George Chakiris(born September 16, 1932) is an American actor and dancer. He is best known for his appearance in the 1961 film version ofWest Side Storyas Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks gang, for which he won both theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actorand theGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.
George Chakiris | |
|---|---|
 Chakiris in 2010 | |
| Born | September 16, 1932 Norwood, Ohio,U.S. |
| Other names | George Kerris |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, dancer |
| Years active | 1947–1996, 2021 |
| Website | GeorgeChakiris |
Life and career
editEarly life
editChakiris was born on September 16, 1932, inNorwood, Ohio,to Stelianos (Steve) and Zoe (néeAnastasiadou) Chakiris, Greek immigrants from Turkey. He is one of eight siblings.[1][2][3]
His family moved toLong Beach, California,in 1944. He attended Jefferson Junior High school and was graduated in 1950 fromWoodrow Wilson Classical High School,both in Long Beach.[4][5]
Chakiris attended one year atLong Beach City College,but wanted to pursue a career in dance, so he dropped out and moved to Hollywood. He worked in the advertising department ofMay Company California,a department store, and studied dance at night.[4][5]
Early films
edit
Chakiris made his film debut at age 15 in 1947 in the chorus ofSong of Love.[5]
For several years he appeared in small roles, usually as a dancer or a member of the chorus in various musical films, includingThe Great Caruso(1951),Stars and Stripes Forever(1952),Call Me Madam(1953),Second Chance(1953), andThe 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.(1953).
He was a dancer inMarilyn Monroe's "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"number inGentlemen Prefer Blondes(1953), and he appeared inGive a Girl a Break(1953) andWhite Christmas(1954).
He can be seen in the wedding dance in the MGM musical filmBrigadoon(1954), and appeared inThere's No Business Like Show Business(1954).
Chakiris was sometimes cast in non-Caucasianroles, including inWest Side Storyas aPuerto Ricanand inDiamond Headas anative Hawaiian.
Paramount
editChakiris appeared uncredited as a dancer inWhite Christmas(1954) and appeared in a close-up withRosemary Clooneywhile she sang "Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me". A publicity photo of this generated fan mail, andParamountsigned him to a movie contract. "I got lucky with the close-up with Rosemary," said Chakiris.[6][7]
Chakiris appeared inThe Country Girl(1954) andThe Girl Rush(1955), dancing withRosalind Russellin the latter. He received a positive review fromHedda Hopper.[8]
MGM borrowed him forMeet Me in Las Vegas(1956), and he danced in Las Vegas.[9]
Chakiris had a small non-dancing part inUnder Fire(1957).
West Side Story
editAbout 1958, frustrated with the progress of his career, Chakiris left Hollywood for New York. The stage musicalWest Side Storyhad been running for a year onBroadway,and Chakiris auditioned forJerome Robbins.He was cast in the London production as Riff, leader of the Jets. The musical launched on theWest Endin late 1958, and Chakiris received excellent reviews, playing it for almost 22 months.[10]
TheMirisch Brothersbought the film rights toWest Side Storyand screen-tested Chakiris. They thought his dark complexion made him more suited to the role of Bernardo, leader of the Sharks, and castRuss Tamblynas Riff. Filming took seven months.[11][4]
The film adaptation ofWest Side Story(1961) was hugely successful, and Chakiris won theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actorfor his performance. This led to a long-term contract with theMirisch Company.[12]
Chakiris played the lead role inTwo and Two Make Six(1962), directed byFreddie Francis.
Chakiris starred as a doctor in the filmDiamond Head(1963), oppositeCharlton HestonandYvette Mimieux.[13]
In the early 1960s, he embarked on a career as apop singer,resulting in a couple of minor hits. In 1960, he recorded asinglewith producerJoe Meek.
Three-picture deal with Mirisch Brothers
editChakiris's fee around this time was reported to be $100,000 per movie.[14]His first new film for the Mirisches wasFlight from Ashiya(1964), shot in Japan withYul BrynnerandRichard Widmark.
The Mirisches reunited Chakiris with Brynner inKings of the Sun(1963), an epic about theMayans,which was a box-office flop. Chakiris went to Italy to makeBebo's Girl(1964) withClaudia Cardinale.
He acted in633 Squadron(1964), a war movie withCliff Robertson,the last movie he made for the Mirisches. Chakiris later said he made a mistake with his Hollywood films by looking at the "potential" of them instead of the quality of the roles.[15]
Europe
editChakiris played a Greek terrorist in Cyprus in a British film,The High Bright Sun(1965), withDirk Bogarde.He went to Italy forThe Mona Lisa Has Been Stolen(1965) and France forIs Paris Burning?(1966).[16]
He appeared withCatherine DeneuveandGene KellyinJacques Demy's French musical filmThe Young Girls of Rochefort(1967). Around this time, his manager cancelled his contract with Capitol Records.[17]However, he enjoyed his time in Europe, saying he had time to "experiment and refine my craft."[15]He also performed a nightclub act atCaesars Palacein Las Vegas, his first stage work sinceWest Side Story.The show was successful and led to Chakiris receiving an offer to appear withJose Ferrerin a TV production ofKismet(1967). He appeared inThe Day the Hot Line Got Hot(1968) in France, andThe Big Cube(1969) withLana Turnerin America. He madeSharon Vestida de Rojo(Sharon Dressed in Red) (1970) in Spain.[18]
1970s and 1980s
editIn 1969, Chakiris did a stage production ofThe Corn Is Greenin Chicago withEileen Herlie.He enjoyed the experience and it revived his confidence as an actor. He said all the films he made afterWest Side Storyhad been "a waste of time...it was difficult to take them seriously...It was my fault and no one else's".[19]
Chakiris accepted a dramatic role on TV'sMedical Centerto change his image.[19]
He starred in the first national tour of theStephen SondheimmusicalCompany,in the role of Bobby, from 1971-1972.
Chakiris worked heavily on TV in the 1970s and 1980s in Britain and the U.S., guest-starring onHawaii Five-O,Police Surgeon,Thriller,Notorious Woman,Wonder Woman,Fantasy Island,CHiPs,Matt Houston,Scarecrow and Mrs. King,Poor Little Rich Girls,Hell TownandMurder, She Wrote.
He appeared in the final episode (March 22, 1974) ofThe Partridge Familyas an old high school boyfriend to Shirley Partridge (Shirley Jones). Their kiss goodbye was the final scene in the program's run. He also starred in theTerry MarcelfilmWhy Not Stay for Breakfast?(1979).
Chakiris appeared in several episodes ofDallasand had a role onSanta Barbara.
Later career
editChakiris was top-billed in thevampire filmPale Blood(1990). On TV, he had a recurring role on the seriesSuperboyas Professor Peterson from 1988 to 1990, and guest-starred onHuman Targetand theminiseriesThe Girls of Lido.
On stage, he starred in the musical in aLong BeachCivic Light Opera production ofThe King and Iin 1995.[20]
On March 23, 1998, on the70th Academy Awardstelecast, he appeared in the "Oscar's Family Album" segment, a historic gathering of 70 actors who have received both competitive andhonorary awardsseated onstage together.[21]
He has given occasional television interviews since then, but is mostly retired. His hobby of making sterling silver jewelry has turned into a new occupation,[22]working as a jewelry designer for his own brand, George Chakiris Collections, consisting of handmade original sterling silver jewelry.
In 2012, he presented a musical aboutveganismtitledLoving the Silent Tears.[23][24]
In 2021, Chakiris appeared in the filmNot to Forget(2021), which aims to raise awareness and funds for the fight againstAlzheimer's disease.The movie, directed by Valerio Zanoli, starsKaren Grassleand fiveAcademy Awardwinners: George Chakiris,Cloris Leachman,Louis Gossett Jr.,Tatum O'Neal,andOlympia Dukakis.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Song of Love | Choir boy | As George Kerris |
| 1951 | The Great Caruso | Dancer | Uncredited |
| 1952 | Stars and Stripes Forever | Ballroom dancer | Uncredited |
| 1953 | Call Me Madam | Dancer in 'The Ocarina' Number | |
| The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T | Dancer | As George Kerris | |
| Gentlemen Prefer Blondes | Dancer ( "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend") | Uncredited[25] | |
| Second Chance | Background Observer in Dance Sequence | Uncredited | |
| Give a Girl a Break | Dancer | Uncredited | |
| 1954 | Brigadoon | Specialty dancer | Uncredited |
| White Christmas | Dancer in 'Mandy' and 'Love' numbers | Uncredited | |
| The Country Girl | Dancer with pick | Uncredited | |
| There's No Business Like Show Business | Dancer | Uncredited | |
| 1955 | The Girl Rush | Chorus boy, 'Hillbilly Heart' number | Uncredited |
| 1956 | Meet Me in Las Vegas | Young groom | As George Kerris |
| 1957 | Under Fire | Pvt. Steiner | Uncredited |
| 1961 | West Side Story | Bernardo | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture |
| 1962 | Two and Two Make Six | Larry Curado | |
| Diamond Head | Dr. Dean Kahanna | ||
| 1963 | Kings of the Sun | Balam | |
| 1964 | La ragazza di Bube | Bebo | English:Bebo's Girl |
| Flight from Ashiya | 2nd Lt. John Gregg | ||
| 633 Squadron | Lt. Erik Bergman | ||
| 1965 | The High Bright Sun | Haghios | |
| 1966 | On a volé la Joconde | Vincent | English:The Mona Lisa Has Been Stolen |
| Is Paris Burning? | GI in tank | ||
| 1967 | Les Demoiselles de Rochefort | Étienne | English:The Young Girls of Rochefort |
| 1968 | Le Rouble à Deux Faces | Eric Ericson | US title:The Day the Hot Line Got Hot |
| 1969 | The Big Cube | Johnny Allen | |
| Sharon Vestida de Rojo | Robert Bowman | English:Sharon Dressed in Red | |
| 1979 | Why Not Stay for Breakfast? | George Clark | |
| 1982 | Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again | Himself | |
| 1990 | Pale Blood | Michael Fury | |
| 2021 | Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It | Himself | Documentary aboutRita Moreno,his costar inWest Side Story(1961) |
| 2021 | Not to Forget | Bank Manager |
Selected television appearances
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Ford Star Jubilee | Episode: "You're the Top" | |
| 1968 | The Carol Burnett Show | Episode 18 (January 22, 1968) | |
| 1969 | The Jackie Gleason Show | Episode: "Mousey the Dip" | |
| 1970–1975 | Medical Center | Alex Solkin | 3 episodes |
| 1972 | Hawaii Five-O | Chris Lahani | Episode: "Death Is a Company Policy" |
| 1974 | The Partridge Family | Capt. Chuck "Cuddles" Corwin | Episode: "... - - -... (S.O.S.)" |
| Thriller | Robert Stone | Episode: "Kiss Me and Die" | |
| Notorious Woman | Frédéric Chopin | Miniseries | |
| 1978 | The New Adventures of Wonder Woman | Carlo Indrezzano | Episode: "Death in Disguise" |
| Return to Fantasy Island | Pierre | ||
| 1982 | Fantasy Island | Captain Claude Dumont | Episode: "The Magic Camera/Mata Hari/Valerie" |
| 1983 | CHiPs | Bernard DeJardine | Episode: "Fox Trap" |
| Matt Houston | Brett Cole | Episode: "The Showgirl Murders" | |
| 1984 | Matt Houston | Clark Sawyer | Episode: "Waltz of Death" |
| One Life to Live | Unknown episodes | ||
| Poor Little Rich Girls | Prince Rudolph | Episode: "The Gentleman Caller" | |
| Nihon no omokage | Lafcadio Hearn | Japanese miniseriesja: Nhật Bản の mặt ảnh | |
| Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Angelo Spinelli | Episode: "Lost and Found" | |
| 1985 | Hell Town | Ric Montenez | Episode: "Let My Jennie Go" |
| 1986 | Dallas | Nicholas | 14 episodes |
| 1988 | Santa Barbara | Daniel Espinoza | |
| 1989 | Murder, She Wrote | Eric Bowman | Episode: "Weave a Tangled Web" |
| 1989–1990 | Superboy | Professor Peterson | 9 episodes |
| 1992 | Human Target | Robillard | Episode: "Chances Are" |
| 1995 | Les Filles du Lido | Saskia | Miniseries |
| 1996 | Last of the Summer Wine | Max Bernard | Episode: "Extra! Extra!" |
References
edit- ^"Personally Speaking ep. 68 (George Chakiris)".YouTube.August 26, 2021.
- ^Hamilton County Recorder’s Office, Cincinnati, Ohio.
- ^Chakiris, George (2021).My West Side Story.Lyons Press. p. 3.ISBN978-1493055470.
- ^abcGreeks Have a Word for It---Chakiris,Los Angeles Times,December 10, 1961: Q4.
- ^abcChakiris, George. My West Side Story. Lyons Press, 2021. Page 10.ISBN978-1493055470
- ^Kiesewetter, John (December 12, 2011). "George Chakiris makes holiday homecoming".Cincinnati Enquirer.Cincinnati, Ohio.
- ^"Biography for George Chakiris"onTCM
- ^Hopper, Hedda (February 8, 1955). "Edmond O'Brien Cast in Jack Webb 'Blues'".Los Angeles Times.p. B6.
- ^"Dance Star Does Unique 'Viva Vegas' Role; Kent Taylor in Films Again Schallert, Edwin.Los Angeles Times,July 22, 1955: 17.
- ^Playboys of the Western World Wilson, Angus.The ObserverDecember 14, 1958: 15.
- ^Hopper, Hedda (June 28, 1960). "Vidal Will Write 'Reunion' Script: Tamblyn and Chakiris Join Cast of 'West Side Story'".Los Angeles Times.p. B8.
- ^Mirisch, Walter (April 10, 2008).I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History.University of Wisconsin Press. p. 201.
- ^Parsons, Louella O. (April 1, 1962). "Constant, Hard Work Pays Off for George".The Washington Post and Times-Herald.p. G2.
- ^Scheuer, Philip K. "Chakiris' Salary Hits Six Figures: Philippine Actor Climbing; Wide Screen for 'Squares'?"Los Angeles Times,May 30, 1962: C9.
- ^abScott, John L. "Chakiris Likes Nightclub Life"Los Angeles Times,August 4, 1967: d7.
- ^Briggs, Andrew (September 21, 1965). "Two Signed for 'Paris'".Los Angeles Times.p. c13.
- ^CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD; Gracious dance; George Chakiris remains grateful to choreographer and director Jerome Robbins for 'West Side Story.' King, Susan. Los Angeles Times November 11, 2013: D.3.
- ^Muir, Florabel (September 6, 1967). "Everything Is Roses for George Chakiris".The Washington Post and Times-Herald.p. B13.
- ^abBrowning, Norma Lee (November 22, 1970). "Hollywood Today: George Chakiris Tries Cutting the Ice as Hollywood Looks at His New Image".Chicago Tribune.p. nw2.
- ^Fitzgerald, David (November 11, 2013)."George Chakiris' musical notes".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedSeptember 2,2024.
- ^Pond, Steve (2005),The Big Show: High Times and Dirty Dealings Backstage at the Academy Awards,New York, United States:Faber and Faber,ISBN0-571-21193-3
- ^Holleran, Scott.A Boy Like That.BoxOfficeMojo. March 21, 2003.
- ^"In-Depth with Loving the Silent Tears Guest Speaker: George Chakiris (Vegetarian)".GodsDirectContact.org.2012.RetrievedMay 31,2018.
- ^Wagley, Catherine (October 30, 2012)."That Musical About Veganism Starring Jon Secada and Based on the Poetry of Supreme Master Ching Hai, Explained".LA Weekly.RetrievedMay 31,2018.
- ^"Hometowns to Hollywood: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".HometownsToHollywood.April 24, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 1,2024.
External links
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