Actor and choreographer Tony Mordente has died aged 88.
The performer – famed for starring as A-Rab in the original musical version of West Side Story and Jet Action in the 1961 film – passed away on Tuesday in Henderson, Nevada, his family confirmed.
He was married to his West Side Story co-star Chita Rivera – who played Anita – from 1957-1966. They shared one daughter, Lisa Mordente, 65. Rivera died in January aged 91.
He said in a 1963 interview: ‘A Jet marrying a Shark. It was quite a thing.’
He married Jean G. Fraser in 1978. They are the parents of screenwriter Adriana Mordente.
Mordente is survived by daughters Lisa and Adriana.
West Side Story icon Tony Mordente (end right) has died aged 88 – he played Jet Action in the 1961 film
The performer – passed away on Tuesday in Henderson, Nevada , his family confirmed – he is pictured with ex-wife and Anita star Chita Rivera and their daughter Lisa in 2007
Lisa followed her famous parents into the world of musical theater – landing a best actress Tony nomination in 1982 for the musical Marlowe.
Mordente also worked on Broadway as an actor and assistant choreographer in productions including Lil’ Abner, Bye Bye Birdie and Ben Franklin in Paris.
The star was born in Brooklyn to a beer truck driver and began attending dance school aged 13.
He attended the High School of Performing Arts and won a scholarship to the American Ballet Theater School.
Mordente was discovered by choreographer Michael Kidd, who cast him as Lonesome Polecat in the 1956 Broadway musical adaptation of the Al Capp comic strip Li’l Abner – kicking off his musical theater career.
Rivera died in New York in January following a brief illness just one week after her 91st birthday.
The Broadway legend had a long list of Broadway credits to her name spanning over seven decades, and was a recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor.
Her friend Merle Frimark confirmed the sad news of her passing in a statement on Tuesday.
Tony is pictured with wife Chita on their wedding day in 1957
Mordente also worked on Broadway as an actor and assistant choreographer in productions including Lil’ Abner, Bye Bye Birdie and Ben Franklin in Paris – he is seen rehearsing in 1960 for the film version of WSS
The pair are pictured with their baby daughter Lisa in 1958
Tony and Chita remained famously amicable after their divorce – they are pictured in 2005
‘It is with immense personal sorrow that I announce the death of the beloved Broadway icon Chita Rivera. My dear friend of over 40 years was 91,’ Frimark said.
Chita (born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson) originated several plum 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 her involvement in such iconic musicals, Rivera ended up with an incredible ten Tony Award nominees to her name, winning three, including one for Lifetime Achievement.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk