Episode 55 - Center Stage With Legendary "West Side Story" Star & Oscar Winner George Chakiris - Part 1
On this episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros speaks with legendary actor, dancer, singer, and author GEORGE CHAKIRIS who is best known for winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing the role of Bernardo in the 1961 film version of WEST SIDE STORY!
During their fascinating two-part conversation George tells host Tony Miros about writing his memoir “My West Side Story” with co-author Lindsay Harrison, making his film debut at the age of 15 in the chorus of the MGM film “Song of Love” (1947) starring Katharine Hepburn, what it was like working with some of the biggest stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood including Marilyn Monroe in the number “Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend” for the film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953), the wedding dance number in the film “Brigadoon” (1954) with Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly, “Heat Wave” & “A Sailor’s Not a Sailor (til a Sailor’s Been Tattooed)” in “There's No Business Like Show Business” (1954) with Mitzi Gaynor and “Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me” with Rosemary Clooney in “White Christmas” (1954) – which got him signed to a 7-year contract at Paramount Studios - and lots of other fun behind-the-scenes stories from his years working as an actor/singer/dancer in Hollywood prior to his Oscar-winning performance in “West Side Story”.
GEORGE CHAKIRIS
Academy Award winner George Chakiris is a triple threat who has established an international career on the big screen and in theatre. The son of Greek immigrants, this actor, dancer, and singer is recognized for his credits in nearly two dozen films, several acclaimed mini-series in Europe and Japan, BBC performances, and concert tours in Las Vegas and around the world.
In 1947, he made his film debut in the chorus of the MGM motion picture “Song of Love”. Later he was one of the dancers in Marilyn Monroe's “Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend” number in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" released in 1953. He again appeared as a dancer alongside Rosemary Clooney in “White Christmas” in “Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me.”
In 1958 he traveled to New York hoping for a Broadway "break." Hearing that Jerome Robbins was casting the London company of "West Side Story", he auditioned and was awarded the co-starring role of Riff. He played the part for almost two years on the West End stage before acting, singing, and dancing as Bernardo in the Robert Wise film version (West Side Story (1961)), a performance that earned him a Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Since then, he starred in a succession of films, including “Diamond Head” (1962) with Charlton Heston, “The Young Girls of Rochefort” (1967) with Catherine Deneuve and Gene Kelly, and “The Big Cube” (1969) with Lana Turner,
In the 1970s & 1980s, his career focused on television and music. He appeared as a guest star in several TV series such as “Hawaii Five-O”, “Wonder Woman”, “CHiPs”, “Scarecrow and Mrs. King”, “Murder, She Wrote”, and he joined the cast of “Dallas” from 1985 to 1986.
His hobby of making sterling silver jewelry turned into a new occupation, working as a jewelry designer for his brand, George Chakiris Collections, consisting of handmade original sterling silver jewelry.
In 2011, his hand and footprints were placed in the famous forecourt of the Chinese Theater in Hollywood, along with his West Side Story co-stars Rita Moreno and Russ Tamblyn.
In December 2021, his memoir “My West Side Story, co-written with Lindsay Harrison, was published by Lyon Press and can be purchased online and bookstores nationwide.
George Chakiris website - https://www.georgechakiris.com
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George Chakiris
Actor / Dancer / Singer / Author
Academy Award winner George Chakiris is a triple threat who has established an international career on the big screen and in theatre. The son of Greek immigrants, this actor, dancer, and singer is recognized for his credits in nearly two dozen films, several acclaimed mini-series in Europe and Japan, BBC performances, and concert tours in Las Vegas and around the world. He earned an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award for his dynamic role as Bernardo in the film classic, West Side Story.
Born in Norwood, Ohio. He is the son of Steven and Zoe Chakiris who were immigrants from Greece. In 1947, he made his film debut in the chorus of the MGM motion picture “Song of Love”. Later he appeared in several small roles, usually as a dancer or a member of the chorus in various musical films. He was one of the dancers in Marilyn Monroe's “Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend” number in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes released in 1953. He again appeared as a dancer alongside Rosemary Clooney in “White Christmas” in “Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me.”
In 1958 he traveled to New York hoping for a Broadway "break." Hearing that Jerome Robbins was casting the London company of "West Side Story", he auditioned and was awarded the co-starring role of Riff. He played the part for almost two years on the West End stage before acting, singing, and dancing as Bernardo in the Robert Wise film version (West Side Story (1961)), a performance that earned him a Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Since then, he starred in a su… Read More
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