Rita Moreno
Actress
About This Interview
Rita Moreno was interviewed for three hours plus in San Francisco, CA. During her interview, Ms. Moreno talked about spending her early childhood in Puerto Rico before coming to the United States at the age of five. Ms. Moreno chronicled her early stage, film and radio work , all done before her television debut in 1952. Ms. Moreno spoke about her work on G.E. Theatre, Fireside Theatre, Climax, Matinee Theatre, Playhouse 90 and other live programs. She also spoke freely about her encounters with racism. Even after her many successes in theatre and film, including an Oscar win for West Side Story , she continued working in television as a guest star on many programs. In 1971, she began a five-year run as a regular on The Electric Company , a PBS children's program. She has continued working, most recently having been a regular on HBO's drama series Oz . The interview was conducted by Marla Miller on June 22, 2000
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Highlights
Rita Moreno on her Emmy-winning guest appearances as "Rita Capkovic" on The Rockford Files
Clip begins at: 02:54, Duration: 02m 06s
Rita Moreno on the stereotypical roles she played in filmed TV in the 1950s
Clip begins at: 16:17, Duration: 00m 59s
Rita Moreno on joining the cast of The Electric Company
Clip begins at: 15:04, Duration: 01m 51s
Rita Moreno on her attempts to create an accent for the Native American roles she played in 1950s television
Clip begins at: 28:04, Duration: 01m 33s
Rita Moreno on co-starring in Oz and the freedom of working on a cable series
Clip begins at: 00:03, Duration: 02m 17s
Interview
- Part 1
- On her early years and influences; on the beginning of her stage career; on the typecasting she experienced as a Latina actress; on her first work in television
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 2
- On some of her live and filmed television work; on the stereotypical roles she played in filmed TV in the 1950s; on appearing in shows including Fireside Theatre and Broken Arrow
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 3
- On her film work including Singing in the Rain, The King and I, and West Side Story;
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On working in 1960s television
Clip begins at: 20:37 - Part 4
- On working in television vs. film; on sketch comedy
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On joining the cast of The Electric Company and the diversity of the cast; on starring in the pilot On the Rocks
Clip begins at: 15:04 - Part 5
- On her many guest roles in series (including The Rockford Files, The Golden Girls, and Murphy Borwn) during the 1970s and 1980s; on co-starring in Nine to Five; on her then-current work on Oz
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Part 6
- On how her accomplishments are perceived by the Latino community; on her legacy
Clip begins at: 0:0


Rita Moreno....Un Monumento de mujer..Puerto Rican Royalty...I enjoyed this interview and I hope to see her in many many more projects. Que Dios te bendiga siempre.
She's so classy. You don't see a lot of actors today being that way.
Damn good Genes
and..
Fine as hell
I'm glad Rita corrected her about her not being born in America. I can't believe the interviewer didn't know that Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, a U.S. territory, which makes them Americans. Anyway, Rita does have class and style and a great actress to boot.
love her!
I loved her in "OZ"!
Wow, she still looks great!
@JamaicanCutie18 Also, when you attend the schools in the US, people tend to pick-up the accents there and they lose their native accents.
That's the case with many people. I grew up in Miami and there are many Jamaicans, Cubans, etc.... who lost their accents.
Less of the old, baby! This is one vibrant young lady!
you rock Rite Moreno & I love u big fan
@JamaicanCutie18 That's because she came to the states (New York) when she was only 5 years old.
im suprised she doesnt have an accent
I think she is so terrific! Down to earth, humble, and funny. She is class personified.
I will never forget her in West Side Story. Some of today's stars should be required to sit down and listen to this lady. Still a looker in her sixties.
You got it! La Leyenda! Pionera! ... I´ve seen this interview 3 times and Rita you are just the best. Thank you for giving all Latinos so much joy, courage and enthusiasm. QUE VIVA RITA MORENO!
I like the way the interviewer starts laughing when Rita talks about her character hanging herself.
did they just miss her being on the muppet show ?
Geez, she is so wise and well spoken! What and icon!
Iam proud of her.... viva Rita on of the three Puertorricans to win the Oscar..
What a mind! I could listen to her for hours. And such a sense of humor.
@jellybean8811 She mentions him in part 3
Ahhh, the smooth voice behind Carmen Sandiego.
She's a true classic and professional.
wow
This woman is got more class that all the present hispanics put together. Still beautiful and full of candor and very sexy too. FOREVER ANITA OF WEST SIDE
@GarfieldGoose It's amazing how so many people don't know that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, making Puerto Ricans American citizens, not foreigners. Go figure. LOL!
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