Chita Rivera, Tony-Winning Broadway Star, Dead at 91 | THR News Video
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.
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00:00 "How lucky can you get, but odie odie odie ain't not happen."
00:06 Many stars paid tribute to Chita Rivera, the show-stopping Broadway legend who sadly died
00:11 at the age of 91. Rivera's daughter announced in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter
00:17 that Rivera died Tuesday in New York following a brief illness. The two-time Tony Award winner
00:22 was known as a triple threat and stage icon who originated some of musical theater's most iconic
00:28 characters. Rivera originated the role of Anita in West Side Story, which bowed in 1957. Rivera was
00:34 also in the original Broadway productions of Bye Bye Birdie, Guys and Dolls, and Chicago,
00:39 among many others. Rivera received 10 Tony nominations, the most of any musical performer.
00:44 "When I sit at my desk on the 41st floor in my copy of a copy of a copy of Dior."
00:52 Many paid tribute to the icon, including Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the 1961 movie version
00:58 of the musical, who said, "She was the essence of Broadway. As I write this, I am raising a glass
01:03 to this remarkable woman and friend." Ariana DeBose, who played Anita in the 2021 film version,
01:09 also paid her respects, saying, "To be in her presence was to behold greatness.
01:14 I always got the sense that she had great expectations, but none greater than the ones
01:18 she held herself to. I am heartbroken and yet ever inspired as she showed so many of us what
01:23 was possible." Debbie Allen, who earned a Tony nom for playing Anita in the 1980 Broadway revival,
01:29 wrote, "My mentor, my friend, our goddess of inspiration and joy. Thank you. Every moment
01:34 of your life has been a treasure of what is possible. I will miss touching you, but I will
01:38 forever hear your laughter and hold that baton of power you toss my way." And Lin-Manuel Miranda
01:44 also paid tribute to the star, saying, "The trailblazer for Puerto Rico on Broadway originated
01:49 Anita and Rosie and Velma Kelly and the Spider Woman and so many more iconic Broadway roles
01:56 because she was an absolute original." For more tributes to Chita Rivera, head to THR.com.
02:06 And for the latest entertainment news and updates, keep watching The Hollywood Reporter News.