I played a Siamese girl from Thailand. I played an Arabian girl. I did a lot of American Indians. I never, ever was able to do a part without assuming some kind of accent. Rita Moreno Read Quote
There is something about sex that always brings out the funny in me. I think it’s because we make such fools of ourselves over it. Rita Moreno Read Quote
LIFE Magazine’ decided to do a story about a young actress in Hollywood in 1954. And I made the cover. And I remember that the fellow who was doing the story on me said, ‘Listen, kid, I just want you to know, if Eisenhower gets a cold, you’re off the cover.’ Rita Moreno Read Quote
If you’re going to make black movies only about black people, that’s as bad as white movies only about white people. Rita Moreno Read Quote
A lot of young Latino actors have said to me, ‘Why can’t we get an Oscar? Why can’t we be nominated?’ And the terrible truth is that if you don’t get the right parts, you’re not going to be. Are you going to get an Oscar nomination for one of those Judd Apatow movies? Not likely, no matter what nationality you are. Rita Moreno Read Quote
I was determined that with perseverance and faith, at some point, someone would say, ‘This girl has talent,’ and would cast me in something meaningful. Rita Moreno Read Quote
The thing I get the most that I really love is that people don’t so much mention films I’ve been in or shows I’ve been in as they say, instead, ‘I love you. I just love your perseverance.’ That really pleases me. Rita Moreno Read Quote
Certain roles for older women are aimed at certain older actresses – I’m not one of those. I’ve been offered any number of Puerto Rican grandmas that I’ve turned down. Rita Moreno Read Quote
I love being onstage, I love getting applause, and I love the love that comes across the footlights. It’s so much a part of what I do and what I’ve done most of my life. Rita Moreno Read Quote
