‘West Side Story’ Star Dies Months After Ex-Wife Chita Rivera
Tony Mordente has died at the age of 88, just months after former wife and “West Side Story” co-star Chita Rivera, who passed away in January.
Silver Screen Collection
West Side Story star Tony Mordente has died at the age of 88. The actor, known for playing A-Rab in the original musical version and as Jet Action in the 1961 film, died on Tuesday in Henderson, Nevada, his family confirmed. He married his West Side Story co-star Chita Rivera, who played Anita, in 1957, with the couple having one daughter, Lisa Mordente, before divorcing in 1966. Rivera died aged 91 in January. The couple remained on good terms even after their divorce. He married Jean G. Fraser in 1978, having another daughter, screenwriter Adriana Mordente. Mordente also worked on Broadway as an actor and assistant choreographer in productions including Lil’ Abner, Bye Bye Birdie and Ben Franklin in Paris. In the 1970s he turned his attention to television directing, with credits including episodes of Matlock, Rhoda, The A-Team, M*A*S*H and The Love Boat.
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