Many stars paid tribute to Chita Rivera, the showstopping Broadway legend who sadly died at the age of 91. Rivera's daughter announced in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter that Rivera died Tuesday in New York following a brief illness. The two-time Tony Award winner was known as a triple threat and stage icon who originated some of musical theater's most iconic characters.
00:00How lucky can you get, but Odie, Odie, Odie, ain't not that fun.
00:06Many stars pay tribute to Chita Rivera, the show-stopping Broadway legend who sadly died at the age of 91.
00:13Rivera's daughter announced in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter that Rivera died Tuesday in New York following a brief illness.
00:21The two-time Tony Award winner was known as a triple threat and stage icon who originated some of musical theater's most iconic characters.
00:28Rivera originated the role of Anita in West Side Story, which bowed in 1957.
00:33Rivera was also in the original Broadway productions of Bye Bye Birdie, Guys and Dolls, and Chicago, among many others.
00:40Rivera received 10 Tony nominations, the most of any musical performer.
00:44When I sit at my desk on the 41st floor in my copy of a copy of a copy of Dior.
00:52Many paid tribute to the icon, including Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the 1961 movie version of the musical, who said,
01:00She was the essence of Broadway. As I write this, I am raising a glass to this remarkable woman and friend.
01:06Ariana DeBose, who played Anita in the 2021 film version, also paid her respects, saying,
01:11To be in her presence was to behold greatness. I always got the sense that she had great expectations, but none greater than the ones she held herself to.
01:19I am heartbroken and yet ever inspired as she showed so many of us what was possible.
01:24Debbie Allen, who earned a Tony nom for playing Anita in the 1980 Broadway revival, wrote,
01:29My mentor, my friend, our goddess of inspiration and joy. Thank you. Every moment of your life has been a treasure of what is possible.
01:37I will miss touching you, but I will forever hear your laughter and hold that baton of power you toss my way.
01:43And Lin-Manuel Miranda also paid tribute to the star, saying,
01:46The trailblazer for Puerto Rico on Broadway originated Anita, and Rosie, and Velma Kelly, and the Spider Woman,
01:53and so many more iconic Broadway roles because she was an absolute original.
01:57You've got to learn how not to see what you see.
02:02For more tributes to Chita Rivera, head to THR.com.
02:06And for the latest entertainment news and updates, keep watching The Hollywood Reporter News.
Be the first to comment