George Chakiris
Actor
Biography
George Chakiris (born September 16, 1932) is an American dancer, singer and actor. He is best known for his role as Bernardo in the 1961 film version of West Side Story, which earned him an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Prior to West Side Story, Chakiris appeared uncredited in many musicals such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), White Christmas (1954), and Brigadoon (1954) as a dancer or chorus member. After West Side Story, he had starring roles in several lesser-known critical and commercial failures such as Diamond Head (1962), Kings of the Sun (1963), and The High Bright Sun (1965). On stage, his most notable role was as Bobby in the first national tour of Stephen Sondheim's Company. He had guest roles in many television series throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including appearances on Dallas, Superboy, and the series finale of The Patridge Family. Chakiris emerged from retirement to act in the film Not to Forget (2021), which aims to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease.
Filmography
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
as Chorus Boy (uncredited) 1953
The Young Girls of Rochefort
as Etienne 1967
White Christmas
as Dancer (uncredited) 1954
Is Paris Burning?
as GI in Tank 1966
Brigadoon
as Dancer (uncredited) 1954
Brigadoon
as Specialty Dancer (uncredited) 1954
There's No Business Like Show Business
as Dancer (uncredited) 1954
The Country Girl
as Dancer in Play (uncredited) 1954
633 Squadron
as Lieutenant Erik Bergman 1964
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.
as Dancer 1953
Bebo's Girl
as Bube 1964
Kings of the Sun
as Balam 1963
Flower Drum Song
as Dancer (song "Chop Suey") (uncredited) 1961
Pale Blood
as Michael Fury 1990
Call Me Madam
as Dancer in The Ocarina Number (uncredited) 1953
The Young Girls Turn 25
as Self (archive footage) 1993