George Chakiris

George Chakiris

Born September 16, 1932 (Age: 93) Norwood, Ohio, USA

Biography

George Chakiris (born September 16, 1932) is an American dancer, singer and actor. He is best known for his role as Bernardo in the 1961 film version of West Side Story, which earned him an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Prior to West Side Story, Chakiris appeared uncredited in many musicals such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), White Christmas (1954), and Brigadoon (1954) as a dancer or chorus member. After West Side Story, he had starring roles in several lesser-known critical and commercial failures such as Diamond Head (1962), Kings of the Sun (1963), and The High Bright Sun (1965). On stage, his most notable role was as Bobby in the first national tour of Stephen Sondheim's Company. He had guest roles in many television series throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including appearances on Dallas, Superboy, and the series finale of The Patridge Family. Chakiris emerged from retirement to act in the film Not to Forget (2021), which aims to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease.
George Chakiris (born September 16, 1932) is an American dancer, singer and actor. He is best known for his role as Bernardo in the 1961 film version of West Side Story, which earned him an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Prior to West Side Story, Chakiris appeared uncredited in many musicals such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), White Christmas (1954), and Brigadoon (1954) as a dancer or chorus member. After West Side Story, he had starring roles in several lesser-known critical and commercial failures such as Diamond Head (1962), Kings of the Sun (1963), and The High Bright Sun (1965). On stage, his most notable role was as Bobby in the first national tour of Stephen Sondheim's Company. He had guest roles in many television series throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including appearances on Dallas, Superboy, and the series finale of The Patridge Family. Chakiris emerged from retirement to act in the film Not to Forget (2021), which aims to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease.
Read more

Filmography

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It

2021 as Self Age: 88
Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1960's

Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1960's

2009 as (archive footage) Age: 76
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories

AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories

2002 as Self Age: 69
The Young Girls Turn 25

The Young Girls Turn 25

1993 as Self (archive footage) Age: 60
Pale Blood

Pale Blood

1990 as Michael Fury Age: 58
That's Dancing!

That's Dancing!

1985 as Bernardo Age: 52
Return to Fantasy Island

Return to Fantasy Island

1978 as Pierre Age: 45
Kiss Me and Die

Kiss Me and Die

1974 as Robert Stone Age: 41
Sharon in Scarlet

Sharon in Scarlet

1969 as Robert Bowman Age: 36
The Big Cube

The Big Cube

1969 as Johnny Allen Age: 36
Behind the screens : Les demoiselles de Rochefort

Behind the screens : Les demoiselles de Rochefort

1966 as Self Age: 33
The High Bright Sun

The High Bright Sun

1964 as Haghios Age: 32
633 Squadron

633 Squadron

1964 as Lieutenant Erik Bergman Age: 31
Flight from Ashiya

Flight from Ashiya

1964 as 2nd Lt. John Gregg Age: 31
Bebo's Girl

Bebo's Girl

1964 as Bube Age: 31
Kings of the Sun

Kings of the Sun

1963 as Balam Age: 31
Diamond Head

Diamond Head

1962 as Dr. Dean Kahana Age: 30
Two and Two Make Six

Two and Two Make Six

1962 as Larry Curado Age: 29
West Side Story

West Side Story

1961 as Bernardo Age: 29
Flower Drum Song

Flower Drum Song

1961 as Dancer (song "Chop Suey") (uncredited) Age: 29
Meet Me in Las Vegas

Meet Me in Las Vegas

1956 as Young Groom Age: 23
The Girl Rush

The Girl Rush

1955 as Dancer Age: 23
There's No Business Like Show Business

There's No Business Like Show Business

1954 as Dancer (uncredited) Age: 22
The Country Girl

The Country Girl

1954 as Dancer in Play (uncredited) Age: 22
White Christmas

White Christmas

1954 as Dancer (uncredited) Age: 22
Brigadoon

Brigadoon

1954 as Specialty Dancer (uncredited) Age: 21
Give a Girl a Break

Give a Girl a Break

1953 as Dancer Age: 21
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

1953 as Chorus Boy (uncredited) Age: 20
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.

The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.

1953 as Dancer Age: 20
Call Me Madam

Call Me Madam

1953 as Dancer in The Ocarina Number (uncredited) Age: 20