‘West Side Story’ star George Chakiris recalls working with Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood: ‘I’m very lucky’

EXCLUSIVE: George Chakiris has had a outstanding life – and now he’s able to share it with the world.

The Academy Award and Golden Globe winner has simply launched a memoir titled “My West Side Story,” which particulars his upbringing as a son of Greek immigrants in Ohio, his rise to stardom, in addition to what it was actually like bringing the enduring 1961 musical to life.

The 86-year-old, who retired in 1996 after a decades-long profession in performs, movies, and TV exhibits, now lives quietly in Los Angeles.

Chakiris spoke to Fox News about working with Marilyn Monroe and Natalie Wood, in addition to how he reacted to his Oscar win.

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Fox News: Before “West Side Story” you labored with Marilyn Monroe in 1953’s “Gentleman Prefer Blondes” and 1954’s “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” What was that like?
George Chakiris: The very first thing that involves thoughts is she was very quiet. She severely focused on her work and skilled tirelessly to provide her finest performances. Whenever we might cease filming a scene, many forged members would simply return to their dressing rooms. But she would simply go proper again to her beginning place, prepared to start once more. That’s how concentrated she was in her work. And I actually admired her for that. Not everybody did that.

I do bear in mind one time whereas filming “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” slightly boy approached her and she or he greeted him with an enormous smile on her face. And she took the time to speak to him. I watched her and she or he was virtually glowing. It was such a candy, real connection she had with this baby. She wasn’t like “leave me alone, I’m busy.” She was beneficiant to take time from her day simply for a kid. 

I bear in mind this different time, she was speaking to [choreographer] Jack Cole and behind him was her appearing coach Natasha Lytess. I couldn’t precisely hear what Jack was saying, however I bear in mind Marilyn’s eyes went to Natasha, who was simply standing there shaking her head, as if she was saying, “Don’t pay any attention to what he’s saying. We’ll talk later.” *laughs*. I believed it was humorous. But Marilyn was so candy that she simply stood there and tried to hearken to each of them on the identical time. 

Fox News: Did you develop a friendship with Marilyn?
Chakiris: No as a result of we have been all there to work and all of us wished to ensure we have been offering the perfect performances that we may on set. But I do do not forget that she was current on daily basis and at all times able to work. She was very candy to these on set. She would arrive and depart quietly.

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I by no means understood how individuals may say such horrible issues about her over time. I can solely communicate from my expertise, as only a dancer within the background, however my impression was that she was very candy, form, extremely well mannered and desperate to work arduous as the remainder of us. I at all times appreciated that about her. I’ve a sense that if we had the prospect to change into mates, she would have been simply the identical. But in truth, we have been simply there to work. 

Fox News: How have been you found as Bernardo in “West Side Story”?
Chakiris: Well, I began my profession as a dancer, not as an actor. And regardless of having some success in it, work was starting to dry up by the late ‘50s. So I purchased a one-way ticket to New York as a result of, effectively, what else was I going to do? I stayed with some mates who knew their approach across the metropolis. And one of the crucial vital issues occurring in New York on the time was all these performs have been popping out. There have been a variety of castings and replacements happening. And the London firm was on the town.

Well, after I audition for “West Side Story,” I used to be forged as Riff, chief of The Jets, for the London manufacturing. To be sincere, I used to be in shock and nervous about all of this. After doing the London West End stage manufacturing of “West Side Story,” I audition for the movie. This time I used to be forged as Bernardo, chief of The Sharks.

Honestly, I felt comfy with the swap as a result of if you do theater, you study the ins and outs of each character on stage. It stays in your reminiscence. You take in it with out realizing it. It felt pure and I had feeling about all of it. So by the point we started making the movie, I felt like I had lengthy skilled for the expertise.

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Fox News: It sounds such as you and co-star Rita Moreno developed a robust bond.
Chakiris: Oh my God, completely. Talk about having enjoyable. From the second we met, we have been at all times simply laughing and having a good time. Of course, everybody on set labored extremely arduous. We actually didn’t understand how a lot of an affect this movie would have, however there was a sense within the air that one thing magical was occurring. And she simply made it a lot enjoyable. 

I bear in mind after we started filming “America,” she got here up with the heaviest Puerto Rican accent you possibly can consider for the music. It was simply hysterical. So we have been doing issues like that always. She’s a buddy for all times. We have stayed in contact with one another always. I might say that’s one of many best presents that movie gave me, her friendship. And I’m so grateful for it.

Fox News: What was your preliminary impression of Natalie Wood?
Chakiris: You know, I can nonetheless see it proper now as if it occurred yesterday. I bear in mind when she first walked in. She was quiet and by herself. But the very first thing you instantly seen was her magnificence. It was inconceivable to not be struck by how stunning she was. She simply radiated. 

But in attending to know her on set, I spotted she was simply as stunning on the within. She was candy, humorous and simply received alongside with the forged. You knew she was a star due to her magnificence alone, however she by no means acted the half. And she labored extremely arduous, identical to the remainder of us. She would at all times arrive on time for rehearsal casually dressed and simply able to tackle no matter was thrown at us. Whenever she carried out, you couldn’t assist however simply cease no matter you have been doing. She was so extremely pretty to work with. That’s how I bear in mind her.

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Fox News: You went on to win the Oscar for “Best Supporting Actor.” What was going by way of your thoughts if you heard your identify?
Chakiris: I bear in mind I went with Rita. I walked up the steps, knocked on the door and there she was, so stunning. And the very first thing she stated to me was, “I’m practicing my loser’s face.” *laughs*. She’s actually humorous. So anyway, we have been simply on the ceremony, not anticipating something to come back of it for us. Then my class got here up. And all of all sudden, I heard my identify. It’s like my life flashed earlier than my eyes actually *laughs*. It’s actually arduous to explain that second as a result of I actually wasn’t anticipating to win. Needless to say, it was a shock. A pleasant shock.

Just to be nominated is actually fantastic as a result of it means the enterprise acknowledges your work. But when my identify was referred to as, I simply received as much as the stage, stated one thing very brief, and that was it. There have been so many feelings nevertheless it all occurred so quick. I used to be so grateful. I didn’t see myself as very vital, however I knew I had at all times labored very arduous. So it was a very good feeling. And Rita additionally gained so it made the second additional particular. It was really one of many best moments of my life. 

Fox News: How did your life change after profitable that Oscar?
Chakiris: To be sincere, I didn’t change. I used to be nonetheless the identical inexperienced naive particular person at all times desperate to study. I don’t suppose I used to be forged any otherwise. I didn’t get particular billing simply because I had gained an Oscar. But I appreciated what was occurring to me. I simply rolled with the punches in the easiest way doable. 

I bear in mind I used to be provided [1964’s] “Flight from Ashiya” with Richard Widmark. I turned it down twice. For some cause, I simply didn’t need to do the movie. I didn’t suppose it was proper for me. I went to the top of William Morris Agency and he advised me, “It’s important to keep making movies. You need to keep working. Look at the billing you’re getting. Look at the money you’re getting.” 

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He by no means stated, “This is a good career move you should make.” I don’t suppose he thought that. It was extra, you need to hold working. And I’m not sorry that I did the movie. But, that was a lesson I needed to study [in Hollywood]. When I did tv, I used to be actually typecast. But general, I’m very fortunate with how my life turned out. 

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Fox News: “West Side Story” is being remade. How do you’re feeling about that? 
Chakiris: I count on one thing fantastic from Steven Spielberg… He clearly takes on initiatives that he cares about as a filmmaker. And it is a stunning, stunning story. I’m positive any particular person with creativeness can do quite a bit with this movie. I simply hope [the original] will at all times be remembered as a result of, with out it, there could be no Steven Spielberg movie. I simply hope the brand new movie pays absolute respect to what we did. So I’m hoping one thing stunning will come from it.