George Chakiris
Biography
George Chakiris (born September 16, 1932) is an American dancer, singer and actor. He is best known for his role as Bernardo in the 1961 film version of West Side Story, which earned him an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Prior to West Side Story, Chakiris appeared uncredited in many musicals such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), White Christmas (1954), and Brigadoon (1954) as a dancer or chorus member. After West Side Story, he had starring roles in several lesser-known critical and commercial failures such as Diamond Head (1962), Kings of the Sun (1963), and The High Bright Sun (1965). On stage, his most notable role was as Bobby in the first national tour of Stephen Sondheim's Company. He had guest roles in many television series throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including appearances on Dallas, Superboy, and the series finale of The Patridge Family. Chakiris emerged from retirement to act in the film Not to Forget (2021), which aims to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease.
Known For
Bernardo
West Side Story
GI in Tank
Paris brûle-t-il?
Dancer (uncredited)
There's No Business Like Show Business
Dancer (song "Chop Suey") (uncredited)
Flower Drum Song
Lieutenant Erik Bergman
633 Squadron
Michael Fury
Pale Blood
Self
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
Balam
Kings of the Sun
Johnny Allen
The Big Cube
Bube
La ragazza di Bube
Dancer
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.
Young Groom
Meet Me in Las Vegas
Dancer
Give a Girl a Break
2nd Lt. John Gregg
Flight from Ashiya
Dr. Dean Kahana
Diamond Head
Haghios
The High Bright Sun
Eric Ericson
Le rouble à deux faces
Vincent
On a volé la Joconde
Self (archive footage)
Les demoiselles ont eu 25 ans
Pvt. Steiner
Under Fire
Dancer (uncredited)
Brigadoon
Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
Brigadoon
Pierre
Return to Fantasy Island
Choir Boy
Song of Love
Larry Curado
Two and Two Make Six
George Chakiris
Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again
Dancer (uncredited)
The Great Caruso
Dancer
The Girl Rush
Dancer (uncredited)
White Christmas
Self
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Bernardo
That's Dancing!
George Clark
Why Not Stay For Breakfast?
The Caliph
Kismet
Etienne
Les Demoiselles de Rochefort
Robert Bowman
Sharon vestida de rojo
Bank Manager
Not to Forget
Robert Stone
Kiss Me and Die
Dancer in The Ocarina Number (uncredited)
Call Me Madam
(archive footage)
Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1960's
Self
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories
Self
Achter het scherm: Les demoiselles de Rochefort
Dancer in Play (uncredited)
The Country Girl
Self - Guest Speaker
Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
44
Gender
Male
Birthday
1932-09-16
Place of Birth
Norwood, Ohio, USA
Also Known As
George Chakaris