A Broadway singer and actress, Rita Moreno was frequently cast in the Latin girl roles, striving to become an important actress like her idol, Lana Turner. Although she had a number of obstacles to overcome being from Puerto Rico, she became a star in Hollywood, on Broadway, in films, and on television.
Born Rosa Dolores Alverio in Puerto Rico, Rita Moreno was born into a poor family. Her mother fled to the United States looking for work after the United States declared war on Cuba and took over Puerto Rico. Moreno joined her mother in New York and never saw her father or yo...