George Chakiris as “Bernardo” in *West Side Story*

In late August I had the pleasure of enjoying dinner at the famed Musso & Frank’s Grill (105 years old) in the heart of Hollywood with a true Hollywood “star” the gracious and exceptionally talented George Chakiris who I’m proud to call my friend.

L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn (l,), George Chakiris, Stephanie Mardesich (r )dining in Musso & Frank Grill "Frank Sinatra Booth"

We met many years ago at some Hollywood stage premiers and have a natural propinquity as I have very close friends of Greek heritage that’s his lineage. September 16th he’ll be 92 and is vigorous, alert, and handsome as ever, though now his raven locks are more “silver fox”.

In 2009 the LA Harbor International Film Festival (I’m director/founder) presented West Side Story (WSS) commemorating the 50th anniversary of the classic musical film at the Hollywood Nostalgia Tribute (HNT), and honored two stars of the movie George Chakiris (GC) and Russ Tamblyn (RT) at the HNT Gala. George received the Academy Awardâ for Best Supporting Actor for his dynamic performance as “Bernardo” in WSS the stupendous ten time Academy Awardâ film that also earned him a Golden Globe Award. His starring role was the epitome of his burgeoning career and not only thrust him into the limelight, it catapulted his acting career in film, theatre and television in America and abroad.

Prior to the festival HNT George attended the Seafarin’ Reception and Press Launch at beloved Ports O’Call Restaurant, to unveil the official poster; and afterward we entertained him dining in the illustrious Papadakis Taverna where host/owner John Papadakis greeted him like his cousin. When George viewed the poster that is first rendition of the iconic bridge photo image by renowned photographer Peter Read Miller, he exclaimed “it’s fabulous, it’s your ‘brand’, don’t change it” and LAHIFF took his sage advice and ever after have used it as the design for the key art that is re-imagined each year to reflect the programming content.

He continued on to international stardom in the United States of America, Europe, and Far East. His acting, singing and dancing credits include more than two dozen films, with a loyal following in Japan and Europe, where he has worked in film, television, theatre, several acclaimed mini-series, BBC performances and concert tours in Las Vegas and around the world. His hand and foot prints are also among the many “stars” at the renowned TCL (nee Grauman’s) Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

The son of immigrant Greek parents, George was born in Norwood, Ohio, spent early days in Arizona and then the family moved to Long Beach, California. A singing and dancing natural, he was a member of the choir at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Long Beach. The group was noted for having performed in dozens of films, and he appeared with them in Song of Love with Katharine Hepburn, making his cinematic debut as a young adolescent – little did he know what was to come.

Eager to work on the stage, George moved to New York City where friends offered him couch space until he found work. While in Manhattan he auditioned for the London cast of the smash Broadway musical West Side Story, and was chosen to play “Riff”, the leader of the Jets. Eighteen months into the run he was cast in the film version as “Bernardo”, the leader of the Sharks.

In the years prior to WSS he appeared in films with such exceptional talents as Cyd Charisse, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Mitzi Gaynor, Donald O'Connor, Danny Kaye, Marilyn Monroe and Debbie Reynolds; and in classic films including There's No Business Like Show Business, Brigadoon, White Christmas, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

“At The Movies With George Chakiris – Still A Truly Shining Star”

Major television appearances include the Ed Sullivan Show, Carol Burnett Show, Andy Williams Show and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson; guest and recurring appearances in numerous long running television shows such as Hawaii 5-0, Fantasy Island, The Partridge Family, Dallas, and Murder, She Wrote. He also recorded numerous record albums for Capitol Records.

Subsequent to WSS he was privileged to have co-starred with some of the stellar thespians including Natalie Wood, Charleton Heston, Yul Brynner, Richard Widmark, France Nuyen, Cliff Robertson, Yvette Mimieux, and Dirk Bogarde, and the list goes on. In Italy he co-starred with Claudia Cardinale in the politically intriguing Bebo's Girl, and later in the romantic The Theft Of The Mona Lisa with Marina Vlady. His European popularity continued with such films as The Young Girls of Rochefort, with Gene Kelly, and film star sisters Francoise Dorleac and Catherine Deneuve.

His theatre roles are as varied as they are praised, including a personal favorite The Corn Is Green with Eileen Herlie, Elizabeth The Queen with Kim Hunter, Stephen Sondheim's Company with the incomparable Elaine Stritch; and a plethora of other hit musicals, including I Do, I Do, Camelot, My Fair Lady, The Fantasticks, The Music Man, and Don Juan In Hell. In London, England’s famed “West End” George won rave reviews starring for one year in The Passion Of Dracula (I saw this performance – he was mesmerizing). While in the UK he also played Frederic Chopin opposite Rosemary Harris, as the French novelist George Sand, in the BBC mini-series Notorious Woman that aired twice on PBS in the U.S.A.

Among his later starring roles he returned to the stage cast as the French diplomat, Rene Gallimard, in the National Tour of David Henry Hwang's acclaimed play M. Butterfly that he considers one of his most rewarding experiences in the theatre; and a number of projects including Le Lido, a mini-series for French television, the British National Tour of Jane Eyre, followed by a guest appearance in England's longest running sitcom The Last Of The Summer Wine for the BBC.

In June 1991 George was invited to Paris and awarded the status of Officier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government's Minister of Culture for his contribution to the arts. True to his terpsichorean roots he is a member of the Professional Dancers Society and takes great pride in being a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In c. 2009 George turned his talent toward jewelry design and launched his original “GC Collection” in sterling silver and gold. I wore one of his original sterling silver necklaces on the “Red Carpet” at the Academy Awards in 2009. In March 2021 he published his memoir My West Side Story (Lyons Press; 222 pp available at Amazon – link follows) that delightfully recounts his experience with the “immortal musical” and his passion for dancing, acting, and how grateful he is for his wonderful career. Further reflecting about WSS he revealed “Needless to say, I’ll always be profoundly indebted to this ground breaking piece of theatre history and the brilliant men who collaborated for many long years to create it – Jerome Robbins who conceived, choreographed and directed; Stephen Sondheim and his exquisite lyrics; Leonard Bernstein who composed the iconic score; and Arthur Lurents, who wrote the libretto. Every production of WSS since its Broadway opening on September 26, 1957 and the 1961 film that have followed owes its very existence to the unparalleled template of those four geniuses.”

George has a busy agenda, many personal appearances, legions of fans domestically and abroad and invited to international events vis a vis WSS in particular. For all his acclaim George is a very humble individual who cares deeply for humanity, loves dogs,a truly genuine and delightful gentleman.

At dinner I asked him about his personal favorite films and here are some that we spoke about with minimum notes and links to view – get your popcorn ready!

Films:

West Side Story (USA, 1961, 153 min., directors Jerome Robbins & Robert Wise)

Stars: GC, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer. The clash of the Jets and the Sharks juxtaposed with poignant love story leads to tragic results. Note: On set the opposing gangs were not permitted to fraternize, despite this GC and RT became life long friends.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055614/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Diamond Head (USA, Jerry Bressler Productions, 1962,107 min., dir. Guy Green)

Stars GC, Charleton Heston, Yvette Mimieux, France Nuyen, James Darren.

Family drama of power, money, ethnic clashes and romance in lush exotic Hawaii.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055905/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Kings Of The Sun (USA, The Mirisch Company, 1963, 108 min., dir. J. Lee Thompson)

Stars GC, Yul Brynner, Shirley Anne Field

In ancient gulf of Mexico Mayans king and native American tribe of chief Black Eagle vie for power and love of the same woman. Exciting and entertaining though Natalie Wood warned GC about playing in period drama and the costumes.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057225/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

633 Squadron (UK/USA, Mirisch Films, 103 min., dir. Walter Grauman)

Stars: GC, Cliff Robertson, Maria Perschy

WWII 633 Squadron of the RAF is vital for strategy of Allied invasion of France and must destroy a German factory deep in a Norwegian fjord that's producing fuel for German rockets on an extremely dangerous mission. Suspenseful script by James Clavell, Howard Koch and Frederick E. Smith based on Smith’s novel that drew from actual experiences is underrated.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057811/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Young Girls of Rochefort (France, Parc Films & Madeleine Films, 125 min., G, dir. Jacques Demy)

Stars GC, Gene Kelly sisters Catherine Deneuve & Francois Dorleac, Miclele Picolli

Charming story of two sisters who leave their petite seaside town of Rochefort in search of romance. They are hired as carnival singers and love ensues; one enamored with an American musician, the other searching her ideal partner. Oscar nod for Best Score.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062873/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_34_act

Is Paris Burning? (USA, Marianne & Transcontinental films, 1966 173 min., dir. Rene Clement)

WWII “epic” – huge star cast includes GC, Jean Paul Belmondo, Glen Ford, Kirk Douglas, Leslie Caron, and more.

In August 1944 the Allies are approaching Paris with resistance groups planning an uprising against the Germans, though Hitler wants the city destroyed if it looks like the Allies will take it. Script by Gore Vidal, Dominique LaPierre & Larry Collins (based on their book). Two Academy Awardâ nods.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060814/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_35_act

More about George Chakiris and link for his jewelry design collection:

https://georgechakiris.com/

GC memoir My West Side Story

https://www.amazon.com/My-West-Side-Story-Memoir/dp/149305547X

(note in the “Kindle” version George narrates the introduction)

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Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020.

For more see:

(to look up films) www.imdb.com

www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)