George Chakiris

Actor / Dancer / Singer / Author

Academy Award winner George Chakiris is a triple threat who has established an international career on the big screen and in theatre. The son of Greek immigrants, this actor, dancer, and singer is recognized for his credits in nearly two dozen films, several acclaimed mini-series in Europe and Japan, BBC performances, and concert tours in Las Vegas and around the world. He earned an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award for his dynamic role as Bernardo in the film classic, West Side Story.

Born in Norwood, Ohio. He is the son of Steven and Zoe Chakiris who were immigrants from Greece. In 1947, he made his film debut in the chorus of the MGM motion picture “Song of Love”. Later he appeared in several small roles, usually as a dancer or a member of the chorus in various musical films. He was one of the dancers in Marilyn Monroe's “Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend” number in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes released in 1953. He again appeared as a dancer alongside Rosemary Clooney in “White Christmas” in “Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me.”

In 1958 he traveled to New York hoping for a Broadway "break." Hearing that Jerome Robbins was casting the London company of "West Side Story", he auditioned and was awarded the co-starring role of Riff. He played the part for almost two years on the West End stage before acting, singing, and dancing as Bernardo in the Robert Wise film version (West Side Story (1961)), a performance that earned him a Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Since then, he starred in a succession of films, including “Diamond Head” (1962) with Charlton Heston, “Bebo's Girl” (1964) with Claudia Cardinale, “The Young Girls of Rochefort” (1967) with Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac and Gene Kelly, “The Big Cube” (1969) with Lana Turner, “Why Not Stay for Breakfast?” (1979), “Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again” (1982), and “Pale Blood” (1990).

He is one of the most traveled stars in motion pictures, having been to such locations as Hawaii, Japan, Mexico, Italy, England, Spain, and France. His nightclub career was launched to rave reviews at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and Harrah's Club in Lake Tahoe.

In the 1970s and 1980s, his career focused on television and music. He appeared as a guest star in several TV series such as “Hawaii Five-O”, “Wonder Woman”, “CHiPs”, “Scarecrow and Mrs. King”, “Murder, She Wrote”, and he joined the cast of “Dallas” from 1985 to 1986.

He has released several records: "George Chakiris," "Memories Are Made of These," "The Gershwin Song Book," "West Side Story's Dynamic...". And has also appeared in several plays and stage musicals: including "The King and I" in the US in 1995, he performed in Britain the role of Rochester in "Jane Eyre".

In 1991, the French Government’s Minister of Culture awarded George the status of “Officier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” for his contributions to the Arts. His most recent awards include the Dizzy Feet Foundation’s “Impact Award” (2015) and Tremaine’s “Legendary Entertainer of the Year” Award (2017). George prides himself in sharing his legacy, knowledge, and experiences with aspiring artists in the performing arts.

His hobby of making sterling silver jewelry turned into a new occupation, working as a jewelry designer for his brand, George Chakiris Collections, consisting of handmade original sterling silver jewelry.

In 2011, his hand and footprints were placed in the famous forecourt of the Chinese Theater in Hollywood, along with his West Side Story co-stars Rita Moreno and Russ Tamblyn.

Though he has largely retired from acting, in 2021 has a small role in the heartwarming drama “Not To Forget”, which counts fellow Oscar winners Cloris Leachman and Olympia Dukakis.

In December 2021, his memoir “My West Side Story, co-written with Lindsay Harrison, was published by Lyon Press and can be purchased online and bookstores nationwide