Chita Rivera First Husband: Who is Tony Mordente?

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Chita Rivera First Husband: Who is Tony Mordente?

Tony Mordente, born on December 3, 1935, is an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and television director.

He is best known for his work in the Broadway and film versions of “West Side Story”

Mordente was born in New York City and attended the High School of Performing Arts.

Tony Mordente and Lisa Mordente during Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life Broadway Opening Night – Arrivals at The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)

He made his professional dance debut at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Massachusetts¹. He was discovered by Michael Kidd, who cast him in the 1956 Broadway musical adaptation of the Al Capp comic strip “Li’l Abner”

Mordente met Chita Rivera during the run of “West Side Story” in 1957, where she played Anita¹. They got married in December of that same year¹. The couple had a daughter, Lisa Mordente¹. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1966.

Tony Mordente later married Jean G. Fraser in 1978. They are the parents of screenwriter Adriana Mordente

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