Biography
Chita Rivera was an American actress, singer, and dancer who became a musical theater icon. Born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero, she won two Tony Awards for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her roles in The Rink (1984) and Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993). Rivera achieved stardom for her performance as Anita in the original Broadway production of West Side Story, a role she reprised in London.
Awards & recognition
- John Willis Award — Lifetime Achievement · 2015
- Presidential Medal of Freedom · 2009
- Tony Award — Best Actress in a Musical · 1993
- Tony Award — Best Actress in a Musical · 1984
- Drama Desk Award — Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Show all 13 awards →
- Drama League Award
- Kennedy Center Honors
- Tony Award — Best Actress in a Musical · 2015 · nominated
- Tony Award — Best Actress in a Musical · 2006 · nominated
- Tony Award — Best Actress in a Musical · 1986 · nominated
- Tony Award — Best Actress in a Musical · 1983 · nominated
- Tony Award — Best Actress in a Musical · 1981 · nominated
- Tony Award — Best Actress in a Musical · 1976 · nominated
Filmography27 titles
Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration
Bottomless Brunch at Colman's
Bathtubs Over Broadway
Studio One Forever
The Outer Limits
Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story
The Carol Burnett Show
tick, tick... BOOM!
Something's Coming: West Side Story
Pippin
Merely Marvelous: The Dancing Genius of Gwen Verdon
The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story
Chicago
Will & Grace
That's Dancing!
Sweet Charity
The Ed Sullivan Show
Every Act of Life
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Great Performances
Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance
The New Dick Van Dyke Show
Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back
Mayflower Madam
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting
Amy's Victory Dance