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George Chakiris (born September 16, 1932) is an American actor and dancer. He is best known for his appearance in the 1961 film version of West Side Story as Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks gang, for which he won both the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture .
Dec 9, 2021 · George Chakiris won an Academy Award in 1962 for this role as the gang leader Bernardo in Robert Wise's big screen adaptation of the hit musical 'West Side Story.'
- Richard Beymer (Tony) After his role in West Side Story, Richard played Nick Adams in Adventures of a Young Man and also had a significant role in the film The Longest Day.
- Natalie Wood (Maria) Following her role as Maria, Natalie went on to star in the 1962 film Gypsy, as well as Splendor in the Grass, Love with the Proper Stranger and Inside Daisy Clover.
- George Chakiris (Bernardo) After West Side Story, Chakiris played the lead in Two and Two Make Six and also had roles in Diamond Head, Kings of the Sun, Bebo's Girl and 633 Squadron.
- Russ Tamblyn (Riff) Throughout his teens, Tamblyn appeared in several films and worked as a choreographer. In 1990, he played Dr. Lawrence Jacoby in the television drama Twin Peaks alongside his West Side Story co-star Richard Beymer, which he reprised during its 2017 revival.
- Natalie Wood as Maria. Wood played the lead female character of Maria in 1961's West Side Story. Maria is compared to Shakespeare's Juliet who falls in love with Tony's Romeo.
- Richard Beymer as Tony. Beymer played Tony, the male lead in 1961's West Side Story, who falls in love with Maria after their first encounter. Prior to the musical film, he appeared in 1959's The Diary of Anne Frank.
- Russ Tamblyn as Riff. Tamblyn played the snappy, tough guy and Jet leader Riff in 1961's West Side Story. This role wasn't what he intended to play when he first auditioned.
- Rita Moreno as Anita. Moreno played the unforgettable, Oscar-winning role of Anita, Maria's best friend, in 1961's West Side Story. She has had an impressive career and even plays a part in Spielberg's film (although she did not revive her role).
George Chakiris made his film debut at the age of 12 singing in the chorus of Song of Love (1947). Following his graduation from high school, he supported his night-time dancing, singing and dramatic lessons with a daytime job clerking in a Los Angeles department store.
- Actor, Additional Crew, Soundtrack
- September 16, 1932
George Chakiris, who won an Oscar for playing Bernardo, shares casting stories and memories of the classic film, and gives his take on its biggest controversies over the years.
Apr 9, 2021 · Sixty years after West Side Story became a smash hit at the box office, Rita Moreno, 89, and George Chakiris, 86, have vivid memories of their time on set and how it led to their historic...
