Early December 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Rosa Dolores Alverio is born. Five years later she moves to New York City. It won't be long before she gets her first job in show business in her early teens. Eventually she is hired by MGM Studios. Over the next few decades her performances will earn her an Oscar, Tony, a Grammy, 2 Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Presidential awards, and other recognitions. She is one of few to garner such wide-ranging recognition in her field.
 
 

Movie buffs may remember Rita Moreno as Tuptim in the film "The King and I" (1958). But most remember her from her role as the stalwart Anita making the best of it in in a new country, in a crowded city: "Ah, I'm an American girl now, I don't wait", in the film "West Side Story" (1961). The wider audience of film helped break several molds, Rita was right there helping push the envelope on what roles minorities could play, on urban social issues. Rita: "When was the last time you saw a musical about people at war with each other?" In 1961, the film helped challenge many preconceptions in American society art, and culture. Rita Moreno received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She was the first Hispanic to receive it.

Later she continued her career in film and on stage; she starred in "Popi" (1969). Along the way she worked with Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, James Garner. She received an Emmy for her television work on the Rockford Files (1978), playing a role of a woman with a strong heart wrangling to leave street life behind. The year before she received an Emmy for her appearance on the Muppet Show--a performance easily found on Youtube.com that still produces smiles as she does sexy, haughty, and funny all at once against the foil of obstreperous Animal, a muppet.

Rita Moreno worked on PBS' The Electric Company (1970s) for six seasons. Lurking inside are gems of singing and acting. A kid's educational show on public TV, The Electric Company replete with talent, won a 1972 Grammy award for it's soundtrack.

Ms. Moreno's career continues on stage and on television. She performs in a music video as music videos hit the scene on cable TV. You will find her in HBO's "Oz" and CBS' "The Guardian"; on stage you find her in "The Ritz".

And then as she sees illness strike members of her family she realizes that there's more she can do in the educational realm and takes her skills to the local scene. Rita Moreno turns to speaking at a public library as a part of Hispanic Heritage Month, or speaking for the American Heart Association's "Heart of Diabetes Program". Eventually she receives US Presidential recognition for her efforts from George Bush and recently from President Obama.