Rita Morenoturns 88 today, and hasn’t slowed down a bit when it comes to speaking her mind and inspiring other performers to go after their dreams — regardless of their backgrounds.
As the first Latina to land an EGOT — winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony — Moreno has paved a path for artists around the world. As she celebrates her birthday today,#SeeHerStoryhas chosen to look back at the profound life of the actress.
The goal of#SeeHer Story, adigital video series from Katie Couric Media and PEOPLE, is to recognize female trailblazers throughout the past 100 years and celebrate how they’ve helped to shape history and culture.
GAB Archive/Redferns
Moreno — real name Rosa Dolores Alverío — was born in Puerto Rico in 1931 and moved to New York City with her mother at five years old. Her passion for singing and dancing picked up quicky around age 10, and soon after she began landing roles on stage and on screen.
“I became the house ethnic. And that meant I had to play anything that was not American,” she shared in the clip.
Silver Screen Collection/Getty
Her breakout performance came along in 1962 when she was cast as Anita inWest Side Story. Her performance scored her an Oscar, a first for Moreno and for the Latina community.
Joan Adlen/Getty
While she hoped her award-winning performance would land her more of the roles she wanted, she continued to be met with frustration.
“I couldn’t get a job to save my life. There were a few offers, but the offers that were offered were minor movies with gangs. I just couldn’t believe it,” Moreno said in the video.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty
As just one of 15 performers with the coveted title, Moreno made major strides in the Latina community.
Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty
While presenting Moreno with one of her many awards,Jennifer Lopezshared how much she admired the actress as a Latina child growing up.
“Watching this beautiful strong Puerto Rican woman command the screen with her talent at a time when Latina women did not have every door in this industry open to them made me feel as a little girl watching in her living room in the Bronx that anything was possible,” she shared.
Paul Morigi/WireImage
source: people.com
