work on television.

In addition to her acting career, Moreno is also a successful singer and dancer. She has released several albums, and she has performed on Broadway and in Las Vegas. Moreno is also a vocal advocate for the rights of Latinos and women.

Rita Moreno is a true icon. She is a talented performer who has achieved great success in her career. She is also a role model for Latinos and women everywhere. Moreno's life is a testament to the power of dreams and the importance of never giving up.

Early Life

Rita Moreno was born Rosa Dolores Alverío in Humacao, Puerto Rico, on December 11, 1931. Her parents, Francisco José Alverío and Rosa María Marcano, were both farm laborers. Moreno's father left the family when she was a young child, and her mother moved with her daughter to New York City in 1936.

Moreno grew up in poverty in the Spanish Harlem neighborhood of New York City. She attended public schools and began taking dance lessons at the age of six. Moreno also sang in the church choir. At the age of 11, she was discovered by a talent scout and began appearing in local theater productions.

Career

Moreno made her Broadway debut in 1945 in the musical Skydrift. She went on to appear in a number of other Broadway shows, including The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window (1964),Gantry (1970),and The Ritz (1976).

Moreno's film career began in 1950 with a small role in the film The Toast of New Orleans. She went on to star in a number of other films, including Singin' in the Rain (1952),The King and I (1956),and West Side Story (1961).

Moreno's television career began in the 1950s with guest appearances on a number of shows. She went on to star in her own sitcom, The Rita Moreno Show, in 1967. Moreno also had a recurring role on the popular sitcom The Odd Couple from 1970 to 1975.

In the 1980s, Moreno starred in the sitcom One Day at a Time. The show was a critical and commercial success, and Moreno won two Emmy Awards for her performance. Moreno continued to appear in films and television shows throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

Personal Life

Moreno married Leonard Gordon in 1965. The couple had one daughter, Fernanda Luisa Gordon. Moreno and Gordon divorced in 1971.

Moreno has been involved in a number of philanthropic activities throughout her career. She is a founding member of the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) and the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA). Moreno has also served on the boards of the American Film Institute and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Legacy

Rita Moreno is a true icon. She is one of the few performers to have won all four major American entertainment awards: the Oscar, the Emmy, the Grammy, and the Tony. She has starred in some of the most iconic films and television shows of all time. Moreno is also a role model for Latinos and women everywhere. Her life is a testament to the power of dreams and the importance of never giving up.

Image Descriptions

* **Image 1:** Rita Moreno in her iconic role as Anita in West Side Story. * **Image 2:** Moreno with her daughter, Fernanda Luisa Gordon, in 1965. * **Image 3:** Moreno receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995. * **Image 4:** Moreno accepting her Kennedy Center Honor in 2015.

The Fountain of Life

by Rita Moreno

4.4 out of 5