Orlando Sentinel (Sunday)

Moreno proud of career longevity

- By Peter Sblendorio

Rita Moreno and her “80 for Brady” co-stars had to call an audible.

Production for the comedy film about football-loving friends in or around their 80s began last March, shortly after Tom Brady retired from the NFL for the first time. He announced his comeback soon after, causing the movie’s makers to sack one of the film’s final moments.

“We didn’t expect, any of us, that he would un-quit football,” Moreno said with a laugh. “We had to rewrite a whole scene at the end. We had already shot (the) scene, but it didn’t make any sense because he suddenly unretired.”

Moreno, 91, is no stranger to unexpected plot twists. The Puerto Rican actor paved her own way, breaking down Hollywood barriers as the first Latina to win an Oscar and appearing in nearly 200 movies, shows and Broadway production­s.

She co-headlines “80 for Brady,” now in theaters, with Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Sally Field. Based on a true story, the film depicts four Brady fanatics who travel to Houston to watch the New England Patriots in 2017’s Super Bowl.

“It’s important to think of how four ladies of very specific ages have had a friendship for years and years and are real fans of football,” Moreno said. “People somehow don’t make those connection­s. That’s part of what makes it delicious. It’s part of what makes it moving. It’s part of what makes it really, really funny. These people know their football.”

Playing the group’s Maura was a natural fit for Moreno, a longtime football fan who rooted for the Patriots before she was cast. She was thrilled to meet Brady, who appears

in the film. Brady retired again this month, this time “for good,” he said.

Moreno’s portrayal of Anita in 1961’s “West Side Story” film proved to be her breakthrou­gh role, earning her the Academy Award for best supporting actress. She is known as well for performanc­es on PBS’ “The Electric Company” and HBO’s “Oz,” and her return as a shopkeeper in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation of “West Side Story.”

Through it all, she has remained a champion for Latino representa­tion in Hollywood. “That means everything,” Moreno said. “It reminds people … that there is an entire Hispanic culture in the profession that doesn’t get used enough. I do believe that we are seriously underrepre­sented, and I don’t know that I’ll ever see the end of that.”

In 1977, Moreno became the third person to achieve EGOT status as the recipient

of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. Only 15 others have since joined the exclusive club.

None of those honors compare to what Moreno considers her proudest accomplish­ment.

“Longevity,” Moreno said. “Still being here at the age of 91, and not only still being here but working. Working is everything. No matter how many awards you’ve got, if you don’t have the work then you’re not doing what you love most in the world. And this is what I love doing most in the world.”

Feb. 12 birthdays: Actor Joe Don Baker is 87. Actor Maud Adams is 78. Guitarist Steve Hackett is 73. Singer Michael McDonald is 71. Actor Joanna Kerns is 70. Comedian Arsenio Hall is 67. Actor John Michael Higgins is 60. Actor Josh Brolin is 55. Rapper Gucci Mane is 43. Actor Christina Ricci is 43. Actor Jennifer Stone is 30.

 ?? VALERIE MACON/GETTY-AFP ?? Rita Moreno, who stars as Maura, attends the Jan. 31 premiere of “80 For Brady” in Los Angeles.
VALERIE MACON/GETTY-AFP Rita Moreno, who stars as Maura, attends the Jan. 31 premiere of “80 For Brady” in Los Angeles.

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