Chita Rivera, Acclaimed Star of 'West Side Story' and 'Chicago', Passes Away at 91 | Vanity Fair

Written by Chris Murphy

The renowned theater actress Chita Rivera, renowned for originating the parts of Anita in West Side Story and Velma Kelly in Chicago, has allegedly passed away at 91. Deadline reports that the Tony award-winning artist died serenely in her sleep in New York after a short sickness.

Rivera, born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson in Washington, DC on January 23, 1933, got her initial dance training at the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet as a child. She moved to New York City, having received a scholarship to the School of American Ballet run by George Balanchine. She made a huge splash in the theater world and soon became an unforgettable superstar on Broadway due to her extraordinary dancing skills, astounding voice, and impressive acting ability. In 1957, she rose to stardom with the role of Anita in West Side Story, created by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. Two later film versions saw actresses in the Anita role—Rita Moreno and Ariana DeBose—receive Oscars.

Rivera’s first nomination for a Tony came in 1961 for originating the role of Rose in Bye Bye Birdie, alongside Dick Van Dyke. She got another nomination in 1976 for best actress in a musical, having portrayed murderess Velma Kelly in John Kander and Fred Ebb’s Chicago, working alongside Gwen Verdon. Rivera would later win two Tonys for best actress in a musical for her contributions in two more Kander and Ebb projects, 1984’s The Rink and 1993’s Kiss of the Spider Woman. She also had roles in Jerry’s Girls, Nine, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, and The Visit, all Kander and Ebb projects, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Outside of the theater, Rivera played Nickie in the film version of Sweet Charity, which starred Shirley MacLaine. She had a cameo in the Oscar-winning movie version of Chicago, and was featured in Tick, Tick… Boom! by Lin-Manuel Miranda. During her younger years, Rivera was a common face on television, performing in The Judy Garland Show, The Carol Burnett Show, and The New Dick Van Dyke Show. Interestingly, she delightedly surprised Liza Minelli, who was also in Chicago and The Rink, during The Dinah Shore Show.

Rivera was a real trailblazer, becoming the first Latina to receive a Kennedy Center Honor in 2002. She was also granted the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

Rivera leaves behind her daughter Lisa Mordente and siblings Julio, Armando, and Lola del Rivero, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.