My West Side Story
A Memoir
By George Chakiris
With Lindsay Harrison

"You will savor this story of a Greek boy in America who did well -- very well, indeed."
– Rita Moreno

Golden Globe and Academy Award winner, George Chakiris, as he releases his memoirs entitled "My West Side Story" as we approach the 60th anniversary of the Academy award winning film.

George Chakiris' reclusive reputation has made him highly sought for interviews. Now, as he prepare to release his memoirs, entitled "MY WEST SIDE STORY," he opens up about life in and out of the spotlight as we approach the 60th anniversary of the Academy Award winning film.

Academy Awards Acceptance Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGgoVihR7xs

George Chakiris (2018) Orpheus Award Honoree - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDwZjQl25bc

Natalie Wood and “lovely” Richard Beymer, to the mercurial Jerome Robbins and “passionate” Rita Moreno, with whom Chakiris remains friends. “I know exactly where my gratitude belongs,” Chakiris writes, “and I still marvel at how, unbeknownst to me at the time, the joyful path of my life was paved one night in 1949 when Jerome Robbins sat Leonard Bernstein and Arthur Laurents down in his apartment and announced, 'I have an idea.'"

Academy Award & Golden Globe winner, George Chakiris, is perhaps best known internationally for his role of Bernardo in West Side Story. In Nov of 2012, Chakiris received what many refer to as the highest honor in Hollywood - His Hand & Foot Prints were placed in cement for all history in connection with the 50th anniversary of classic film West Side Story which premiered at Grauman's over 50 years ago. 

George Chakiris was born in Norwood, Ohio. He is the son of Steven and Zoe Chakiris. They were immigrants from Greece.  A graduate of the American School of Dance, Chakiris recalls the early days of passing the Grauman's Chinese Theatre, “where the worlds most glamorous people were seen,” never thinking that one day he would be attending his own premiere for “Westside Story” (For which he received a Golden Globe and an Academy Award) and eventually, in Dec, 2011, would have his hand and foot prints placed in the famous forecourt, among those whom he had idolized.

In 1947, Chakiris made his film debut in the chorus of 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 1961, George's biggest success came with the film West Side Story, for which he won the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Bernardo, leader of the Sharks.  He had also appeared as Riff, leader of the Jets, in the West End in London. He starred as a doctor in the film Diamond Head released in 1963, opposite Charlton Heston and Yvette Mimieux, and in 1967, he appeared alongside Gene Kelly in Jacques Demy's French musical Les Demoiselles de Rochefort.

Besides films, Chakiris performed on Broadway and for television. In the early 1960s, he embarked on a career as a pop singer, resulting in a couple of minor hit songs. In 1960, he recorded one single with noted producer Joe Meek. George worked more in television in the 1970s and 1980s, appearing on such shows as Wonder Woman, Medical Center, Hawaii Five-O, Dallas, Murder, She Wrote and the TV daytime drama Santa Barbara In Superboy, he appeared as Professor Peterson during the series first two seasons from 1988-1990. Chakiris's last role to date was in a 1996 episode of the sitcom Last of the Summer Wine.

FROM THE SILVER SCREEN TO STERLING SILVER -  George Chakiris, parlayed his talent from the Silver Screen to Sterling Silver Jewelry, featuring necklaces, bracelets, earrings, dramatic belts and more.  Many of his designs have been inspired by colleagues such as Marilyn Monroe and Rosemarie Clooney, whom he had the privelege of dancing with, in "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" and "White Christmas" respectfully.  Living a life with passion for the creative arts drew George quite by chance to jewelry making as a hobby. What began as a diversion became a full time appreciation for design and construction and a new creative outlet, which became The George Chakiris Collections.   Chakiris recently unveiled his latest collection in Japan.  The George Chakiris collections are now on display at Tokyo's prestigious Mitsukoshi Department Store as well as in America online at his georgechakiris.com. Among those artists seen on red carpets and national interviews such as The Today Show and CNN wearing George's accessory creations are Morgan Fairchild, Rita Moreno, Tippi Hedren, Loni Anderson, Carol Channing, Donna Mills, Romi Dames, Phyllis Diller, Alison Arngrim, Mary McDonough, Michael Learned and Judy Norton. 

The Author:
George Chakiris started his acting/dancing career appearing in musicals such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), White Christmas (1954), and There's No Business Like Show Business (1954). After appearing in the London stage production of West Side Story for two years, he was selected by Jerome Robbins to co-star in the eponymous film. Since that time he appeared in dozens of plays, films, and TV shows before retiring in 1996. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.

978-1-4930-5547-0 $24.95, Hardback
978-1-4930-5548-7 $23.50, Electronic book text
Imprint: Lyons Press
March 2021
232 pages
Size: 6 x 9
Category: Performing Arts (Film / General)
Includes: 112 Illustrations, 112 Photos

 

OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY

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.

In the late 1950s, Chakiris was cast as Riff, leader of the Jets, in the London production of West Side Story. He was later chosen to play Riff’s arch rival, Bernardo, in the 1961 theatrical release. Before his big break, George appeared in films with icons like Cyd Charisse, Mitzi Gaynor, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly and Rosemary Clooney. He performed in There’s No Business Like Show Business, Brigadoon, White Christmas, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, starring Marilyn Monroe.

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.

In Nov of 2012, Chakiris received what many refer to as the highest honor in Hollywood - His Hand & Foot Prints were placed in cement for all history in connection with the 50th anniversary of classic film West Side Story which premiered at Grauman's over 50 years ago. 

FROM THE SILVER SCREEN TO STERLING SILVER - Chakiris,parlayed his international fame and talent from the Silver Screen to Sterling Silver Jewelry, featuring necklaces, bracelets, earrings, dramatic belts and more.  Many of his designs have been inspired by colleagues such as Marilyn Monroe and Rosemary Clooney, whom he had the privelege of dancing with, in "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" and "White Christmas" respectfully.

Living a life with passion for the creative arts drew George quite by chance to jewelry making as a hobby. What began as a diversion became a full time appreciation for design and construction and a new creative outlet, which became The George Chakiris Collections.   Chakiris recently unveiled his latest collection in Japan.  The George Chakiris collections are now on display at Tokyo's prestigious Mitsukoshi Department Store as well as in America online at his website at GeirgeChakiris.com. Among those artists recently seen on red carpets and national interviews such as The Today Show and CNN wearing George's accessory creations are Morgan Fairchild, Rita Moreno, Tippi Hedren, Loni Anderson, Carol Channing, Donna Mills, Romi Dames, Phyllis Diller, Alison Arngrim, Mary McDonough, Michael Learned and Judy Norton. 

Official Website (direct all fan / autograph requests here)

CLIPS:

For interviews, press, high res photos and updated biography please send an email to harlan@bhbpr.com or call 626.296.3757