- Originated two roles on Broadway which would later win Oscars for the actresses playing them in the film versions: Rita Moreno in West Side Story (1961) and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Chicago (2002).
- Was the first ever Latin-American to receive the Kennedy Honors Award.
- Achieved her first fame on Broadway in 1957, portraying Anita in West Side Story.
- Daughter of the late Puerto Rican musician Pedro del Rivero, and his wife, Katherine.
- Mother of actress Lisa Mordente.
- Played "Rosie" in the original Broadway production of "Bye Bye Birdie" (early 1960s), opposite Dick Van Dyke ("Albert"), in a cast which also included Paul Lynde, Michael J. Pollard, and Dick Gautier.
- Chita Rivera is the 2002 John F. Kennedy Center Honors recipient.
- Has won two Tony Awards as Best Actress (Musical): in 1984 for "The Rink," and in 1993 for "Kiss of the Spider Woman--The Musical." And she has earned six additional nominations: one as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) in 1961 for "Bye, Bye Birdie;" four additional Best Actress (Musical) entries, in 1976 for "Chicago," in 1981 for "Bring Back Birdie," in 1983 for "Merlin," and in 1986 for "Jerry's Girls;" and one as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) in 2003 for "Nine The Musical!" This is a total of eight nominations, making her the second most nominated actress in Tony history (after Julie Harris, who has ten).
- She is a lifelong Democrat.
- Her father was Puerto Rican, and her mother was of mostly Scottish extraction.
- One of her more unusual dancing partners was children's TV stalwart Dancing Bear (Cosmo Allegretti) on Captain Kangaroo (1955).
- She was nominated for a 2002 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Principal Role in a Musical for "The Visit" at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
- She was awarded the 1996 Drama Logue Award for Performance for "The Kiss of the Spider Woman" at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
- Played a character called "Nickie" in both Chicago (2002) and Sweet Charity (1969).
- Appearing nightly in her one woman cabaret show at Feinstein's at The Regency Hotel in New York City from February 22-March 12, 2005. (February 2005)
- Currently in her own show on Broadway called Chita Rivera: The Dancers Life (December 2005)
- Chita: A Legendary Celebration
For one night only, Chita Rivera - a theatrical icon and one of Broadway's greatest triple-threat talents - will offer a star-studded event in honor of her 80th birthday (January 2013) - Performed the role of "Claire Zachanassian" in John Kander & Fred Ebb's "The Visit" at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia (2008).
- Kicked off her Tour of "Cita Rivera: The Dancers Life" in Cincinnati, Ohio (December 2006)
- Has two brothers Julio and Armando; along with two sisters, Lola and Carmen.
- Both she and Charles Osgood were born in January 1933 and died in January 2024. Specifically, he died on the 23rd, her last birthday.
- As a young dancer, she idolized ballerina Maria Tallchief.
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