Actor and choreographer Tony Mordente died at the age of 88.
The performer, famous for playing A-Rab in the original musical version of West Side Story and Jet Action in the 1961 film, died Tuesday in Henderson, Nevada, his family confirmed.
He was married to his West Side Story co-star Chita Rivera, who played Anita, from 1957 to 1966. They shared a daughter, Lisa Mordente, 65. Rivera died in January at age 91.
In a 1963 interview he said: “A Jet marries a shark.” It was quite an event.
He married Jean G. Fraser in 1978. They are the parents of screenwriter Adriana Mordente.
Mordente is survived by his daughters Lisa and Adriana.
West Side Story icon Tony Mordente (far right) has died at age 88; he played Jet Action in the 1961 film.
The artist, who died Tuesday in Henderson, Nevada, his family confirmed, is photographed with his ex-wife and Anita star, Chita Rivera, and their daughter Lisa in 2007.
Lisa followed her famous parents into the world of musical theater and earned a Tony nomination for best actress in 1982 for the musical Marlowe.
Mordente also worked on Broadway as an actor and assistant choreographer in productions such as Lil’ Abner, Bye Bye Birdie and Ben Franklin in Paris.
Rivera died in New York on Tuesday after a brief illness just a week after his 91st birthday.
The Broadway legend had a long list of Broadway credits to his name spanning more than seven decades and was awarded the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor.
Her friend Merle Frimark confirmed the sad news of her passing in a statement on Tuesday.
‘It is with immense personal pain that I announce the death of beloved Broadway icon Chita Rivera. My dear friend of over 40 years was 91 years old,” Frimark said.
Chita (born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson) originated several major roles in Broadway musicals, including Anita in West Side Story, Velma Kelly in Chicago, and the title role in Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Thanks to his participation in such iconic musicals, Rivera ended up with an incredible ten Tony Award nominations to his name, winning three, including one for Lifetime Achievement.
Tony is pictured with his wife Chita on their wedding day in 1957.
Mordente also worked on Broadway as an actor and assistant choreographer in productions such as Lil’ Abner, Bye Bye Birdie and Ben Franklin in Paris; He is seen rehearsing in 1960 for the film version of WSS.
The couple is photographed with their daughter Lisa in 1958.
Tony and Chita remained very friendly after their divorce; They appear in the 2005 photo.
