Rita Moreno Biography: Age, Movies, Husband, Net Worth, Children, Family, TV Shows

Biography

Rita Moreno, born Rosa Dolores Alverío on December 11, 1931, is a trailblazing Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer who has impacted the entertainment industry.

Originally from Humacao, Puerto Rico, Moreno moved to New York City at a young age and began her performing arts career in the 1950s. She first gained acclaim for her role in “The King and I” (1956), where she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress as Tuptim. Moreno is one of the few artists to achieve EGOT status, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.

Her role as Anita in “West Side Story” (1961) is particularly memorable, earning her another Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and highlighting her versatility and depth. She earned a Tony Award on Broadway for her performance in “The Ritz” in 1975. Rita Moreno‘s television career includes notable roles and an Emmy win for her guest appearances on “The Rockford Files” and “Oz.”

Moreno continued her prolific career into her later years with roles in “Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business” and the TV series “Happily Divorced,” which she also produced. Celebrated for breaking barriers as a Hispanic woman in Hollywood, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004.

Rita Moreno
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Rosa Dolores Alverío
Stage Name:	Rita Moreno
Born:	11 December 1931 (age 92 years old)
Place of Birth:	Humacao, Puerto Rico
Nationality:	American, Puerto Rican
Education:	N/A
Height:	1.57 m
Parents:	Paco Alverío, Rosa María
Siblings:	Dennis Moreno, Francisco Alverio
Spouse:	Leonard Gordon (m. 1965–2010)
Boyfriend • Partner:	Elvis Presley (1961), Dennis Hopper (1957), Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson (1970), Hugh O’Brian (1957), Robert Wagner (1956), Jeffrey Hunter (1955-1957), Richard Egan (1955-1957), Marlon Brando (1954-1962), Kenneth Tynan, Dick Van Patten
Children:	Fernanda Luisa Gordon
Occupation:	Actress • Singer
Net Worth:	$25 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Rita Moreno, born Rosa Dolores Alverío on December 11, 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, moved to New York City at the age of five, setting the stage for her remarkable career in the performing arts.

As a Puerto Rican actress in a predominantly white Hollywood, Moreno was among the first Hispanic actresses to succeed. While details of her religious practices are not widely known, her background reflects Puerto Rico’s predominantly Catholic culture.

Her mother, Rosa María Haskín, was of Puerto Rican and Irish descent, while her father, Francisco José “Paco” Alverío, was of Puerto Rican and Spanish heritage. After her parents separated when she was young, Moreno was primarily raised by her mother. She has a half-sister from her mother’s side and has described her childhood as somewhat solitary due to her early entertainment career. Her siblings are Dennis Moreno and Francisco Alverio.

Rita Moreno‘s formal education was disrupted by her career. She attended various schools in New York City but still needs to complete traditional schooling. Instead, her education came through hands-on experience and the guidance of mentors in theater, film, and television.

Career

Rita Moreno‘s career, spanning over seven decades, marks her as one of the most enduring figures in entertainment. She began as a child actress, dancer, and singer in the 1950s, making her film debut at 13 in “So Young, So Bad” (1950). Her role as Tuptim in “The King and I” (1956) earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, marking her initial acclaim.

Her portrayal of Anita in “West Side Story” (1961) is perhaps her most iconic role, earning her a second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and solidifying her place as a leading actress in Hollywood. Moreno also achieved Broadway success, winning a Tony Award for her role in “The Ritz” (1975), and has showcased her versatility in a range of musicals and plays.

Rita Moreno seamlessly transitioned to television, winning Emmys for her guest roles on “The Rockford Files” (1977) and “Oz” (2000), making her one of the few entertainers to earn an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). In her later years, she continued acting in films, TV shows, and stage productions, including “Happily Divorced,” which she also produced, and “Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business” (1995). Her contributions were honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, among other accolades.

Moreno completed her EGOT status with a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for “Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup” in 2019. Throughout her career, she has been a vocal advocate for diversity and representation in entertainment, challenging typecasting and advocating for more roles for Hispanic actors, paving the way for future generations.

Social Media

• Twitter: Rita Moreno (@TheRitaMoreno)
• Instagram: Rita Moreno (@theritamoreno)
• Facebook: Rita Moreno

Personal Life

Rita Moreno was married to Leonard Gordon, whom she met in the mid-1960s. They married in 1965 and remained together until Gordon‘s death in 2010, marking over 45 years of marriage. Moreno described Gordon as a “controller,” suggesting a complex dynamic in their relationship, but also spoke of him as a “wonderful person.” This was her only known marriage.

From her marriage to Gordon, Moreno has a daughter, Fernanda Luisa Gordon, born in 1967. Fernanda has given Moreno two grandsons, Cameron Fisher and Justin Fisher, making her a grandmother. Moreno‘s height is 1.57 m, and she is often noted for her petite stature.

Before her marriage, Moreno had high-profile relationships that drew considerable attention. She dated Marlon Brando for nearly eight years, a relationship characterized by intense passion and drama. Additionally, she had a brief romance with Elvis Presley during her time with Brando following her discovery of Brando’s infidelity. These relationships, particularly with Brando, were tumultuous, with Moreno even attempting suicide during their time together, reflecting the emotional strain of these romances.

Rita Moreno has been romantically linked to several notable figures, including Jack Nicholson (1970), Hugh O’Brian (1957), Robert Wagner (1956), Jeffrey Hunter (1955–1957), Richard Egan (1955–1957), Marlon Brando (1954–1962), Kenneth Tynan, and Dick Van Patten.

She has also had encounters with Elvis Presley (1961), Dennis Hopper (1957), and Morgan Freeman.

Net Worth

Rita Moreno‘s net worth is estimated at approximately $25 million, reflecting her extensive career across film, television, theater, and music spanning over seven decades.

Her wealth is largely attributed to her iconic roles, such as Anita in West Side Story, for which she won an Academy Award. She has also received numerous accolades, including an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony. Moreno is one of the few entertainers to achieve EGOT status.