--- name: "Rita Moreno" canonical: "https://film.one/person/rita-moreno" fi1m_id: "rita-moreno" imdb_id: "nm0001549" tmdb_id: 13299 wikidata_id: "Q230151" roles: ["Actor"] born: "11 December 1931" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 74 average_as: "actor" average_over: 9 updated: "2026-10-05T13:14:48.402256+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Rita Moreno ## Identity Rita Moreno - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/rita-moreno - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** rita-moreno - **IMDb ID:** nm0001549 - **TMDB ID:** 13299 - **Wikidata ID:** Q230151 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Moreno, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q230151, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001549/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13299 Actor. Born 11 December 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 11 December 1931, Humacao, Puerto Rico - **Active:** 1952–present - **Also known as:** Rosa Dolores Alverío, Rosita Moreno , ریتا مورنو, Роса Долорес Альверио Маркано - **Frequently works with:** [Ernest Lehman](https://film.one/person/ernest-lehman.md) - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 9 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 82 (2), 1960s 80 (1), 1980s 65 (1), 1990s 86 (2), 2010s 50 (1), 2020s 68 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 78 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 5, Romance 5, Comedy 4, Crime 4, Action 1, Adventure 1 - **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,402m across 7 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Moreno, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q230151, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001549/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13299 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*Singin' in the Rain*](https://film.one/film/singin-in-the-rain.md) (93), [*Oz*](https://film.one/tv/oz.md) (80) - **Tubi:** [*West Side Story*](https://film.one/film/west-side-story.md) (80) - **Disney+:** [*West Side Story*](https://film.one/film/west-side-story-2021.md) (79) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The King and I*](https://film.one/film/the-king-and-i.md) (71) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Rita Moreno > Rita Moreno makes the supporting part worth watching, with musical skill and an energy that suits an ensemble. We admire that liveliness most when the role asks for more than another spirited woman. In *Singin' in the Rain* (1952), Rita Moreno is Zelda Zanders, one performer among the many pleasures of a musical built on comic timing. Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly make Hollywood's arrival of sound troublesome and funny; the slight romance is easy to forgive. We would not credit Moreno with everything we love about the film. Her supporting place in it is a useful starting point, though, because her gift is for giving an ensemble a lively, distinct presence. Across her musical work, the singing and dancing are part of how she acts. Anita in *West Side Story* (1961) made that musical skill central to her reputation. It is the obvious place to look for the energetic supporting performance she does so well, but its prominence can make the rest of the work seem incidental. The repeated demand for fiery or spirited characters, both before and after that breakthrough, gave her fewer chances to be particular. Energy can become tiresome if a part asks for nothing else, and we should not praise the restriction simply because she could meet it. The shift towards television and stage followed a shortage of substantial film roles. In *Oz* (1997), as Sister Peter Marie Reimondo, Moreno belongs to the ensemble of Tom Fontana's prison drama. We were disturbed by the suffering in *Oz*, because the performances keep it attached to people whose discomfort matters. The series' appetite for excess grows harder to defend as it continues, and strong acting cannot excuse every indulgence. Even so, we recommend it for the ensemble, which prevents the suffering from becoming merely spectacle. Moreno's place in that dramatic company deserves attention alongside the musical parts, without the faint surprise that a singer and dancer can also act. Her return as Valentina in *West Side Story* (2021) brought a newly created part and a collaboration with Steven Spielberg. There is sense in returning to a performer with a different job for her to do. For the work we can recommend most firmly, start with *Singin' in the Rain*, then try *Oz* if the discomfort is bearable. Do not mistake *Oz* for a comfortable evening in familiar company. ## Biography Rita Moreno is a Puerto Rican actress, dancer and singer. Born Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano on 11 December 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico, she made her Broadway debut at the age of 13 and signed a contract with MGM in 1950. She appeared as Zelda Zanders in the musical film *Singin' in the Rain* (1952). Moreno received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in *West Side Story* (1961). She is one of the few performers to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. Her other screen credits include *The King and I* (1956) and later television roles in series such as *Oz* (1997–2003) and *Jane the Virgin* (2014–2019). She also appeared in the 2021 film adaptation of *West Side Story*. *Sources: pbs.org, en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (9) - *Fast X* (2023), Fi1m 58, as Abuelita — [page](https://film.one/film/fast-x.md) - *West Side Story* (2021), Fi1m 79, as Valentina — [page](https://film.one/film/west-side-story-2021.md) - *Rio 2* (2014), Fi1m 50, as Aunt Mimi (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/rio-2.md) - *Oz* (1997), Fi1m 80, as Sister Peter Marie Reimondo — [page](https://film.one/tv/oz.md) - *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), Fi1m 91, as Rita Moreno — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md) - *The Four Seasons* (1981), Fi1m 65, as Claudia Zimmer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-four-seasons-1981.md) - *West Side Story* (1961), Fi1m 80, as Anita — [page](https://film.one/film/west-side-story.md) - *The King and I* (1956), Fi1m 71, as Tuptim — [page](https://film.one/film/the-king-and-i.md) - *Singin' in the Rain* (1952), Fi1m 93, as Zelda Zanders — [page](https://film.one/film/singin-in-the-rain.md) ## Complete filmography (146) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Prank* (2024), as Mrs. Wheeler - *Family Switch* (2023), as Angelica - *Fast X* (2023), as Abuelita — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/fast-x.md) - *80 for Brady* (2023), as Maura - *Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration* (2022), as Narrator (voice) - *Santa Bootcamp* (2022), as Belle - *My Father's Dragon* (2022), as Mrs. McClaren (voice) - *West Side Story* (2021), as Valentina · Executive Producer — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/west-side-story-2021.md) - *Maya and the Three* (2021), series, as Ah Puch (voice) - *Curious George: Cape Ahoy* (2021), as Gertrude St. John (voice) - *Green Eggs and Ham* (2019), series, as Dookess (voice) - *Bless This Mess* (2019), series, as Theresa - *Carmen Sandiego* (2019), series, as Cookie Booker (voice) - *Torch* (2018), as Aunt Francine - *One Day at a Time* (2017), series, as Lydia Riera - *Remember Me* (2016), as Nanna - *Nina's World* (2015), series, as Abuelita - *Grace and Frankie* (2015), series, as Lucy Chambers - *A Gift of Miracles* (2015), as Beverly Davis - *Actresses Turned Producer/Directors* (2014), Actor - *Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks* (2014), as Ida Barksdale - *Jane the Virgin* (2014), series, as Liliana De La Vega - *Rio 2* (2014), as Aunt Mimi (voice) — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/rio-2.md) - *Getting On* (2013), series, as Sister Lily Claire - *Welcome to the Family* (2013), series, as Lita - *Nicky Deuce* (2013), as Tutti - *Happily Divorced* (2011), series, as Dori Newman - *The Day Of The Dead* (2011), Actor - *When Medicine Got It Wrong* (2009), as Narrator - *In Plain Sight* (2008), series, as Rita Ramirez - *Cane* (2007), series, as Amalia Duque - *Ugly Betty* (2006), series, as Aunt Mirta - *Wanted* (2005), series, as Mrs. Kelly - *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Gayle McColl — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md) - *The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo* (2005), as Narrator (voice) - *Law & Order: Trial by Jury* (2005), series, as Mildred Quintana - *King of the Corner* (2004), as Inez - *Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of Mexico* (2003), as Doña Dolores / Woman #3 (voice) - *The Handler* (2003), series, Actor - *Casa de los Babys* (2003), as Señora Muñoz - *Open House* (2003), as Lydia Fitch - *The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema* (2002), Actor - *George Lopez* (2002), series, as Luisa Diaz - *Piñero* (2001), as Miguel's Mother - *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Frances Goren - *The Guardian* (2001), series, as Caroline Novack - *Strong Medicine* (2000), series, as Lydia - *When It Was a Game 3* (2000), as Passage Narrator (voice) - *Blue Moon* (2000), as Maggie Cavallo - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Mildred Quintana - *The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads* (1999), as Rita Kapkovic Landale - *Resurrection* (1999), as Mimi - *Carlo's Wake* (1999), as Angela Torello - *Slums of Beverly Hills* (1998), as Belle Abromowitz - *The Spree* (1998), as Irma Kelly - *Oz* (1997), series, as Sister Peter Marie Reimondo — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/oz.md) - *The Wharf Rat* (1996), as Mom - *Angus* (1995), as Madame Rulenska - *I Like It Like That* (1994), as Rosaria Linares - *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Amanda Revere - *The Cosby Mysteries* (1994), series, Actor - *The Magic School Bus* (1994), series, as Dr. Carmina Skeledon (voice) - *Italian Movie* (1994), as Isabella - *Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?* (1994), series, as Carmen Sandiego (voice) - *Burke's Law* (1994), series, as Jackie Lodge - *The Nanny* (1993), series, as Mrs. Wickervich Stone - *Hearts Afire* (1992), series, as Senator Rhonda Hall - *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), series, as Rita Moreno — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md) - *Top of the Heap* (1991), series, as Alixandra Stone - *Age Isn't Everything* (1991), as Rita - *Captain Planet and the Planeteers* (1990), series, as Ella Salvador (voice) - *B.L. Stryker* (1989), series, as Kimberly Baskin - *The Golden Girls* (1985), series, as Renee Corliss — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-golden-girls.md) - *The Cosby Show* (1984), series, as Mrs. Granger - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Congresswoman Madelyn Woods — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady* (1982), Actor - *Working* (1982), as Waitress - *Portrait of a Showgirl* (1982), as Rosella DeLeon - *9 to 5* (1982), series, as Violet Newstead - *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Waitress - *The Four Seasons* (1981), as Claudia Zimmer — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/the-four-seasons-1981.md) - *Evita Peron* (1981), as Renata Riguel - *Happy Birthday, Gemini* (1980), as Lucille Pompi - *Trapper John, M.D.* (1979), series, Actor - *Anatomy of a Seduction* (1979), as Nina - *The Marti Caine Show* (1979), series, Actor - *The Boss' Son* (1978), as Esther Rose - *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Gladys Gordon - *Lanigan's Rabbi* (1977), series, as Millie Hillman - *The Ritz* (1976), as Googie Gomez - *On the Rocks* (1975), series, Actor - *The Rockford Files* (1974), series, as Rita Capkovic — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-rockford-files.md) - *The Electric Company* (1971), series, as Carmela - *Carnal Knowledge* (1971), as Louise - *Medical Center* (1969), series, as Lydia Neal - *Marlowe* (1969), as Dolores Gonzáles - *Popi* (1969), as Lupe - *The Night of the Following Day* (1969), as Blonde - *Seaway* (1965), series, as Annabelle - *Run for Your Life* (1965), series, as Anita - *Cry of Battle* (1963), as Sisa - *Burke's Law* (1963), series, as Margaret Cowls - *Samar* (1962), as Woman Convict - *West Side Story* (1961), as Anita — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/west-side-story.md) - *Summer and Smoke* (1961), as Rosa Zacharias - *Mga Alamat Ng Sandaigdig* (1960), Actor - *This Rebel Breed* (1960), as Lola Montalvo - *Adventures in Paradise* (1959), series, as Inez Sanders - *Bourbon Street Beat* (1959), series, Actor - *Cimarron City* (1958), series, Actor - *Trackdown* (1957), series, as Tina - *The Deerslayer* (1957), as Hetty Hutter - *Richard Diamond, Private Detective* (1957), series, as Maria Ferrari - *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Linda - *Playhouse 90* (1956), series, as Rita - *The Vagabond King* (1956), as Huguette - *The King and I* (1956), as Tuptim — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/the-king-and-i.md) - *The Lieutenant Wore Skirts* (1956), as Sandra Roberts - *Matinee Theater* (1955), series, Actor - *Seven Cities of Gold* (1955), as Ula - *The 20th Century Fox Hour* (1955), series, as Sonseeahray - *Untamed* (1955), as Julia - *The Millionaire* (1955), series, as Alicia Conception Osante Williams - *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as Chulita - *Climax!* (1954), series, as Irene, Maria, Denise Cardoza, Francesca - *Garden of Evil* (1954), as Cantina Singer - *The Yellow Tomahawk* (1954), as Honey Bear - *Jivaro* (1954), as Maroa - *El Alaméin* (1953), as Jara - *Latin Lovers* (1953), as Christina - *Fort Vengeance* (1953), as Bridget Fitzgibbon - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Princess Michal - *The Abbott and Costello Show* (1952), series, as Telegram delivery girl - *The Ford Television Theatre* (1952), series, as Serene Crane - *Cavalcade of America* (1952), series, Actor - *The Ring* (1952), as Lucy Gomez - *Cattle Town* (1952), as Queli - *Singin' in the Rain* (1952), as Zelda Zanders — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/singin-in-the-rain.md) - *The Fabulous Senorita* (1952), as Manuela Rodríguez - *China Smith* (1952), series, Actor - *Schlitz Playhouse of Stars* (1951), series, as Lit-Lit - *Pagan Love Song* (1950), as Terru - *The Toast of New Orleans* (1950), as Tina - *So Young, So Bad* (1950), as Dolores Guererro - *Ford Theatre* (1948), series, Actor - *Theirs*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Rita Moreno](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-5ac609aad727.jpg) Rita Moreno — John Ferguson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Rita_Moreno_face.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards #glaadawards (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-ca0ec18335db.jpg) 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards #glaadawards (2014) — DVSROSS, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/GLAAD_2014_-_Jennifer_Lopez_-_Casper-10_%2814362076132%29.jpg/1280px-GLAAD_2014_-_Jennifer_Lopez_-_Casper-10_%2814362076132%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards #glaadawards (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-8a2c4bede542.jpg) 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards #glaadawards (2014) — DVSROSS, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/GLAAD_2014_-_Jennifer_Lopez_-_Casper-12_%2814340495346%29.jpg/1280px-GLAAD_2014_-_Jennifer_Lopez_-_Casper-12_%2814340495346%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards #glaadawards (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-d7f7a7e28326.jpg) 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards #glaadawards (2014) — DVSROSS, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/GLAAD_2014_-_Jennifer_Lopez_-_Casper-13_%2814176971578%29.jpg/1280px-GLAAD_2014_-_Jennifer_Lopez_-_Casper-13_%2814176971578%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Rita Moreno](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-1d5f5e834d50.jpg) Rita Moreno — Image via TMDB - ![Rita Moreno](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-f86585e3c894.jpg) Rita Moreno — Image via TMDB - ![Rita Moreno](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-dd86f8ae22ee.jpg) Rita Moreno — Image via TMDB - ![25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards #glaadawards (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-7f235362d7fe.jpg) 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards #glaadawards (2014) — DVSROSS, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/GLAAD_2014_-_Jennifer_Lopez_-_Casper-14_%2814340494526%29.jpg/1280px-GLAAD_2014_-_Jennifer_Lopez_-_Casper-14_%2814340494526%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards #glaadawards (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-5db2269a48a9.jpg) 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards #glaadawards (2014) — DVSROSS, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/GLAAD_2014_-_Jennifer_Lopez_-_Casper-16_%2814176946979%29.jpg/1280px-GLAAD_2014_-_Jennifer_Lopez_-_Casper-16_%2814176946979%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Rita Moreno](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-f769e2ee94a6.jpg) Rita Moreno — Image via TMDB - ![Rita Moreno](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-dcbf5d95e2f1.jpg) Rita Moreno — Image via TMDB - ![Rita Moreno](https://film.one/media/person/59281/gallery-3230b67665fd.jpg) Rita Moreno — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 1 won - 1962: Best Supporting Actress (won), for *West Side Story* ### SAG Awards — 1 won - 2014: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (won) ### Other awards — 10 won - BBC 100 Women 2022: BBC 100 Women (won) - Producers Guild Stanley Kramer Award 2022: Producers Guild Stanley Kramer Award (won) - Kennedy Center Honors 2015: Kennedy Center Honors (won) - Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award 2012: Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (won) - National Medal of Arts 2009: National Medal of Arts (won) - California Hall of Fame 2007: California Hall of Fame (won) - Congressional Gold Medal 2004: Congressional Gold Medal (won) - Presidential Medal of Freedom 2004: Presidential Medal of Freedom (won) - Amateur Cartoonist Extraordinary Award 1975: Amateur Cartoonist Extraordinary Award (won) - Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 1975: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/rita-moreno