At The Movies With Timeless Terpsichorean George Chakiris By Contributor Stephanie Mardesich
We (Los Angeles County Supervisor and I) had the pleasure of our (almost) annual dinner with a true Hollywood star Academy Award(®) winner George Chakiris, at renowned Musso & Frank Grill (105 years old) in the heart of Hollywood. .September 16 is the legendary actor’s 93rd birthday and he’s as handsome, charming and humble as ever.
The son of immigrant Greek parents and one of six siblings, 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 and the Greek Hellenic Choir Club. 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.
We met in at some musical theatre opening nights at The Pantages prior to 2009 when the LA Harbor International Film Festival presented West Side Story (WSS) commemorating the 50th anniversary of the classic musical film at the Hollywood Nostalgia Tribute (HNT), and honored him and co-star Russ Tamblyn at the HNT Red Carpet Gala. George received the Oscar(®) for Best Supporting Actor for his dynamic performance as “Bernardo” in WSS the stupendous ten time Academy Award(®) winning 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 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 renowned Papadakis Taverna where host/owner John Papadakis greeted him like his cousin. When George viewed the poster with the first rendition of the iconic “Cinematic Bridge” by eminent photographer Peter Read Miller, his reaction was “it’s fabulous, it’s your ‘brand’, don’t change it” and LAHIFF took his sage advice and ever after have used it as key art re-imagined each year since to reflect the programming content. Our friendship has continued over the years with great affection.
After his stellar turn in WSS George 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.
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.
Major television appearances include the Ed Sullivan Show, Carol Burnett Show, Andy Williams Show and Tonight Show with Johnny Carson; and special appearance with iconic Greek singing star Nana Mouskouri in television specials. He has had recurring appearances in numerous popular 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 co-starr with revered 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 had the privilege of wearing one of his 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 legions of fans domestically and abroad, a busy agenda, makes many personal appearances, and invited to international events vis a vis WSS in particular. For all his acclaim he is a very humble individual who cares deeply for humanity, loves his family, dogs, and a truly genuine and delightful gentleman.
By the way our waiter at Musso Frank was ‘Theo” of Greek heritage who enjoyed conversing in his native language with George, whose favorite item on the menu is the hot turkey sandwich – you have to ask for it. At dinner I asked George to name three of his three of his favorite films. Get your popcorn ready.
West Side Story (USA, 1961, 153 min., directors Jerome Robbins & Robert Wise)
The clash of the Jets and the Sharks juxtaposed with poignant love story of Maria and Tony; and Bernardo and Anita, leads to tragic results. Stars: GC, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer. The timeless score and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim continue to enthrall.
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
Young Girls of Rochefort (France, Parc Films & Madeleine Films, 125 min., G, dir. Jacques Demy)
Charming story of fraternal twin sisters dancing teacher Delphine Garnier (Catherine Deneuve) and composer/pianist Solange Garnier (Francoise Dorleac) the actresses real-life sisters) who leave their petite seaside town of Rochefort in search of romance. They are hired as carnival performers after meeting Etienne (George Chakiris) and love ensues; one enamored with an American musician Andy Miller (Gene Kelly) , the other searching her ideal partner. Oscar(®) nod for Michel LeGrande (Demy wrote lyrics) for Best Score.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062873/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_34_act
Bebo’s Girl
(Italy/France; Compagnie Cinématographique de France, Sicilia Cinematografica, Ultra Film; 1964, 106 min., dir. Luigi Comencini)
Country girl Maria (Claudia Cardinale) a small town in the Val d'Elsa, who, in the aftermath of the Liberation, meets the partisan Bube, Arturo Cappellini, aka Bebe/Bebo (George Chakiris) hero of the Resistance, falls in love, follows him, and stands by him even when sentenced for crimes.
Note: GC thought this took great imagination to adapt the historical fiction novel by Italian writer Carlo Cassola published in 1960 and was awarded that year’s Premio Strega. Its initial reception was enthusiastic and an English translation by Marguerite Waldman was published in 1962 as Bebo’s Girl. By 1995 the original had been through in 14 editions. He was delighted to work with Claudia Cardinale who he describes as exceptional talent and true beauty.
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn (l,), George Chakiris, Stephanie Mardesich (r )dining in Musso & Frank Grill "Ernest Hemingway Booth" September 7, 2025
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)
More about Musso Frank Grill
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