What is Chita Rivera most famous for?

What is Chita Rivera most famous for?

Chita Rivera, born as Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson, was an American actress, singer, and dancer who was best known for her energetic performances in Broadway musicals¹³. She received numerous accolades including two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, and a Drama League Award.

She was the first Latina and the first Latino American to receive a Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, and Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. She won the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018.

Rivera made her Broadway debut as a dancer in “Guys and Dolls” in 1950. She then went on to originate roles in Broadway musicals such as Anita in “West Side Story” in 1957, Velma Kelly in “Chicago” in 1975, and the title role in “Kiss of the Spider Woman” in 1993.

She was a ten-time Tony Award nominee, winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical twice for her roles in “The Rink” in 1984 and “Kiss of the Spider Woman” in 1993.

She was Tony-nominated for her roles in “Bye Bye Birdie” in 196, “Chicago” in 1975, “Merlin” in 1983, “Jerry’s Girls” in 1986, “Nine” in 2003, and “The Visit” in 2015.

Rivera acted in the film “Sweet Charity” in 1969 and appeared in “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” in 1978, and “Tick, Tick… Boom!” in 2021.

She played Connie Richardson in the CBS sitcom “The New Dick Van Dyke Show” from 1973 to 1974.

She also appeared on television in “The Judy Garland Show” in 1963, “The Carol Burnett Show” in 1971, and “Will & Grace” in 2005¹. Her autobiography, “Chita: A Memoir,” was published in 2023¹.