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Rita Moreno and George Chakiris Winners of Best Supporting Actor Oscars for "West Side Story" - More Posters & Photos »
Chakiris made his film debut in 1947 and for several years he appeared in 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 (1953) and also appeared as a dancer alongside Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas.
His biggest success came with the film West Side Story (1961), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Chakiris has also appeared on Broadway and television, and in the early 1960s embarked on a career as a pop singer which resulted in a couple of minor hit songs.
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George Chakiris Facts
| Birth Name | George Chakiris |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Birthday | September 16, 1934 (74) |
| Sign | Virgo |
| Birthplace | Norwood, Ohio, USA |
| Height | 5' 11" (1m80) |
| Awards | 1962 Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor (for West Side Story) |
| 1962 Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture (for West Side Story) |