George Chakiris
Biography
George Chakiris (born September 16, 1934) is an American dancer and Academy Award winning film actor. Chakiris was born in Norwood, Ohio to immigrants from Greece. He made his film debut in 1947. For several years he appeared in 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 (1953) and also appeared as a dancer alongside Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas. He can also be seen in the "Chop Suey" number in the musical film Flower Drum Song. His biggest success came with the film West Side Story (1961), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Bernardo. He also had a starring role as a doctor in the film Diamond Head opposite Charlton Heston and Yvette Mimieux in 1963. He also acted (along with Gene Kelly) in Jacques Demy's French musical Les Demoiselles de Rochefort (1967). Chakiris has also appeared on Broadway and television. In the early 1960s, he embarked on a career as a pop singer which resulted in a couple of minor hit songs (In 1960, he recorded one single with legendary producer Joe Meek). Chakiris had a recurring role on the popular TV show Superboy as Professor Peterson during the series' first two seasons from 1988-1990. Chakiris last acted in a 1996 episode of the sitcom Last of the Summer Wine and has given occasional television interviews since then. He is mostly retired and has taken up jewelery making as an occupation.
West Side Story
Bernardo
633 Squadron
Lt. Erik Bergman
The Young Girls of Rochefort
Etienne
Pale Blood
Michael Fury
Diamond Head
Dr. Dean Kahana
The Big Cube
Johnny Allen
Bebo's Girl
Arturo Cappellini, detto 'Bube'
Il ladro della Gioconda
Vincent
A Date With Death
Haghios
The Day the Hot Line Got Hot
Eric Ericson
Dream Girl: The Making of Marilyn Monroe
Self
Not to Forget
Bank Manager
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
Self
And the Oscar Goes To...
Himself (archive footage)
Corman's World: Exploits Of A Hollywood Rebel
Bernardo (archive footage) (uncredited)
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History
Self
Les demoiselles ont eu 25 ans
Himself (archive footage)
Pale Blood
Michael Fury
Superboy - The Complete First Season
Professor Peterson (8 episodes, 1989-1990)
Jekyll & Hyde... Together Again
George Chakiris
The Savage Curse
Robert Stone
The Big Cube
Johnny Allen
The Day the Hot Line Got Hot
Eric Ericson
The Young Girls of Rochefort
Etienne
Is Paris Burning?
GI in Tank (as Georges Chakiris)
Il ladro della Gioconda
Vincent
A Date With Death
Haghios
Wir warten in Ashiya
2nd Lt. John Gregg
Bebo's Girl
Arturo Cappellini, detto 'Bube'
633 Squadron
Lt. Erik Bergman
Kings of the Sun
Balam
Diamond Head
Dr. Dean Kahana
West Side Story
Bernardo
Meet Me in Las Vegas
Young Groom (as George Kerris)
The Girl Rush
Chorus Boy in 'Hillbilly Heart' Number
There’s No Business Like Show Business
Dancer (uncredited)
The Country Girl
Dancer with pick (uncredited)
White Christmas
Dancer at the Carousel Club (uncredited)
Brigadoon
Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
Give a Girl a Break
Dancer (uncredited)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T
Dancer (as George Kerris)
President's Lady, The
Nashville Party Guest (uncredited)
Stars and Stripes Forever
Ballroom Dancer (uncredited)
The Great Caruso
Dancer (uncredited)
Song of Love
Choir Boy (as George Kerris)
