“Recently I was on a bus in New York City and two young men said, ‘Hey, you look like Rita Moreno.’” she told AARP. However, those fans sometimes still need convincing they’re meeting the real deal. Given that her career has such a wide breadth and range over the span of numerous decades, she still gets recognized in public, including by people in younger generations. Moreno has a whopping 172 credits to her name on IMDb, some of which are still upcoming projects. Fans didn’t believe who she was while riding a bus in New York City And while that might be enough in a lifetime for many people, Moreno has declared she isn’t interested in retiring anytime soon. Among other impressive accolades, Moreno is also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Emmys came in 19, for The Rockford Files and The Muppet Show respectively. The Tony award followed in 1975 for best featured actress in The Ritz.

Moreno began acting in Spanish films dubbed in English when she was 11 years old, but it took her numerous years to overcome harmful typecasting.įollowing her performance in the original 1961 West Side Story (for which she won an Oscar for best supporting actress), she went on to win a Grammy in 1972 for her part on The Electric Company’s soundtrack album. Moreno not only secured the trophies required for an EGOT, but she also did it in record time, taking just 16 years to accomplish the feat, according to IMDb. ( Viola Davis became the 18th person to achieve this in February, when she won a Grammy for narrating her memoir, Finding Me.) Known as the “grand slam” in the entertainment industry, a person claims EGOT status when they have won at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award over the course of their careers. Moreno is one of only 18 people in history to secure the coveted EGOT status. Rita Moreno is one of the select few to earn an EGOT in her career Rita Moreno attends the Cinema Vanguard Award ceremony I Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images However, from time to time she still has to prove who she is - especially when she’s riding public transportation in New York City.

The 91-year-old Puerto Rican actor is perhaps best known for playing Anita in the original West Side Story, but has a breadth of experience that few actors can measure up to.Īside from her acting accomplishments, Moreno was romantically linked with the likes of Marlon Brando and Elvis Presley, to name a few. McClaren.With more than 80 years of acting under her belt, Rita Moreno has done her share of work in Hollywood and has shelves worth of awards to show for it. Her latest movie, 80 for Brady, in which she stars alongside Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Sally Field, is out February 3 she just released a Lifetime holiday movie, Santa Bootcamp and the recent Netflix animated film, My Father’s Dragon, stars her as the voice of Mrs. You’d think an EGOT winner might opt to pump the brakes later in life, but the West Side Story star shows no signs of slowing down. “You are amazing, continued blessings and a very Happy Birthday 🎉❤️,” someone else wrote. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, you ravishing example of womanhood, you!! We love you and hope you have a spectacular new year of life!” Gloria Estefan wrote. On Instagram, Moreno’s friends and followers showered her post with birthday love. The night was completed by a visit from a Frank Sinatra serenader delivered by Norman Lear and Brent Miller, who couldn’t make the party. “She thought that she was coming upstairs just to see a new light fixture-she didn’t realize that the place would be full of friends,” she said. “It was a white party with beautiful white decorations and white fairy lights to complement her fresh white condo,” Gordon told People, adding that her mom was totally surprised by the gathering. They all wore white to match the surprise party’s theme, which was elegantly executed by Gordon. In the photos, Moreno posed (wearing a birthday crown, of course!) with her friend, author Amy Tan, her grandson Justin Fisher, and more. “Muchas gracias mi familia y amigos! Besos!” “Overjoyed with the outpouring of love and gratitude and elated to have spent my day with some of my nearest and dearest,” Moreno’s caption continued. With loved ones and a career like hers, who wouldn’t be?

Moreno shared a photo from the evening on Instagram, writing: “High on life at 91!!!!!” The actress turned 91 on December 11, and to celebrate the milestone, her daughter, Fernanda Luisa Gordon, threw a surprise party attended by her closest family and friends. The holiday season comes with another very special day for Rita Moreno: her birthday.

The actress and EGOT winner shows no signs of slowing down, with a movie on the way and multiple other projects in the works.

“High on life at 91!!!!!” she captioned the post.

Rita Moreno celebrated turning 91 with photos snapped at her recent surprise birthday party.

Rita moreno young