Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno (born Rosa Dolores Alverio Marcano, 1931) is a Puerto Rican actress, singer, and dancer who is one of only 19 people to have won all four major American entertainment awards — the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT). Born in Humacao, Puerto Rico, she moved to New York City at age five.

Moreno won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in 'West Side Story' (1961) — ironically, a film that both showcased Puerto Rican culture and perpetuated stereotypes about Puerto Rican communities in New York. She has spoken extensively about the racism and typecasting she faced in Hollywood, where she was repeatedly cast as 'ethnic' characters regardless of actual ethnicity.

Her career spans over 70 years, including groundbreaking work on 'The Electric Company' (1971-1977), 'Oz' (1997-2003), and the 2021 remake of 'West Side Story' produced by Steven Spielberg. In 2004, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Moreno's significance extends beyond entertainment: she has been a vocal advocate for Latino representation, speaking openly about the discrimination she faced as a Puerto Rican woman in American entertainment. Her persistence in an industry hostile to Latinas paved the way for generations of Puerto Rican and Latino performers.