Monday, May 25, 2026

RIP Chita Rivera, Broadway Legend Starred in the Original “West Side Story,” Won Every Award Including 2 Tonys

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Chita Rivera seemed like she’d live forever. She died today at 91, but will live on forever in Broadway history.

She starred in the original “West Side Story” on Broadway and caused a sensation. Chita Rivera won two Tony Awards and had eight other nominations. She also was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

Chita had an indomitable spirit. She loved the audience, and the shows themselves. She was Broadway’s Queen. Several years ago, the Chita Rivera Awards were established in her name. They’ll be held this year on May 20th here in New York.

Condolences to her family, friends, and fans. The latter includes everyone!

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Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman is the founder and editor-in-chief of Showbiz411. He wrote the FOX411 column on FoxNews.com from 1999 to 2009 and previously edited Fame magazine and wrote the "Intelligencer" column at New York magazine. His bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, Vogue, Details, and the Miami Herald. He is a voting member of the Critics Choice Awards (Film and Television branches), and his movie reviews are tracked by Rotten Tomatoes. is articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. With D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, he co-produced the 2002 documentary "Only the Strong Survive," which screened at Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.

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