Origins & Early Life

George Chakiris (born September 16, 1932) is an American actor and dancer. He is best known for his appearance in the 1961 film version of West Side Story as Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks gang, for which he won both the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. Chakiris was born on September 16, 1932, in Norwood, Ohio, to Stelianos (Steve) and Zoe (née Anastasiadou) Chakiris, Greek immigrants from Turkey. He is one of eight siblings.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His family moved to Long Beach, California, in 1944. He attended Jefferson Junior High school and was graduated in 1950 from Woodrow Wilson Classical High School, both in Long Beach. Chakiris attended one year at Long Beach City College, but wanted to pursue a career in dance, so he dropped out and moved to Hollywood. He worked in the advertising department of May Company California, a department store, and studied dance at night. Chakiris made his film debut at age 15 in 1947 in the chorus of Song of Love.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

For several years he appeared in small roles, usually as a dancer or a member of the chorus in various musical films,...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abebe Bikila — Contemporary (Born in 1932) (1932): Ethiopian Olympic marathon champion, known for his barefoot victories in Rome and Tokyo.
• Alvin Plantinga — Contemporary (Born in 1932) (1932): Leading American philosopher and theologian known for Reformed epistemology.
• Andrei Tarkovsky — Contemporary (Born in 1932) (1932): Master of metaphysical cinema, known for slow pacing and spiritual depth.
• Anthony Padilla — Shared historical date (09-16 · Born) (1987): Pioneering American YouTuber, co-founder of Smosh, known for sketch comedy.
• B. B. King — Shared historical date (09-16 · Born) (1925): Pioneering electric blues master, nicknamed 'The King of the Blues'.
• Anouk Aimée — Historical peer (Born in 1932) (1932): Iconic French actress known for her captivating roles from the 1940s to 2010s.
• Anthony Perkins — Historical peer (Born in 1932) (1932): Iconic American actor, famed for portraying Norman Bates in Psycho.
• Aaron Sorkin — Historical peer (Born in 1961) (1961): Master of fast-paced dialogue, known for 'walk and talk' storytelling.
• Abhijit Banerjee — Historical peer (Born in 1961) (1961): Pioneering economist known for evidence-based global poverty alleviation research.
• Aimee Semple McPherson — Historical peer (Died in 1944) (1944): Pioneering Pentecostal evangelist, famous for founding the Foursquare Church.
• 1932 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1932
• September 16 (09-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 16