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George Chakiris: A Star 48 Years After His Oscar (VIDEO)

In 1962, George Chakiris' portrayal of Bernardo intook the silver screen by storm, earning him an Academy Award. George talked to me about life lived under and out of the spotlight.
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Actor, Tony-nominated producer, collector, civic activist, and tastemaker

Actor, Tony-nominated producer, collector, civic activist, and tastemaker
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I can't imagine Hollywood without the Academy Awards, but still, they bug me - just a little.

It must be my habitual romancing of Hollywood's past that makes me long to watch the annual elegant escapade under the soft tone of a 1950's broadcast in burnished black and white. I suspect the undeniably smug attitude of Hollywood's big night was barely received on grandma's gold-toned rabbit ears. Still, celebrities will be stars, and smug, or modest, it's an education to reflect on a star 48 years after the big night.

In 1962, George Chakiris' portrayal of Bernardo in West Side Story took the silver screen by storm, earning him an Academy Award. Forty-eight years later George talked to me about life lived under, next to, and out of the spotlight.

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