Chita Rivera
Biography
Chita Rivera was an American actress, singer, and dancer. Born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero, she was born on January 23, 1933, in Washington, D.C., USA. Rivera achieved stardom for her performance as Anita in the original Broadway production of West Side Story, a role she reprised in London. She won two Tony Awards for her roles in The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman. Rivera's career spanned over 59 known credits, with her known for her energetic performances in various Broadway musicals. She passed away on January 30, 2024, at the age of 91.
Career overview
Chita Rivera was an American actress, singer, and dancer who became a musical theater icon. She achieved stardom for her performance as Anita in the original Broadway production of West Side Story, a role she reprised in London. Rivera's energetic performances in various Broadway musicals earned her recognition.
Rivera won two Tony Awards for her roles in The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman. Her acting credits include performances in numerous Broadway musicals. Chita Rivera's career spanned multiple decades, with her known credits totaling 59.
Rivera was born on January 23, 1933, in Washington, D.C., USA. She passed away on January 30, 2024, at the age of 91. Chita Rivera's legacy as a musical theater icon continues to be celebrated through her performances in iconic Broadway productions.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
61 titles- Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story (2025) as Self
- Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Studio One Forever (2024) as Self
- Celebrating 50 Years of Broadway's Best (2023) as Self
- Reopening: The Broadway Revival (2022) as Self
- tick, tick... BOOM! (2021) as "Sunday" Legend #13
- Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (2021) as Self
- Something's Coming: West Side Story (2021) as Self
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- Bottomless Brunch at Colman's (2020) as Self
- Chita: A Legendary Celebration (2020) as Self
- Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance (2020) as Self
- Amy's Victory Dance (2020) as Self
- Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back (2019) as Self
- Merely Marvelous: The Dancing Genius of Gwen Verdon (2019) as Self
- Every Act of Life (2018) as Self
- Bathtubs Over Broadway (2018) as Self
- Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting (2018) as Broadway Diva
- West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic (2016) as Self
- Chita Rivera: A Lot Of Livin' To Do (2015) as Self
- Private Screenings: Robert Osborne (2014) as Self
- A Place for Us: West Side Story's Legacy (2011) as Self
- Kalamazoo? (2006) as Giannina
- Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards (2005) as Spider Woman / Aurora ("Kiss Of The Spider Woman") (arch. foot.)
- Broadway's Lost Treasures (2003) as Host (segment "Record Breakers") / Velma Kelly (segment "Chicago")
- Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) as Self
- Chicago (2002) as Nickie
- My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs (2001) as Self
- Will & Grace (1998) as Lenore
- The Music of Kander & Ebb: Razzle Dazzle (1997) as Self (archive footage)
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story (1996) as Self
- A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury (1996) as Self
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as Katy (voice)
- Night of 100 Stars III (1990) as Self
- Mayflower Madam (1987) as Risa Dickstein
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Self
- That's Dancing! (1985) as From 'Sweet Charity' (archive footage)
- The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team (1984) as Self - Performer
- Pippin (1981) as Fastrada
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) as Our Guests at Heartland
- Once Upon a Brothers Grimm (1977) as Gingerbread Lady
- Live from Lincoln Center (1976) as Chita Rivera
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- The Marcus-Nelson Murders (1973) as Josie Hopper
- Sondheim: A Musical Tribute (1973)
- Great Performances (1971) as Self
- The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971) as Connie Richardson
- The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971) as Conni Richardson
- Sweet Charity (1969) as Nickie
- From Stage to Screen---A Director's Dilemma (1969)
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self - Guest / Various Characters
- The Hollywood Palace (1964) as Self - Singer / Dancer
- The Outer Limits (1963) as Mrs. Dame
- The Judy Garland Show (1963) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Performer
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Chita Rivera best known for?
Chita Rivera is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including tick, tick... BOOM! (2021), Stars in the House (2020), Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back (2019), Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003).
When and where was Chita Rivera born?
Chita Rivera was born on January 23, 1933 in Washington, D.C., USA. They passed away on January 30, 2024.
How many credits does Chita Rivera have?
Chita Rivera has accumulated over 61 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1948 to 2025.
What is Chita Rivera's background in cinema and television?
Chita Rivera was an American actress, singer, and dancer. Born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero, she was born on January 23, 1933, in Washington, D.C., USA. Rivera achieved stardom for her performance as Anita in the original Broadway production of West Side Story, a role she reprised in London. She won two Tony Aw...
Chita Rivera by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Live from Lincoln Center (1976) as Chita Rivera — aged about 43
- The Judy Garland Show (1963) as Self — aged about 30
- The Outer Limits (1963) as Mrs. Dame — aged about 30
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self — aged about 34
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self - Guest / Various Characters — aged about 34
- tick, tick... BOOM! (2021) as "Sunday" Legend #13 — aged about 88
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