Rita Moreno Book Summary

In her captivating memoir, "Rita Moreno," the legendary actress and performer shares her extraordinary journey from a humble Puerto Rican upbringing to becoming an iconic star of stage and screen. Readers are drawn into her world, experiencing the challenges of racism and gender inequality she faced in Hollywood. Moreno's candid reflections reveal the triumphs and heartaches behind her celebrated career, making her story both inspiring and relatable. With a life filled with passion, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams, this book invites readers to explore the profound impact of art and culture. Join Rita on a remarkable adventure that transcends time and celebrates the power of self-identity.

By Rita Moreno

Published: 2013

"The path to self-acceptance often winds through the valleys of courage and the peaks of resilience."

Book Review of Rita Moreno

"In this luminous memoir, Rita Moreno shares her remarkable journey from impoverished Puerto Rican girl to Hollywood legend--and one of the few performers, and the only Hispanic, to win an Oscar, Grammy, Tony and two Emmys. Born Rosita Dolores Alverio in the idyll of Puerto Rico, Moreno, at age five, embarked on a harrowing sea voyage with her mother and wound up in the harsh barrios of the Bronx, where she discovered dancing, singing, and acting as ways to escape a tumultuous childhood. Making her Broadway debut by age thirteen--and moving on to Hollywood in its Golden Age just a few years later--she worked alongside such stars as Elizabeth Taylor, Clark Gable, and Lana Turner. Rita, who was made over as the "Latina Liz Taylor" by MGM head Louis B. Mayer, became an instant sensation. From dancing with Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain to her Oscar-winning performance in West Side Story, she catapulted to fame--yet found herself repeatedly typecast as a Latina spitfire, a role she found almost impossible to elude. Here, for the first time, Rita reflects on her struggles to break through Hollywood's racial and sexual barriers. She explores the wounded little girl behind the glamorous facade--and what it took to find her place in the world. She talks candidly about her relationships with Elvis Presley and Howard Hughes, and the passionate romance with Marlon Brando that drove her to attempt suicide in his bed. And she reveals the secrets behind her "perfect" marriage and the incomparable joys of motherhood. Infused with Rita Moreno's astounding wit and deep insight, this memoir is the dazzling portrait of a stage and screen star who longed to become who she really is--and triumphed"--

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The path to self-acceptance often winds through the valleys of courage and the peaks of resilience.

Rita Moreno

By Rita Moreno