Chita Rivera, the legendary performer known for her remarkable contributions to both stage and screen, has died at the age of 91. The news was confirmed by her longtime publicist, Merle Frimark, who stated that Chita Rivera passed away peacefully on Tuesday in New York after a brief illness.
Chita Rivera, with a Broadway career spanning decades, earned a record 10 Tony Award nominations and won two for her roles in “The Rink” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” Her iconic performances included playing Anita in the original Broadway production of “West Side Story” in 1957 and starring in signature Bob Fosse musicals like “Chicago” and “All That Jazz.”
Born in Washington, DC in 1933, Rivera began her journey as a ballerina at the age of 9 and later received a scholarship to the School of American Ballet from choreographer George Balanchine. Her influence as a triple threat—actor, singer, and dancer—opened doors for Latinx artists in the entertainment industry.
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Chita Rivera appeared in movies and TV shows
Apart from her theatre achievements, Chita Rivera also appeared in movies and TV shows, including screen adaptations of “Sweet Charity” and “Chicago.” Her last screen credit was in Netflix’s 2021 film “Tick, Tick… Boom!”
Rivera’s honours included being a Kennedy Center honoree in 2002, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2009, and the 2018 Special Tony Award for lifetime achievement in the theatre.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, director of “Tick, Tick… Boom!,” praised Rivera as the trailblazer for Puerto Rico on Broadway and described her as magnificent. Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for playing Anita in the 1961 film adaptation of “West Side Story,” referred to Rivera as eternal and the essence of Broadway.
Catherine Zeta-Jones, who won an Oscar for her role in the film adaptation of “Chicago,” expressed the incredible impact Rivera had on her life, while Ariana DeBose, who won an Academy Award for portraying Anita in the 2021 remake of “West Side Story,” called Rivera “a force.”
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The Broadway community and beyond mourn the loss of Rivera, with Stephanie Pope, a Broadway actress and friend, describing her as a legend who set a standard of excellence that will never be matched.
Rivera is survived by her daughter, Lisa Mordente, and siblings Julio, Armando, and Lola del Rivero. The funeral will be private.
