West Side Story CAST Then & Now (1961 - 2021)

West Side Story is the award-winning adaptation of the classic romantic tragedy "Romeo and Juliet". The feuding families become two warring New York City gangs--the white Jets led by Riff and the Latino Sharks, led by Bernardo. Their hatred escalates to a point where neither can coexist with any form of understanding.

Richard Beymer is 82.
He will always be the young, handsome Tony to me.
I saw George Chakiris at a book signing in May 2021. He looked great, charming as ever.

[troyannbladsacker]

Thank you for posting this. Really enjoyed it. West Side Story 1961 has always been my favorite movie.

[chrismcevoy]

Rest In Peace Natalie Wood (1938-1981)

[chocolatcats]

I remember being young, and seeing this when it came out 1961. Magnificent

[seansherrod]

Wow, this was GREAT! This is how ALL "Then and Now" videos should be done, EXCELLENT JOB!

[joewhitehead]

Pretty cool how some of the cast is still alive

[carolynleblanc]

One of the best musicals I've ever seen.

[estellegold]

West Side Story was the fa
vorite show and music ever of my late husband and we played the album all the time - still have it - the original cast.

[mauriciobacuss]

Thanks very much, this transportes me back yo My days in N Y, . I am crying , gracias

[carolwilliams]

Richard was 82 in 2021. I've followed his career since I was 14. My father worked at the Hollywood Citizen News for over 40 years and worked with Richard's dad, Dick Beymer.

[jamesflynn]

Hi - great idea and I enjoyed the stories. Your math went a bit astray with the two major male stars: Russ Tamblyn, 27 in 1961 would be 87 now - not 77. And Richard Beymer, similarly, being 22 in 1961 would be 82 now NOT 72. Still looking good tho. Cheers. JC

[woofytwoshoes]

Rita Moreno was an absolute knockout in West Side Story.

[barbaratang]

George Chakiris was my number one idol ever since the 1st time I watched WSS, after watching it for about 150 times, he still is my number 1 idol.

[RolandD-uxhw]

What happen to the girl playing Anybody's. Nothing comes up on a search.

[annetteathanasatos]

George Chakiris, what a great actor and dancer. I remembered watching the Academy Awards, when they said his

[robertwright]

Tamblyn and Beymers dates are incorrect, but liked the content!

[Paul-lmgv]

Nice. But Richard Beymer (3:20) - who played Tony - can't be 22 in 1961 and 72 in 2021! It was 60 years later.

[Juliaflo]

Bobby Banas, who played Joyboy in the film, recently passed away at age 90.

[timothysmith]

You are missing Harvey (Honecker) Evans, who, performed in both the Broadway and movie of WSS. He’s actually in the freeze frame of the confrontation on the basketball court. Harvey is a Jet and, starting at the basketball, and, going towards photo right, Harvey is the 5th Jet on the right. Harvey Evans has worked continually in all mediums, but, especially Broadway and B’way National Tours. Look for his extensive credits on IBDB and IMDB. I believe he is now @ 86 years old.

[asktheupgrade]

Good work and thank you!

However, 1961 to 2021 is 60 years, as such, the following actors are listed incorrectly:

- Riff is listed @ 27 in 1961 and 77 in 2021, should be 87
- Tony is listed @ 22 in 1961 and 72 in 2021, should be 82

Rita Moreno’s birthday 🎂 is on Dec 11th, so she will be 90 in a few weeks. However, that one would be correct in a few weeks 🇵🇷