Chita Rivera, the legendary Broadway star who last year told the story of her life in a memoir, has died at 91, the New York Times reports.
Born in Washington, D.C., Rivera was educated at the School of American Ballet, the prestigious New York institution co-founded by George Balanchine.
She acted in musicals including Guys and Dolls and Mr. Wonderful before landing the role that would catapult her to fame: Anita in West Side Story. She earned 10 Tony Award nominations throughout her career, winning for The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman, and received a lifetime achievement Tony in 2018. Her film credits included Sweet Charity, Chicago, and Tick, Tick... Boom!
Last April, HarperOne published Rivera’s memoir, Chita, which covered her early life and decades-long career as an actor. A critic for Kirkus praised the book, writing, “The author is honest and outspoken in life and on the page, and fans of musical theater and dance are in for a real treat.”
Rivera’s admirers paid tribute to her on social media. On X, formerly known as Twitter, actor Lou Diamond Phillips wrote, “The term ‘pioneer’ is becoming less and less applicable. But Chita Rivera was unequivocally a pioneer. She opened doors that many of us would eventually walk through. Thank you. In absolute awe and respect.”
And President Joe Biden posted, “Chita Rivera was an all-time-great of American musical theater, a pioneer whose magnetic performances in scores of Broadway productions brought joy to millions and captured the grit and grace of America. Our love goes out to her daughter, siblings, and generations of fans.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
