Chita Rivera Dies: Broadway Icon & Original ‘West Side Story’ & ‘Chicago’ Star Was 91

Kelli Boyle January 30, 2024, 2:53 pm

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Chita Rivera attends the Chita Rivera Awards 2023 at NYU Skirball Center on May 22, 2023 in New York City. — Jason Mendez/Getty Images

Chita Rivera, one of Broadway’s show-stopping legends and one of the most Tony Award-nominated performers in history, has died at the age of 91.

Rivera’s death was announced by her daughter, Lisa Mordente, who says she died peacefully after a brief illness. Rivera is known for starring in some of the most beloved Broadway musicals since the 1950s. She became a star when she originated the role of Anita in first production of West Side Story in 1957. Rivera also originated the role of Velma Kelly in Chicago, which opened in 1975 with Gwen Verdon as Roxie Hart.

Rivera is a 10-time Tony nominee with two competitive Tony Award wins (for The Rink and Kiss of the Spider Woman). She also received a Tony lifetime achievement award in 2018 and was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2009. In 2002, she became the first Latina to be given a Kennedy Center Honor.

Few performers have starred in more original Broadway casts of iconic musicals than Rivera. In addition to West Side Story, Chicago, The Rink, and Kiss of the Spider Woman, Rivera was billed above Dick Van Dyke in the original production of Bye Bye Birdie in 1960 and was in the original cast of Guys and Dolls in 1950. She also starred in the Bye Bye Birdie sequel musical, Bring Back Birdie, in 1981. Her other original Broadway cast credits include Can-Can, Seventh Heaven, Mr. Wonderful, Shinbone Alley, Merlin, Jerry’s Girls, and The Visit.

Paula Kelly, Shirley MacLaine, Chita Rivera in 'Sweet Charity' (1969)

(L-R) Paula Kelly, Shirley MacLaine, Chita Rivera in Sweet Charity (Everett Collection)

She received Tony nominations for both of the Birdie musicals, as well as for Chicago, Merlin, Jerry’s Girls, the 2003 Nine revival, the self-titled musical Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, and 2015’s The Visit. Rivera shares the record for the most Tony nominations for an actress with Julie Harris, who died in 2013.

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Known for her spectacular dancing and unique voice, Rivera’s career was mostly dedicated to the stage. But she did star in some films such as the movie adaptation of Sweet Charity (1969) alongside Shirley MacLaine and Paula Kelly. She also made appearances on The Carol Burnett Show, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Will & Grace, and Kalamazoo?. Rivera was featured in the Oscar-winning film adaptation of Chicago (as Nickie) and was one of the big hitters in the stacked list of Broadway-star cameos in the Tick, Tick… Boom! movie’s diner scene in 2021.

Rivera was depicted in FX‘s Emmy-winning limited series Fosse/Verdon, which featured the creation of the Sweet Charity movie and Chicago. Rivera was played by Bianca Marroquin.

Rivera was born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson on January 23, 1933, in Washington D.C. Her father was Puerto Rican musician Pedro Julio Figueroa del Rivero, who died when she was 7 years old. Rivera studied for several years at George Balanchine’s American School of Ballet before making her Broadway debut in Call Me Madam. A near-fatal car accident in the 1980s that crushed her right leg nearly ended Rivera’s performance career, but she danced again, making a triumphant Broadway return in 1993’s Kiss of the Spider Woman, for which she won her second Tony.

See stars and fans pay tribute to Rivera below.

Chita,
There was only you. Then everyone else. I looked up to you and always will admire you as a talent and mostly as a person! A kick butt woman you were. All the rest of us just wanna be you.
RIP CHITA pic.twitter.com/HKZQqEKMit

— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) January 30, 2024

A legend. And the reason @jaimecamil‘s character is named Sgt. Rivera. RIP, Chita. pic.twitter.com/dLcJbMkMOi

— Cinco Paul (@cincopedia) January 30, 2024

This extraordinary woman, the incomparable. Chita Rivera was one of the greatest spirits and colleagues I’ve ever known. She set the bar in every way. I will cherish her always. Dance in heaven, my friend. #ripChitaRivera pic.twitter.com/mvtvTY1mw9

— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) January 30, 2024

A life well lived. An Icon. A friend. Well done Chita Rivera pic.twitter.com/V57zJi7p08

— Colman Domingo (@colmandomingo) January 30, 2024

Chicago, West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, The Rink, Kiss Of The Spider Woman! The First Latina woman to ever be awarded the Kennedy center honors! Chita Rivera you will always be famous pic.twitter.com/7IzBP064Ui

— (@heyjaeee) January 30, 2024

THIS. THIS is what comes to my mind when someone mentions Chita Rivera. A damn legend. in every sense of the word. Thanks for the steal @ZacharyJ pic.twitter.com/ZtjyGfV2Jc

— benji (@sevenbenjisins) January 30, 2024

Chita Rivera was a trailblazer. A true icon, a word thrown around often but one that fits her legacy as a groundbreaking artist, advocate, teacher. I am honored to have met her several times & to have interviewed her twice. She was kind & gave great hugs. Rest well pic.twitter.com/ITwciPaCGn

— Marti (@MartiGCummings) January 30, 2024

We are heartbroken to learn Chita Rivera has passed away at 91. She was the original Velma Kelly and also played Roxie in Toronto, Las Vegas & London. Chita’s influence, warmth, and other-worldly talent will inspire us always. Tonight’s show is for her. pic.twitter.com/K55lO2UOg4

— Chicago The Musical (@ChicagoMusical) January 30, 2024

Rest in Peace, Chita Rivera pic.twitter.com/pTenQnzqNJ

— brittny pierre (@sleep2dream) January 30, 2024

Chita Rivera was an authentic Broadway icon- a dazzling actress, singer and dancer. No one who was fortunate enough to have seen any of her performances, will ever forget ghe experience. She gave us so much. Thank you to the magnificent, irreplaceable Chita Rivera pic.twitter.com/91516oORFv

— Mia Farrow ️‍ (@MiaFarrow) January 30, 2024

Chita Rivera – an enormous loss for the Broadway community. So much of what she did defied normal human capabilities. Watch her perform the absolute hell out of “All That Jazz.” She was electricity personified. pic.twitter.com/dkrpXIL46R

— Liam Gareau (@liamgareau) January 30, 2024

So sad to hear about Chita Rivera’s passing. I shall be performing the Big Spender number from Sweet Charity later in my kitchen. pic.twitter.com/2LeonATxnI

— Taffeta V. (@TaffetaV) January 30, 2024

Chita Rivera had more star quality in her finger than most performers in their whole body. What a legend. RIP pic.twitter.com/Ivjhw6DZIf

— Dan Jinks (@JinksDan) January 30, 2024

RIP Chita Rivera. Legend. Icon. A textbook triple threat if there ever was one. You’ll be remembered for your amazing spirit, and ferocious talent. pic.twitter.com/s1m1EhazDV

— Zacary™️ (@ZacaryWITHnoH) January 30, 2024