Tony Mordente dead at 88: Original West Side Story actor on stage and 1961 film passes away five months after ex-wife Chita Rivera

Actor and choreographer Tony Mordente has died at the age of 88.

The performer – famous for his role as A-Rab in the original musical version of West Side Story and Jet Action in the 1961 film – died on Tuesday in Henderson, Nevada, his family confirmed.

He was married to his West Side Story co-star Chita Rivera, who played Anita, from 1957 to 1966. They shared a daughter, Lisa Mordente, 65. Rivera died in January at the age of 91.

He said in a 1963 interview: ‘A jet plane marrying a shark. It was quite something.’

West Side Story icon Tony Mordente (end right) has died aged 88 – he played Jet Action in the 1961 film

The artist – who died on Tuesday in Henderson, Nevada, his family confirmed – was pictured with ex-wife and Anita star Chita Rivera and their daughter Lisa in 2007

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