Episode 56 – Center Stage With Legendary "West Side Story" Star & Oscar Winner George Chakiris - Part 2
During the second part of Tony’s fascinating conversation with actor, dancer, singer and author George Chakiris, they discuss his move from Hollywood to New York to find work on Broadway, how he was cast in the role of Riff, leader of the Jets, after auditioning for Jerome Robbins for the London production of “West Side Story”– which he worked on for two years before winning the role of Bernardo for the film version directed by Robert Wise, his memories of filming the multi-award winning movie classic "West Side Story" with Rita Moreno, Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, and Russ Tamblyn, fun behind-the-scenes stories of filming “The Prologue” on the streets of NYC and legendary musical numbers like “America “and the gym dance sequence at the Samuel Goldwyn Studios in West Hollywood, as well as what it was like winning the Academy Award of his role in the film and his post Oscar-win interaction with movie star Joan Crawford!
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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