Let me tell you about Rita Moreno, one of the most iconic figures in Hollywood history. Back in 1961, she took on the role of Anita in the legendary musical West Side Story. That performance earned her an Academy Award and set the stage for a remarkable career in entertainment. Rita's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and today, she's recognized as a trailblazer with an impressive net worth to match her legendary status.
Rita Moreno's net worth is estimated at a cool $28 million, according to Wealthy Persons. Born in Puerto Rico in 1931, Rita's story is one of grit and determination. When she moved to New York with her mother, she began taking dance lessons that would eventually shape her future. At just 13 years old, she landed her first Broadway role in Skydrift. Her talent didn't stop there. She made her way to Hollywood, where she would become a household name with her unforgettable performance in West Side Story.
A Career Shaped by Role Models
In a candid interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in June 2021, Rita opened up about the challenges she faced early in her career. "I come from an era where there were no role models, none," she shared. "It took me forever to find someone that I could model myself on, and it turned out to be Anita." That character not only inspired Rita but also became a pivotal moment in her career, propelling her to new heights in Hollywood.
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A Career Full of Milestones
Rita's career is filled with unforgettable moments. In 1969, she starred alongside the legendary Marlon Brando in The Night of the Following Day, and their on-and-off relationship lasted for eight years. From 1971 to 1977, she became a beloved figure to children everywhere through her work on The Electric Company, earning a Grammy for the show's album. In between, she returned to Broadway to star in The Ritz, where she won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in 1975. Her talent knew no bounds.
Rita's versatility didn't stop there. In 1977, she won a Primetime Emmy Award for her work on The Muppet Show, making her one of the rare EGOT winners—individuals who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Her resume includes memorable roles in 9 to 5, Oz, One Day at a Time, and Happily Divorced. She also lent her voice to the animated series Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? from 1994 to 1999. All these milestones were beautifully captured in her 2021 Netflix documentary, Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided to Go For It.
Returning to West Side Story
In 2018, Steven Spielberg began casting a new adaptation of West Side Story, and Rita was thrilled to rejoin the world she helped create 60 years earlier. She took on the role of Valentina and served as an executive producer for the film. Despite delays due to the pandemic, the film was finally released in December 2021. Rita spoke about the emotional experience of working on the film again. "It was emotional meeting the new Anita, Ariana DeBose, who is absolutely marvelous in the movie," she told Thirteen in September 2021. "Watching these talented young dancers perform Justin Peck's stunning choreography was incredible. I adored ‘the kids,’ as I call them. They’d gather around me at lunch and ask questions, and I loved every moment of it. It was truly uplifting."
