Catherine Zeta-Jones and Chita Rivera.Photo:Phillip Faraone/Getty; Cindy Ord/Getty
Phillip Faraone/Getty; Cindy Ord/Getty
Chita Riverais being remembered for her lasting legacy.
The trailblazingBroadway star died peacefully Tuesdayin New York at age 91 after a brief illness, her daughter Lisa Mordente announced. Her family added that a private funeral will be held, plus a memorial service that will be announced later. They asked that any donations in her memory be made toBroadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Catherine Zeta-Jones, who won an Oscar playing Velma Kelly in the 2002 filmChicago,honored Rivera onInstagramTuesday, writing there are “no words to tell you what an incredible impact you have had on my life.”
Rivera did a cameo for the 2021 movie adaptation ofTick, Tick… Boom!The film’s directorLin-Manuel Mirandasaid in a statement that Rivera is a “trailblazer” who had so many “iconic Broadway roles because she was an absolute original.”
Chita Rivera performing in Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life.Jemal Countess/WireImage
Jemal Countess/WireImage
“When we filmed the diner scene inTick, Tick..Boom!, she wasn’t available for the shoot dates, so I left a chair empty in the diner for those three days,” theHamiltoncreator said.
“The whole shoot, people kept trying to move the chair or clear space and I’d have to say no, we’re GOING to get Chita, I don’t know how but we’re going to do it. Eight months later on our reshoots, she joined us and held court all day. It remains one of the all-time joys of my life. She was magnificent. She IS magnificent, not ready for the past tense just yet.”
“My heart is with everyone in Chita’s galaxy of family and friends. We’ll be blastingWest Side StoryandBye, Bye BirdieandChicagoand SO MUCH MUSIC, because she left us so much. Gracias, Chita. Alabanza.”
Rob Marshall, director of theChicagomovie, said, “We will never see the likes of Chita Rivera again. Her blazing talent, divine humor and electric personality literally leapt off the stage and into my heart. I will carry our special friendship, her soaring spirit and passionate soul with me forever.”
Laura Benanti, who costarred with Rivera in theTony Award-winning 2003 revival ofNine, said in a statement: “Chita Rivera took me under her wing when I was 22 years old and never let me go. She was the brightest star in the galaxy, the hardest worker in the room, the funniest and warmest person at every table. Her legacy will live on forever and I will love her for eternity.”
Jason Alexandershared a photo of himself with Rivera onXand wrote that she was “one of the greatest spirits and colleagues I’ve ever known.” “She set the bar in every way. I will cherish her always,” he added. “Dance in heaven, my friend.”
Chita Rivera on Nov. 1, 2022.Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Mia Farrowcalled Rivera “an authentic Broadway icon” in a statement shared on X. “A dazzling actress, singer and dancer. No one who was fortunate enough to have seen any of her performances, will ever forget [the] experience,” she wrote. “She gave us so much.”
Bernadette Peterssaid in a statement that Rivera “was an amazing talent and vibrant fun person.” The Broadway star added, “She was a great star up til the very end. She did it all very well.”
Playwright Paul Rudnick wrote onXthat Rivera “always delivered and audiences adored her” in her performances. “The moment she stepped onstage, the world became more exciting and glorious.”
Oscar nominee Colman Domingo also shared a photo of Rivera on the social media platform andwrote, “A life well lived. An Icon. A friend.”
James L. Nederlander, Broadway producer and president and CEO of the Nederlander Organization, said in a statement that Rivera “was one of a kind.”
“A legend, an icon, a trailblazer. But most of all, a great friend and champion of musical theater,” he continued. “This is a monumental loss for our industry, but we will always be grateful to have known and worked with her. Today, Broadway has lost one of its greatest stars, but her memory will live on in her iconic performances. We will miss you, Chita.”
source: people.com
