Is Chita Rivera Jewish? Religion, Ethnicity And Family

May 2024 · 3 minute read

Is Chita Rivera Jewish? It is one of the common questions people ask while talking about the actress, but she is Roman Catholic.

Rivera is an American actress, dancer, and singer widely regarded as one of the most iconic figures in American musical theater history.

She was born on January 23, 1933, in Washington D.C., and began her career as a performer in the early 1950s.

Rivera is best known for her roles in numerous Broadway productions, including “West Side Story,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Chicago,” and “The Rink,” among others.

In addition to her stage work, she has appeared in several films and television shows, including the “Sweet Charity” film adaptation and the TV series “Will & Grace.”

Despite being in her 90s, Rivera continues to perform and has been recognized as an inspiration to many in the entertainment industry.

Additionally, she has been involved in various benefit concerts and performances to raise funds for causes such as Hurricane Katrina relief and the fight against breast cancer.

She continues to use her performing platform to raise awareness about vital problems and to assist philanthropic causes.

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Is Chita Rivera Jewish?

No, Chita Rivera is not Jewish. The American actress is a devout Roman Catholic. She married Tony Mordente, a fellow dancer from West Side Story, in 1957.

The success of her performance in the show was so vital that the London production of West Side Story was delayed until she gave birth to their daughter Lisa in 1958.

Rivera and Mordente later divorced in 1966. Despite her busy career in the entertainment industry, Rivera has maintained her religious beliefs and practices.

Rivera has won many prestigious awards throughout her career, including two Tony Awards for Best Leading Actress in a Musical and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

She is renowned for her humanitarian activities & has supported numerous nonprofits, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

It raises funds for those affected by HIV/AIDS and the Actors Fund, which assists those in the performing arts and entertainment industry.

In 2001, Rivera was honored with the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, and she used the opportunity to encourage support for the National Dance Institute (NDI).

The NDI is a non-profit organization that provides dance education to children, particularly in underserved communities.

Rivera has also been an advocate for the preservation of the arts and arts education.

She has served on the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities and has been a spokesperson for the Kennedy Center’s Arts in Education program.

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Chita Rivera: Religion, Ethnicity, And Family

Chita Rivera was born on January 23, 1933, in Washington, D.C., to a Puerto Rican father and a Scottish-Italian mother.

She was raised Catholic and has spoken about the influence of her faith on her life and career.

Rivera’s father, Pedro Julio Figueroa Rivera, was a government clerk and musician, and her mother, Katherine Anderson, was a teacher.

Rivera had three brothers, including the late musician and conductor Armando Anthony Corea, better known by his stage name, Chick Corea.

Growing up, Rivera faced discrimination due to her mixed ethnicity, and she has been a vocal advocate for diversity and representation in the arts.

Despite her challenges, Rivera’s upbringing instilled in her a strong work ethic and a passion, ultimately leading to her successful career as an actress and singer.

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