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Actor and choreographer Tony Mordente has died aged 88.
The performer – famed for starring as A-Rab within the authentic musical model of West Aspect Story and Jet Motion within the 1961 movie – handed away on Tuesday in Henderson, Nevada, his household confirmed.
He was married to his West Aspect Story co-star Chita Rivera – who performed Anita – from 1957-1966. They shared one daughter, Lisa Mordente, 65. Rivera died in January aged 91.
He mentioned in a 1963 interview: ‘A Jet marrying a Shark. It was fairly a factor.’
He married Jean G. Fraser in 1978. They’re the dad and mom of screenwriter Adriana Mordente.
Mordente is survived by daughters Lisa and Adriana.
West Aspect Story icon Tony Mordente (finish proper) has died aged 88 – he performed Jet Motion within the 1961 movie
The performer – handed away on Tuesday in Henderson, Nevada , his household confirmed – he’s pictured with ex-wife and Anita star Chita Rivera and their daughter Lisa in 2007
Lisa adopted her well-known dad and mom into the world of musical theater – touchdown a finest actress Tony nomination in 1982 for the musical Marlowe.
Mordente additionally labored on Broadway as an actor and assistant choreographer in productions together with Lil’ Abner, Bye Bye Birdie and Ben Franklin in Paris.
The star was born in Brooklyn to a beer truck driver and commenced attending dance college aged 13.
He attended the Excessive College of Performing Arts and gained a scholarship to the American Ballet Theater College.
Mordente was found by choreographer Michael Kidd, who forged him as Lonesome Polecat within the 1956 Broadway musical adaptation of the Al Capp cartoon Li’l Abner – kicking off his musical theater profession.
Rivera died in New York in January following a quick sickness only one week after her 91st birthday.
The Broadway legend had an extended listing of Broadway credit to her identify spanning over seven many years, and was a recipient of the celebrated Kennedy Heart Honor.
Her pal Merle Frimark confirmed the unhappy information of her passing in an announcement on Tuesday.
Tony is pictured with spouse Chita on their marriage ceremony day in 1957
Mordente additionally labored on Broadway as an actor and assistant choreographer in productions together with Lil’ Abner, Bye Bye Birdie and Ben Franklin in Paris – he’s seen rehearsing in 1960 for the movie model of WSS
The pair are pictured with their child daughter Lisa in 1958
Tony and Chita remained famously amicable after their divorce – they’re pictured in 2005
‘It’s with immense private sorrow that I announce the demise of the beloved Broadway icon Chita Rivera. My expensive pal of over 40 years was 91,’ Frimark mentioned.
Chita (born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson) originated a number of plum roles in Broadway musicals together with Anita in West Aspect Story, Velma Kelly in Chicago, and the title position in Kiss of the Spider Lady.
Due to her involvement in such iconic musicals, Rivera ended up with an unimaginable ten Tony Award nominees to her identify, profitable three, together with one for Lifetime Achievement.
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