Richard Skipper Celebrates My West Side Story: A Memoir with George Chakiris
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- Опубліковано 26 лис 2024
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"You will savor this story of a Greek boy in America who did well -- very well, indeed."
- Rita Moreno
George Chakiris' reclusive reputation has made him highly sought for interviews. Now, as he prepare to release his memoirs, entitled "MY WEST SIDE STORY," he opens up about life in and out of the spotlight.
Natalie Wood and “lovely” Richard Beymer, to the mercurial Jerome Robbins and “passionate” Rita Moreno, with whom Chakiris remains friends. “I know exactly where my gratitude belongs,” Chakiris writes, “and I still marvel at how, unbeknownst to me at the time, the joyful path of my life was paved one night in 1949 when Jerome Robbins sat Leonard Bernstein and Arthur Laurents down in his apartment and announced, 'I have an idea.'"
In 1947, Chakiris made his film debut in the chorus of Song of Love. Later he appeared in several 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 released in 1953. He again appeared as a dancer alongside Rosemary Clooney in “White Christmas” in “Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me.”
In 1961, George's biggest success came with the film West Side Story, for which he won the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Bernardo, leader of the Sharks. He had also appeared as Riff, leader of the Jets, in the West End in London. He starred as a doctor in the film Diamond Head released in 1962, opposite Charlton Heston and Yvette Mimieux, and in 1967, he appeared alongside Gene Kelly in Jacques Demy's French musical Les Demoiselles de Rochefort.
FROM THE SILVER SCREEN TO STERLING SILVER - George Chakiris, parlayed his talent from the Silver Screen to Sterling Silver Jewelry, featuring necklaces, bracelets, earrings, dramatic belts and more. Many of his designs have been inspired by colleagues such as Marilyn Monroe and Rosemarie Clooney, whom he had the privilege of dancing with, in "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" and "White Christmas" respectfully. Living a life with passion for the creative arts drew George quite by chance to jewelry making as a hobby. What began as a diversion became a full time appreciation for design and construction and a new creative outlet, which became The George Chakiris Collections. Chakiris recently unveiled his latest collection in Japan. The George Chakiris collections are now on display at Tokyo's prestigious Mitsukoshi Department Store as well as in America online at his georgechakiris.com. Among those artists seen on red carpets and national interviews such as The Today Show and CNN wearing George's accessory creations are Morgan Fairchild, Rita Moreno, Tippi Hedren, Loni Anderson, Carol Channing, Donna Mills, Romi Dames, Phyllis Diller, Alison Arngrim, Mary McDonough, Michael Learned and Judy Norton.
#richardskipper #westside #westsidestory
Richard, I've seen dozens of your shows and I must say they just get better and better! Not only can he act, sing and dance like a dream, George Chakiris is one of the most gorgeous creatures on earth! My favorite scene in "White Christmas" is the one where Rosemary Clooney sings "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me" and is surrounded by these handsome chorus boys - George, of course, being the most handsome of all! Besides the fabulous "West Side Story" I've seen a lot of the movies he's made, and now to hear him tell these interesting stories about his career, I'm enthralled! Thank you, George, for sharing your great gift with all of us!
Kudos also to the Super-talented Chuck Pennington for his BRILLIANT montages. He's a gem!
I really enjoyed this presentation I probably have watched it over 20 times George is extremely gifted -to be able to sing to dance to act to teach and do these all at over 100% is absolutely fantastic when he partners he makes the girls seem as light as a feather no effort no one does the pivots interns like he can he is delicious fantastic generous kind a good human being. And now he is even an author and a silversmith designer and makes his own jewelry he can sing in French he can sing in Greek he can act in Japanese wow George is my favorite person in the whole world and I wish him total happiness!!
,:, thank you Richard !
George Chakiris was my first movie star crush when I was 10 years old and blown away by West Side Story. How wonderful to see him in all those marvelous clips from the past, but even more so to see him today as the terrific human being that he so obviously is. Loving and humble. It always seems to me that the most gifted and accomplished among us are often the most humble. Thankyou Richard for your great interviewing (an art in itself). How about an interview with Grover Dale?
Patty, I have a pretaped interview with Grover Dale in the hopper...Just waiting for when his people desire it to be released. Thanks for watching AND commenting! Now, how can I celebrate YOU today?
Great interview, thank you for the wonderful video. I loved to see G. Chakiris in West Side Story many years ago and recently in TV, also several times in youtube, his character in this film was stupendous his acting was grand and his extraordinary dancing could well be compared to the great Gene Kelly. In my teens I saw that film 10 times, five in my Country the other five in London where Iived many years ago. Lets hope George will receive more honours and tributes he still deserves. Thank you George for the pleasure you gave your fans with your grand dancing in W.S.S. and for the beautiful human being you certainly are.
Thank you so much Maria for watching AND for commenting! I hope that you will subscribe to this channel and check out the other artists I celebrate here. How did you find this channel? Now, what can I do for YOU today?
@@RichardSkipperCelebrates That's alright Richard, thank you four your offer, but for me is more than enough wachting videos of my favorite actors/singers/ dancers, this is what I most love to wacht either on TV or on UA-cam. I found your channel when I saw a video where G. Chakiris was going to be interviewed. I love that film so much that I keep viewing parts of it appearing in several channels. That´s what I have been doing the last days. Thank you Richard for your nice comment.
@@mariagenovesa3772 Let me Entertain You. Please subscribe and keep letting me know how I'm doing! Anything you can do to help spread the word is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
This was beautiful to watch. Thank you for showing us and George his amazing life and career. He looks genuinely happy and touched watching the clips. He deserves to be celebrated, what a wonderful man
This was a pleasure to watch! Richard, you are a great interviewer, never interrupting your guest, listening intently and knowing your subject. Your assistant who put the montage together did such a wonderful job! And of course i've been in love with Ceorge Chakiris forever! He should have been a bigger star than what he was! I guess they just didn't know what to do with someone so talented - singer, dancer, actor and wonderful in all areas!
Glad you enjoyed it! Today is George's Birthday! Please pay it forward...
What an incredible interview! George Chakiris in the West Side Story was so powerful and intense! Richard you’ve out the best! Again!
George Chakiris a true Universal Man.. He recently sent me his Autograph.. I Just brought his Autobiography.. Can’t wait to start it Richard Skipper your channel is Electric!!!
Thank you, Andrew! Thanks for watching AND commenting! I hope that you will subscribe if you haven't done so already. Now, what can I do for YOU today?
@@RichardSkipperCelebrates Already subscribed..And keep up the Fantastic Content
Fabulous!!!
Richard. You’re absolutely delightful. Love and hugs.
Thank you kindly. Anything you can do to help spread the word is greatly appreciated. Now, what can I do for YOU today?
Hello from the UK. This is such a great interview; it’s beautifully done. Mr. Chakiris seems such a lovely man and so gifted. Thank you! Very best wishes to you all.
Glad you enjoyed it! Please pay it forward...
Man, what a great interview ‼️
I really enjoyed the conversation, the history, and the movie clips. Truly beautiful treat‼️
Excellent interview 👏
Thank you so much for watching AND for commenting. How did you find this interview?
I love George Chakiris, most handsome actor. I have been a fan since I went to the movies to see West Side Story. What a terrific performance. You deserved the Oscar. My family & I are very proud of you. Yasou George' wishing you all the very best in life.
George Chakiris ~ my life time idol, watched all about him on all you tubes I could find. Wished he had a better manager when he won his Oscar.
What did you think of the interview?
@@RichardSkipperCelebrates great👍👍
Thank you, Barbara! I hope you will subscribe and check out some of the other videos here
George, you and I were beautiful friends in my mind. I was so taken with you in WSS - I have never forgotten you. By this interview, I have a feel for the real you. Best to you my old friend.
HisPivots and turns leaves me breathless and then West side story when he went from second position with the leg extended as high as the Empire State building wow
So great. Everything. The clips, the interview, getting to know Mr. Chakiris a little. Thanks to all!
I'm listening to My West Side Story and finding this interview has really enhanced my experience with the audible edition of George Chakiris' memoir. I saw West Side Story as a young teen with my best friend who is Puerto Rican. And, of course, we crushed on Bernardo! Seeing that movie, learning the songs, and inventing our own choreography was a highlight of my life! My own children know the first line of most of the songs and at least the finger-snapping of the dancing. Gotta start introducing the movie to my grandchildren now! Thanks so much for this interview!
Thank you so much, Gloria! I love the #Humor of George! What did you like MOST about the interview? How did you find this interview?
I always likes him from his dance with Marilyn to the present....I remember watching the.night he won the Academy award for best supporting actor in West side story....he looked the best in White Christmas in the song with Rosemary Clooney "Love , you didn't Do Right By Me".....fantastic
Love George Chakiris - the romantic, passionate leading man in West Side Story!
Thanks to both of you!
Another great interview Richard - you are so good at it too!!!
Great interview! I'm a classic movie buff and have always enjoyed spotting George in his early dancing roles, so I loved all the clips you showed- I never knew or would have got he was an extra in "How to Marry a Millionaire" though, even after seeing the film several times- great job!
Thank you. How did you find this video?
@@RichardSkipperCelebrates I think it was suggested after I watched some other videos with George in them.
@@slc2466 I'm glad you find this. I hope that you will check out some of the other content here
Wonderful interview!
Wonderful interview Richard, great conversation, keep this showcase going, cheers.
More to come!Thank you! Always keep the #Humor! Aloha and Mahalo. Please pay it forward. Now, what can I do for YOU today?
@@RichardSkipperCelebrates Keep on producing good Content Richard, cheers. 👍
@@Healthsteps247health Thank you so much! The word for the day is #Inclusion! Anything you can do to help spread the word for this channel is greatly appreciated. Check out my interview with #ConnieFrancis and others and please pay it forward...
I’ve had a crush on him ever since I saw Rosemary Clooney lean on that beautiful man! I had no idea who he was but I do now! Lol George is still beautiful! What a life this man lived! Awesome interview!
Thank you, Matthew! How did you find this channel? I hope you will consider subscribing. Please tune in later. I'm being interviewed by #SandyDuncan. Now, what can I do for YOU today? #Integrity
♥ !!!
A 90-year-old man looking like he's in his 40s...
Are you referring to George or me?