California Museum

Q&A with Rita Moreno

The remarkable life of Rita Moreno is the ultimate West side story. Having arrived in California from her native Puerto Rico by way of New York as a teenager, she became, along with the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Mel Brooks, one of only a handful of artists—and the only Hispanic—to win all four major entertainment awards: the Oscar, the Tony, the Grammy and the Emmy (two, as a matter of fact). And the 76-year-old actress isn’t done yet. Not only is she starring in the CBS freshman drama Cane, the Berkeley resident becomes a member of the sophomore class inducted into the California Hall of Fame at the California Museum this December. “This is an exhibit of individuals who march to their own drummer and inspire us,” says Hall of Fame creator Maria Shriver. “And Rita is a pioneer and a true inspiration.”