Rita Moreno: A Boricua Trailblazer in Hollywood

When we think of figures who marked a turning point in Latina representation, Boricua icon Rita Moreno is undoubtedly one of the first names that comes to mind. One of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, she is best known for her role as Anita in the 1961 film West Side Story—but that is only one chapter of her journey as a trailblazer in the industry. Moreno has made a profound impact on Latina representation with a career spanning more than 70 years. From her early appearances in films like Singin’ in the Rain to becoming the first Latina to earn EGOT status (an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony), we are celebrating the icon by looking back at her illustrious career and the ways she has paved the way for the community and for Latinas in Hollywood.

Early Life

Rita Moreno was born Rosa Dolores Alverío Moreno on December 11, 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico where she lived until the age of five. Her mother later moved them to New York City, where Moreno quickly began working her way into the entertainment industry. She started taking dance classes, including Spanish dance lessons from Paco Cansino, Rita Hayworth’s uncle and dance instructor.

At just nine years old, she gave her first public performance, dancing at a Greenwich Village nightclub. By her early teens, she was regularly performing on her own in New York clubs. At age 11, Moreno was hired to record Spanish-language versions of American films, and soon after, she made her Broadway debut as Angelina in Skydrift at only 13 years old. The role opened the door to her future in Hollywood.

During a dance recital, Moreno was spotted by a talent agent who recommended her to MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer. She was soon signed to a seven-year movie contract on the spot. Upon arriving in Hollywood, casting agent Bill Grady told her she needed a new name. Moreno, then known as Rosita, became Rita Moreno, combining her stepfather Edward Moreno’s last name with the first name of Hollywood star Rita Hayworth.

West Side Story & Hollywood Typecasting

Before her big break, Moreno’s early big-screen appearances included So Young, So Bad (1950), where she was still credited as Rosita, prior to adopting her stage name. Her first MGM film was The Toast of New Orleans, and she later landed a small role in the now-iconic Singin’ in the Rain. After her appearance in Singin’ in the Rain, Moreno was dropped from her MGM contract and began auditioning independently for roles to help support her family.

During this period, her acting credits included The Fabulous Señorita (1952), Latin Lovers (1953), El Alamein (1953), and The King and I (1956). In 1954, Moreno was signed to another seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox after being profiled in a cover story on Life Magazine.

In 1961, a pivotal moment in Moreno’s career arrived when she was cast as Anita in the film adaptation of the musical West Side Story, a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in New York City amid rival gangs. Her now-iconic performance made history, as she became the first Latina to win an Academy Award, earning Best Supporting Actress at the 34th Academy Awards in 1962.

Throughout her career, Moreno was frequently typecast as a “Mexican spitfire” and offered ethnic or overly sexualized roles. She was routinely cast outside of her own ethnic background, portraying Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native American characters. Despite her historic Oscar win, agents continued submitting her almost exclusively for “exotic” or Latina roles. After enduring years of mistreatment, Moreno made the decision to step away from Hollywood following her Oscar win, choosing to focus primarily on theater for several years.

Return to Acting & Earning Her EGOT Status

Moreno returned to the industry in the late 1960s and 1970s with roles in films like Marlowe (1969) and Carnal Knowledge (1971). During this period, she became a main cast member on the PBS children’s television series The Electric Company, where she starred from 1971 to 1977. In 1972, she earned a Grammy Award for The Electric Company Album, marking the beginning of her path toward the coveted EGOT status.

On Broadway, Moreno appeared in the stage play The Ritz, earning the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play in 1975. In 1977, her guest appearance on The Muppet Show earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program. With that win, Moreno became the first Latina to achieve EGOT status, earning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, and only the third person in history to do so at the time.

After a career spanning decades and filled with groundbreaking achievements, Moreno continues to be a fixture in the entertainment industry. More recently, she starred as Lydia Alvarez in the Latina-led series One Day at a Time (2017–2020) and returned to the story that earned her an Oscar, taking on the role of Valentina in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation of West Side Story.

Recognition & Legacy

Rita Moreno has been a trailblazer throughout her career and remains one of the most beloved and iconic Latinas in Hollywood. Her groundbreaking contributions have been recognized at the highest levels, including receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2004 and the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama in 2009. She has also earned numerous lifetime achievement honors, including the SAG Life Achievement Award and the Peabody Career Achievement Award in 2013, as well as a Kennedy Center Honor in 2015.

Moreno’s legacy and impact continue to inspire generations, from a children’s book about her life titled A Girl Named Rosita to being immortalized as a Barbie modeled after her 1962 Oscars look. Now 94, she is considered one of the few remaining stars of Hollywood Golden Age, with a career that has paved the way for Latinas in entertainment and far beyond.