Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Rita Moreno Biography

Birth Name:Rosita Dolores Alverio

Birth Place:Humacao, Puerto Rico

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

Is the first Puerto Rican to receive the coveted EGOT status, as she completed the superfecta in 1977
Received Kennedy Center Honor in 2015
Once served as spokesperson for the National Osteoporosis Foundation
Moved to New York City at a young age and enrolled in dance lessons with Spanish dancer Paco Cansino
Quote: "[on "Westside Story"] "I've been Anita, except I wasn't a gang member, of course, but I know this girl inside out․""
Quote: "I'm plucky․ I really am․ I would say that's a perfect description of my personality․ I am able to get up and dust myself off and keep moving forward․"
After debuting on Broadway at 13, she would go on to act in numerous films before landing the lead role in the 1961 film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical, West Side Story
Was so sure that Judy Garland would win an Oscar for her role in "Judgment at Nuremburg" that when she won the award for "Westside Story" instead, she had no speech prepared, and merely said "I don't believe it! Good lord․ I leave you with that!"

Awards

1962Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
1962Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1962Golden Laurel-Top Female Supporting Performance: winner
1977BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
1977Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music: winner
1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series: winner
1979Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
1982Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1983Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1983Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1995Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
1996Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
1997CableACE-Actress in a Dramatic Series: winner
1997Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
1998ALMA Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: winner
1998OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Cable Series: nominated
1999ALMA Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: winner
1999ALMA Award-Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film in a Crossover Role: nominated
1999Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Cable Series: nominated
1999Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Drama: nominated
2000ALMA Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2000Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2001ALMA Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Series: nominated
2002ALMA Award-Outstanding Actress in a Television Series: winner
2003Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2012Imagen Award-Best Actress/Television: nominated
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2017Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: nominated
2017IGN Award-Best Comedic TV Performance: nominated
2017Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actress - Television: nominated
2017INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2017OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018IGN Award-Best Comedic TV Performance: nominated
2018Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actress - Television: nominated
2018OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actress - Television: winner
2019OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2020Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2020Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actress - Television: nominated
2020OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2021Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2021Critics' Choice Documentary Award-Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary: winner
2021DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2021Imagen Award-Best Voice-Over Actor - Television: nominated
2021IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2021NTFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2021PCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2021SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2022Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2022Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actress: nominated
2022Cinema Eye Honors Award-The Unforgettables: winner
2022Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2022Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2022Imagen Award-Best Actress - Feature Film: nominated
2022LEJA Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2022ALFS Award-Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
2023Jury Creative-Best Actress: winner
2023Imagen Award-Best Actress - Comedy (Television): nominated
2024OFTA Film Hall of Fame-Character: winner
2025Imagen Award-Best Supporting Actress - Comedy: nominated