Rita Moreno and George Chakiris on Their 1961 Oscar Winning Film 'West Side Story'

The two stars on auditioning for Jerome Robbins, learning to dance and practicing their loser face in case they didn't win at the 1962 Academy Awards. "I was truly killing myself but I wanted that part so badly," says Moreno about taking dance lessons in preparation to play Anita.
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[@vistaestrada]

George Chakiris, at the time of this interview, was 80 years old!

[@dianemccamy2568]

No!

[@jeremykarnik2859]

What?! He looks maybe 50 tops! I wish I could age that well!

[@triciajohansen7124]

He looks FANTASTIC!!!!!❤

[@vegetariansuniteworldwide8091]

Is he still alive? I heard Rita will be in the new version.

[@orion8835]

He was stunning then and very talented and he literally still looks incredible.

[@tiffsaver]

Rita Moreno is a National Treasure, the ONLY woman to win ALL FIVE of the industry's top awards... what a contribution, what a WOMAN!!!

[@SomethingSomethingg]

EGOT and what's the fifth one?

[@jess4metoo]

@@SomethingSomethingg I would guess a Golden Globe.

[@sbasi2739]

@@jess4metoo medal of freedom

[@jess4metoo]

@@sbasi2739 While that’s an honor reserved for few, that’s not an entertainment award.

[@isabel_gi1]

@@SomethingSomethingg she received the Peabody award which makes it 5

[@buddy51]

How lovely that they remained such close friends over all that time!

[@Renard88]

Maybe they was lovers

[@akrenwinkle]

@@Renard88 If you ever are unsure if a celebrity is straight or gay, go to wikipedia. If there is absolutely nothing about the person's personal life except place, date of birth, and birth family, the person's gay.

[@kirsteni.russell5903]

They were both standouts in WEST SIDE STORY. All the actors were good, but Rita Moreno and George Chakiris practically jumped off the screen. I mean, they were sizzling hot!

[@mca1218]

What a lovely segment. The only two Oscar winners for acting in WSS seem like true soulmates.

[@adiregis1335]

They truly deserved their Oscars!!!

[@WakandaBabe]

I did not know she learned to dance for that role. She was incredible.

[@aryalogo6624]

he was already a proffessional dancer though so that helped

[@Hello-fz3cj]

@@aryalogo6624 *she

[@cheryl457]

George Chakiris looks like he is 40 man

[@misha84]

Thanks to LA doctors...

[@paulskyekahawaty6133]

So, LA doctors only offer their service to him, I've seen a whole lot of Hollywood celebrities of his age, who look way older than him.

[@LunazulBaraka]

Cheryl Reitz his voice and neck gives away

[@MDBJSW]

I think its a good lifestyle, Mediterranean diet and he probably exercises.

[@eduardoibazeta8157]

@@MDBJSW , sure he was a remarkable dancer.

[@Irishgui83]

How do they look so naturally young (apart from George's dye job lol). They both look wonderful and have a youthful energy about them.

[@lindseysquire8417]

They've been best friends since at least 1961. That's incredible.

[@sandrapister3589]

I've seen WSS at least 70 times. No kidding. My all-time favorite movie. Best score, best music, and the best dancing.

[@HovaNirvana]

Sandra Pister That Jets opening number...is just plain FUN to watch.

[@snatched.8135]

It's kinda funny how the supporting actors nobody believed in, outshined and were the only ones to win an Oscars

[@mysticalmargaret6105]

My gosh these great Stars are both as gorgeous as ever! They aged beautifully like wine! It's so funny to hear them both in their regular 'American' accents versus the Puerto Rican accented English they spoke in the film!

[@XX-gy7ue]

how could this be , they have to be about 80 ! AMAZING !

[@TheCannoliChronicles]

I love that this exists. How cool to see them together after so many years. I'm in AWE.

[@markgillespie4630]

George is the youngest old man I've ever seen in my life!

[@raecoyote]

Omg, they both look completely amazing!

[@a.s.alfred9975]

They should have presented the award together during this year Academy Award.

[@dougmac6803]

They danced their butts off!!! Excellent performances

[@goldcds]

Rita ia one of gods true gift to this world. A true star and a very talented person.

[@andresland182]

Rita: what a sweetheart But, come on George did not age at all, he looks as if he were in his 40s

[@GeorgeAdamo]

Omg...I always thought Rita was cheating time looking so young at 87...but George literally looks like her grandson! He doesn't even look 40! Is anyone else in disbelief that he somehow looks half his age?!

[@GeorgeAdamo]

@Joseph Norm I just watched it again and still cannot believe that is George. Rita will always be gorgeous but at this point I would refuse to be filmed next to him

[@rickovery]

I thought he was the interviewer at first. Then, I almost passed out when they said he had been. In the movie!

[@skeltonknaggs1600]

My favorite musical by far

[@janjordan4914]

My number one favorite movie of all time watched it about 29 times love the music

[@mauricioduron3193]

Ditto!

[@joselito7776]

These two are very well preserved specimens.

[@keriamakrueger4493]

Oh, how I loved George Chakiris! I dated a handsome guy as a teenager (first innocent love

[@thecatman4ever]

What a great video! Both George & Rita look wonderful after all these years. I sure would love to see all the surviving cast members get together for a reunion.... I hope they are able to pull it off. West Side Story will go down in history for being one of the greatest movies ever.

[@johnnydeep7293]

So you're telling me, Rita Moreno only studied dance while she was auditioning? When I saw the movie, I thought she was already dancing for years. Wow.

[@ilsaramos379]

It's the latin blood inside of her. Probably, she inherited from her parents. Maby her instructors had latin blood inside of them.

[@Sofiaode18]

She danced when she was younger before being contracted by mgm.

[@Usagi.moon.power.]

they look amazing omg ❤

[@jojober1980]

I was 6 or 7 when I saw West Side Story, I sat through it 2 x and fell in love with the leader of the Jets, George Chikaris, love Rita Merino too! What a great classic film that I'll never forget, they both look wonderful!!!!

[@barbaratang8685]

George was leader of the Sharks in the movie.

[@barbarabonnette2705]

Rita I can’t believe you needed dancing lessons.....your performance was so powerful! I loved you to, but only had eyes for George! I was 5. Lol.

[@carolynellis387]

Both look fabulous here as they did in the film. Great dance sequences

[@psychokarloff]

One day in the 1980s I was walking down the street in the theatre district in NYC, by the Belasco Theatre, where the acclaimed revival of "Dracula," designed by Edward Gorey, was playing. It was recently announced that Frank Langella, who was playing Drac, was leaving the show. As I approached the stage door, it was flung open, and out stepped George Chakiris, dressed all in black, looking none too pleased. He stalked away. I surmised he had just auditioned for the title role, and it had not gone well. He never played Dracula on Broadway. But still I was amazed that with his credentials, he was still willing to audition for a lead role on stage. Always a star.

[@tripleooo9639]

WOW !!!!! CLASSIC !!!!!! THAT WOMAN MAKES ME SO PROUD TO BE PUERTO RICAN .

[@fousies]

My god how old is George? These Latins and Greeks don’t age!

[@giannislekkakos1996]

We are optimist OPA!!!! We find the beauty of the life in a simple things like friendship, a glass of wine with friends, smile, good food, OPA dance,syrtaki, jokes, we appreciate with less, and we live for today.

[@papabear5080]

He's 86 as 2021.

[@Marina-pe1gx]

Oh us greeks age quite noticeably. Not a bad thing though;)

[@j.b.9260]

@@giannislekkakos1996 Now I want to find an older Greek woman.

[@nickn1316]

All the comments before mine have already said it all but I cant not say nothing - those 2 beautiful friends ,it shows what dancing can do for you ,keeps you healthy - Rita's determination to get the part is inspirational they are both inspiring 💕

[@jbyesterday3959]

I was 10 years old when I saw this in real time at the movies (Academy of Music on 14th st in NYC) with the pride of being Puerto Rican, & Bernardo being my middle name. And although George Chakiris wasn't Puerto Rican in real life, he certainly looked the part - & of course, Rita Moreno was. To this day, I love the movie, the stars & the music. My forever congratulations to Rita (whose book "A Memoir" is truly fascinating) & George on their Oscars & their eternal friendship. Que Dios los bendiga.

[@josephinemateo2553]

Imagine them as a couple and having them as your grandparents 😍😍😍 They’re so attractive together.

[@dabeage]

I was too young when West Side Story came out BUT, Rita helped raise me with "Electric Company." Our family was one of the first to get divorced (on our block,) and we were a bit shunned. They called us "latchkey kids." Eventually, everybody's family seemed to get divorced and it wasn't as big a deal. We would come home from school and turn on the TV, first thing; and had someone there everyday teaching us all kinds of things about dealing with people, problems and loneliness. So, thank you, thank you, thank you Rita. You were a second mom to us.

[@avuncular300]

So lovely. Great artistes and apparently the best of friends. My kind of world !!

[@jmnny85]

They both are talented and stunning!

[@morningstar4867]

when i saw George i immediately googled his age. he looks so young fir his age. looks 30 or 20 year younger than his age.

[@Bailemos888]

Rita looks amazing, beautiful.

[@ernestorosado108]

Rita Moreno is simply adorable

[@keaneoRX7]

It's incredible Georges Chakiris is 86 years old, and looks like 45 !

[@saunders49]

George looks about 40. Is he a vampire?

[@Samalamalamdam]

+saunders49 Hair dye, I expect.

[@billbates5475]

@@Samalamalamdam his Greek genes.

[@eduardoibazeta8157]

Hahahahahahaha!! :D

[@kirsteni.russell5903]

I saw WEST SIDE STORY in its initial release--after having seen Hitchcock's VERTIGO, NORTH BY NORTHWEST, and PSYCHO (all scored by Bernard Herrmann) in their initial releases--and then I saw LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (with its combination Middle-Eastern-Western-style music score) in its initial release. Those movies stand out in my memory as the most extraordinary and wonderful I've ever seen or ever will see. So WEST SIDE STORY is not alone on a pinnacle in my mind, but it's still in rare company!

[@tresa0655]

Love these two!

[@rubberdc]

I loved george in that film a very handsome man ,,,,very sexy. and still is.

[@HappySlayer81]

They both look fantastic. I'm 39 and look like I'm 70

[@jingren]

Both of them were in their early 80s during this interview…… I swear, if they said they were 60, I wouldn't even question

[@rdo1231]

legends

[@poetcomic1]

This is one movie that did NOT need to be 'remade'.

[@lindalcoomes]

Rita was also in The King and I with Yul Brynner, another Oscar winner. I heard she was very nervous around Yul, lol. She was blessed for that opportunity.

[@rosebencivenga9601]

Luv u luv u luv u / my family r addicted to WEST SIDE STORY WE STILL CRY BUT THE SINGING AND DANCING THE LYRICS THIS WAS THE TRIFECTA

[@johncimaglia7270]

I’d like to pretend that Bernardo did not get killed and that’s Anita and Bernardo so many years later as an older married couple.

[@julinhocarignani6839]

Pure magic !!!!!

[@vicenteperezcebrian4435]

Estan muy guapos

[@drewhall3427]

Loved this.

[@kallen868]

Loved this!

[@arriek.1375]

They look so much alike😍

[@annetteathanasatos1229]

George Chakiris, greatest actor, dancer and singer. I saw all his movies,

[@devontepowell2255]

They look younger then their age

[@paulveg8524]

They both look amazing ...

[@j.b.9260]

Rita has silver hair and she's hot. I don't think George has anything to worry about.

[@jmh27]

I love them

[@Chris_like_it_not]

Happy Birthday to Mr.Chakiris 9-16-36,Ohio.Greek Yogurt,Pita & George.They showed this movie when i was in High School.What bunch of beautiful natural looking people.

[@TheKons12]

The Hollywood Reporter ;) best 1

[@danielbisson8032]

still a handsome hunk

[@misssaramariya]

national treasures 😭😭

[@lanadosanjos4840]

😍😍😍I ❤ them so much! 😍😍

[@aleczavala5010]

When I saw the thumbnail, I thought it was Rita with her son or grandson, damn!

[@TheEchovoices]

he looks amazing

[@Jen-jo5qu]

Do these people not age?? Such beauties!

[@kawaii89123]

They obviously have so much love for each other you can tell in their younger pictures the body language especially when George holds Rita by her waist in almost every picture. I'm surprised they didn't end up together in real life.

[@nondescript2892]

Oh please....he's gay..stop the straightwashing

[@kawaii89123]

@@nondescript2892 oh yeah? Where's your references? Rumors? Yeah ok...

[@petersdagboek]

they were great...awesome. With the movie west side story my puberty started...I got romantic. With other pubers we immitate west side story and played it in the attic of my parents house. the beginning is fascinating. the song maria is so moving. Thanks for your movie and making me aware. I must have the same clothes such as the purple shirt .

[@SydneyYaeko]

Does anyone know the brand of her necklace?

[@footyfan101ful]

George looks older than in the movie than in real life.

[@NL-tr7ix]

I’m just shocked that he’s already 82 years old during this interview…

[@joevald3]

Listening to the awards an the movies that they contended with his unbelievable . Hollywood today makes no good movies nothing that was stand test time like those movies especially the Judgment at Nuremberg and West side story ..

[@Mexicanita1904]

Rita Moreno is almost 3 years older than George. He's obviously had surgery (face lift) and colors his hair. Poor man, his face is pulled so tight he has difficulty speaking! Rita looks great for her age. She truly has such a youthful spirit.

[@lukeloveslauraalways]

George is still Hott. He has always been gorgeous. Great dancer too

[@hipnhappenin]

No way. Rita Moreno wasn’t a trained dancer??

[@theresabollman8061]

He must have been living on London for several decades.

[@carrotjuse]

Rita Moreno was more beautiful than ever.

[@BellaFirenze]

(Greek: Γεώργιος Τσακίρης; born September 16, 1934)

[@judiemccall988]

Ms Moreno you are still beautiful

[@YouzTube99]

Sitting together, supporting each other . . . friendship. George winning his Oscar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXjKoImfnbdqrtU Rita winning hers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJKyqmObl5WHmNU

[@CaptChrispy]

Does anybody know whether Rita was always going for Anita or was she interested in Maria?

[@Samalamalamdam]

I'm 27. Rita's 84. I still want to kiss her.

[@Patrick3183]

This man is over 80 years old

[@da96103]

I thought they got George's son to stand in for his father.

[@levicruise27]

Wow George looks so young they look like mother and daughter.

[@sandraelder1101]

Daughter???

[@SaharaColeman]

Wow they look so much siblings.

[@xMlleCheerry]

why did he dye his hair

[@jackrenglish]

YEP...JACK ENGLISH....WSS/SF..A JET.....JE

[@pare..4286]

quanti? forse 11 non ricordo bene

[@chrisaguilera751]

This guy a vampire?

[@bytheriv8]

No way his hair is real...

[@nononowhoa8567]

Bernado looks strange