Jan. 23: Rita Moreno

Photo: Mark Hill

An unstoppable presence on stage and screen for over 70 years, Rita Moreno has won all four of the most prestigious awards in show business: the Oscar, the Tony, two Emmys, and a Grammy. The actress was the first Hispanic woman to win an Academy Award, which she earned for her epic portrayal of Anita in West Side Story. Moreno has starred on Broadway and the West End and appeared in more than 40 feature films as well as countless television shows.

At 83, Moreno is as vibrant as ever. She earned critical praise for her solo show, Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup in 2011. This fall, she released her first all Spanish language album, Una Vez Más, produced by Emilio Estefan, which debuted at #13 on Billboard’s Latino Pop chart, and her new animated children’s series, Nina’s World, premiered on NBC-TVs Sprout Network. Her five-decade streak of awards and achievements culminates in December when she will be recognized with a Kennedy Center Honor.