Stars Of The Original 1961 West Side Story Where Are They Now? Where Are The Stars Of The Original 1961 West Side Story Cast Now?
Updated Dec 15, 2021
West Side Story 1961
West Side Story is a famous American romantic drama film released on October 18, 1961. Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins directed it. This film is a 1957 Broadway musical adaptation of the same name, inspired by Romeo and Juliet, a Shakespeare's play. People are interested to know about the stars of the original 1961 west side story where are they now.
Where Are The Stars Of The Original 1961 West Side Story Cast Now?
Here is the cast of west side story 1961
S. No |
Actor |
Character |
1 |
Natalie Wood |
Maria |
2 |
Russ Tamblyn |
Riff |
3 |
Richard Beymer |
Tony |
4 |
Rita Moreno |
Anita |
5 |
George Chakiris |
Bernardo |
6 |
Simon Oakland |
Police Lieutenant Schrank |
7 |
Ned Glass |
Doc |
8 |
William Bramley |
Police Sergeant Krupke |
9 |
Tucker Smith |
Riff |
10 |
Jose De Vega |
Chino Martin |
11 |
Marni Nixon |
Maria's singing voice |
12 |
Jimmy Bryant |
Tony's singing voice |
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Stars of The Original 1961 West Side Story Where Are They Now
Natalie Wood
Image Source: Twitter
Natalie Wood played Maria in West Side Story. Maria is Bernardo's younger sister and Chino's arranged fiancée, who fell in love with Tony. In these years, her casting came under more scrutiny, as she was a Caucasian actress playing the Puerto Rican character of Maria. She died on November 29, 1981.
Richard Beymer
Image Source: IMDb
Richard Beymer played Tony, who is the co-founder and member of the Jets and best friend of Riff. In recent years, Richard has shifted his attention to making films and directing many documentaries such as It's a Beautiful World (2014), The Passing of a Saint (2010), and Behind the Red Curtain (2017).
Rita Moreno
Image Source: Twitter
Rita Moreno played Anita in West Side Story. She shows up in the 2021 film as Valentina, a reimagining of Doc and who owned the bodega where Tony worked. Rita said about her challenging experience of creating the original film. In an interview two years ago, she said that to play Anita, her skin was darkened, and producers were not listening when she attempted to protest.
Russ Tamblyn
Image Source: MUBI
Tamblyn played Riff in West Side Story in 1961. In recent years, he has shown up in the movies like Drive and Django Unchained and in an episode of "The Haunting of Hill House". Tamblyn's daughter Amber Tamblyn followed in his footsteps and is an actor.
George Chakiris
Image Source: Twitter
George Chakiris played Bernardo in West Side Story in 1961. Bernardo was a leader of the Sharks and an elder brother of Maria and Anita's boyfriend. George continued working on stage after the movie. He was part of the 1st national tour of Stephen Sondheim's Company in 1971. He is now almost retired from acting and has taken up making silver jewelry.
Tucker Smith
Image Source: Twitter
Tucker Smith played as Riff's singing voice for "Jet Song". Smith was a famous singer, actor, dancer. But unfortunately, in 1988, Smith died of cancer at the age of 52. He will be remembered for his role forever.
Jose De Vega
Image Source: Eonline.com
Jose De Vega played Chino Martin, who is Bernardo's best friend, who is the arranged fiancé of Maria. Unfortunately, Jose died in 1990 when he was 56. He was credited by the LA Times for his long work to stamp out stereotypes in Hollywood.
Simon Oakland
Image Source: Twitter
Simon Oakland played Police Lieutenant Schrank, who is a hard-boiled plainclothes detective. Simon's other unique projects are 1969's Bullitt and TV shows TThe Twilight Zone and Perry Mason and The Rockford Files. The talented Simon Oakland died in 1983 when he was 68.
Ned Glass
Image Source: Twitter
Ned Glass played Doc, who is Tony's boss. Ned has appeared in many films and TV shows, which includes the 1982 police procedural Cagney & Lacey and 1963's Charade. Ned Glass died at the age of 78 in 1984. In the remake of West Side Story 2021, Doc's character was reimagined as Rita Moreno's Valentina.
William Bramley
Image Source: Aveleyman
Bramley played Sergeant Krupke in West Side Story in 1961. Though a small character, he was made memorable as a figure in the song "Gee, Officer Krupke". Bramley appeared in many TV shows like Bewitched, Star Trek, and Lassie and Bonanza. He died at the age of 57 in 1985.
Stars of The Original 1961 West Side Story Where Are They Now - FAQ
S. No |
Actor |
Character |
1 |
Natalie Wood |
Maria |
2 |
Russ Tamblyn |
Riff |
3 |
Richard Beymer |
Tony |
4 |
Rita Moreno |
Anita |
5 |
George Chakiris |
Bernardo |
6 |
Simon Oakland |
Police Lieutenant Schrank |
7 |
Ned Glass |
Doc |
8 |
William Bramley |
Police Sergeant Krupke |
9 |
Tucker Smith |
Riff |
10 |
Jose De Vega |
Chino Martin |
11 |
Marni Nixon |
Maria's singing voice |
12 |
Jimmy Bryant |
Tony's singing voice |
Natalie Wood played Maria in West Side Story. Maria is Bernardo's younger sister and Chino's arranged fiancée, who fell in love with Tony. In these years, her casting came under more scrutiny, as she was a Caucasian actress playing the Puerto Rican character of Maria. Steven Spielberg said of casting Latinx performers for the Puerto Rican roles in his 2021 remake.
Richard Beymer played Tony, who is the co-founder and member of the Jets and best friend of Riff. In recent years, Richard has shifted his attention to making films and directing many documentaries such as It's a Beautiful World (2014), The Passing of a Saint (2010), and Behind the Red Curtain (2017).
Rita Moreno played Anita in West Side Story. She shows up in the 2021 film as Valentina, a reimagining of Doc and who owned the bodega where Tony worked. Rita said about her challenging experience of creating the original film. In an interview two years ago, she said that to play Anita, her skin was darkened, and producers were not listening when she attempted to protest.
George Chakiris played Bernardo in West Side Story in 1961. Bernardo was a leader of the Sharks and an elder brother of Maria and Anita's boyfriend. George continued working on stage after the movie. He was part of the 1st national tour of Stephen Sondheim's Company in 1971. He is now almost retired from acting and has taken up making silver jewelry.
Simon Oakland played Police Lieutenant Schrank, who is a hard-boiled plainclothes detective. Simon's other unique projects are 1969's Bullitt and TV shows TThe Twilight Zone and Perry Mason and The Rockford Files. The talented Simon Oakland died in 1983 when he was 68.
Jose De Vega played Chino Martin, who is Bernardo's best friend, who is the arranged fiancé of Maria. Unfortunately, Jose died in 1990 when he was 56. He was credited by the LA Times for his long work to stamp out stereotypes in Hollywood.
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