- River is considered one of the best Broadway divas of all time
- She originated the role of Anita in the iconic musical West Side Story
- Friend Merle Frimark confirmed her tragic passing on Tuesday
Chita Rivera has died at the age of 91.
The Tony-winning actress had a long list of Broadway credits to her name spanning over seven decades, and was a recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor.
There is currently no cause of death at this time, but her friend Merle Frimark confirmed the sad news of her passing in a statement on Tuesday.
‘It is with immense personal sorrow that I announce the death of the beloved Broadway icon Chita Rivera. My dear friend of over 40 years was 91,’ Frimark said.
She was named ‘one of the best Broadway divas of all time’ by Time Out New York in 2019.
Born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson in 1933 – the American star was professionally known as Chita Rivera, who originated roles in Broadway musicals including Anita in West Side Story, Velma Kelly in Chicago, and the title role in Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Thanks to her involvement in such iconic musicals, Rivera ended up with an incredible ten Tony Award nominees to her name, winning three, including one for Lifetime Achievement.
In August 2009, she became the first Latina and the first Latino American to receive a Kennedy Center Honor and received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama.
Rivera’s career began by change in 1951, when she reportedly accompanied a friend to the audition for the touring company of Call Me Madam starring Elaine Stritch, but ended up landing the role herself.
Cleary written in the stars, Rivera then seemed to effortlessly glide through a number of other Broadway productions – including Guys and Dolls, Can-Can, Mr. Wonderful starring Sammy Davis, Jr., and Seventh Heaven.
But she reached true Broadways star status when she was cast as Anita in West Side Story – the classic musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
In 2021 at the 74th annual Tony Awards, the Broadway legend returned to the same stage that West Side Story held on its opening night.
‘Tonight, September, 26, 1957, on this very stage, I originated the role of Anita in West Side Story,’ she gushed after receiving a standing ovation.
Presenting alongside Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, he gushed that he had always dreamed of meeting River since he was a little teenager.
Rivera famously portrayed Anita, the girlfriend of Bernardo and a close friend and confidante to his sister Maria, in the acclaimed musical.
Outside of theatre, Rivera appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show several times, and was a guest on The Judy Garland Show.
She starred notably in Sweet Charity directed by Bob Fosse, playing the role of Nickie in the movie version with Shirley MacLaine in 1969.
Rivera also enjoyed a career in music, after legendary music producer Norman Petty approached her to record with him.
She released her first single in 1965 on the Dot Records label, and another the following year.
The star was set to release a full album of Buddy Holly cover songs backed by The Fireballs, but the project did not see the light of day.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
