June 30 2013
From West Side Story to National Medal of Arts, Rita Moreno is a shining star
At just 81 years young, Rita Moreno remains one of the busiest stars in show business. She just penned her first book, Rita Moreno: A Memoir, starred in the premier of “Life Without Make-Up,” an original play about her life, and appears regularly as Fran Drescher’s mother in TVLand’s “Happily Divorced.”
In addition, Ms. Moreno frequently travels for concerts and lectures. Such creative diversity has been the hallmark of Ms. Moreno’s nearly 70-year career.
She belongs to an elite group of only eight living performers who have won entertainment’s grand slam of the industry’s most prestigious awards: The Oscar, The Emmy, The Tony, and The Grammy.
- Her Oscar win came in 1962 as Latina spitfire Anita in the film version of “West Side Story,” for which she also won The Golden Globe.
- The Tony was for her 1975 comedic triumph as Googie Gomez in Broadway’s “The Ritz.”
- The Grammy was for her 1972 performance on The Electric Company Album, based on the long-running children’s television series.
- She won not one, but two Emmys—the first for a 1977 variety appearance on “The Muppet Show” and the following year for a dramatic turn on “The Rockford Files.”
Needless to say, it was an incredible pleasure to interview this Hollywood celebrity who was a keynote speaker at the 2013 Professional BusinessWomen of California Conference.
In our 30-minute podcast interview:
- We discussed her current impressive appearances on the stage and TV screen.
- Her book, and how it helped her vanquish some childhood demons — including forgiving her mother.
- Her daughter and grandchildren, who she says are the lights in her life.
- Her relationship with Natalie Wood and the crew of West Side Story.
- How she broke down cultural barriers and biases against Hispanics in show business.
- What she thinks about Sheryl Sandberg’s powerful ideas on women leaning in.
- And much, much more!
Don’t wait a single minute!
- Download our podcast interview, at right!
- Click here to read our Q&A with Rita Moreno.
