Skip to content

Condition: Post with Page_List

Listen
Search
Please enter at least 3 characters.

Latest Stories

Chita Rivera, Tony-winning legend in original Broadway production of 'West Side Story,' dies at 91

Chita Rivera poses at Chita Rivera's 90th Birthday Celebration at Bathtub Gin on January 23, 2023 in New York City.
Chita Rivera poses at Chita Rivera's 90th Birthday Celebration at Bathtub Gin on January 23, 2023 in New York City.
Bruce Glikas/Getty Images

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Chita Rivera, a Broadway legend, dancer, actor and singer, passed away at 91 on Tuesday, according to her family.

Best known for her performance in musicals like "West Side Story," "Chicago," and "Kiss of the Spider Woman," Rivera's career spanned over seven decades.


She was a three-time Tony Award winner and received six additional Tony nominations. She is also a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.

Starting her Broadway journey in 1950, Rivera's talent led her to play over 30 roles in various shows. She became renowned for playing the original Velma Kelly in the 1975 Broadway production of "Chicago" and later, for the 25th anniversary, played Roxie Hart in Toronto, Las Vegas, and London.

Rivera's role as Anita in "West Side Story" was one of the highlights of her career, a part she reprised in later years. She also had a small role in Jon Chu's 2021 film "In The Heights."

In addition to her theater achievements, Rivera was honored with the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002.

"I always used to think that we should have two lifetimes: one to try it out, and the second one to know what's coming," Rivera  told CBS in a recent interview.

Rivera also wrote an autobiography, "Chita: A Memoir," which came out last year.

Lisa Mordente, Rivera's daughter, announced her death but did not give further details.