George Chakiris is an American actor, dancer, and singer. He was born on September 16, 1934, in Norwood, Ohio. He is best known for his role as Bernardo in the 1961 musical film “West Side Story,” for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Chakiris started his career as a dancer and appeared in several musicals and stage productions in the 1950s. He made his film debut in the 1953 musical “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and went on to appear in several other films, including “White Christmas” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” In addition to his work in film, Chakiris has also appeared in numerous television shows, including “Hawaii Five-O,” “Dallas,” and “Murder, She Wrote.” He has also performed on stage in several productions, including the Broadway musical “The Boys from Syracuse.” Chakiris retired from acting in the 1990s but has occasionally made appearances on television and in films. He remains a respected figure in the entertainment industry and continues to be remembered for his iconic performance in “West Side Story.” #georgechakiris #westsidestory #jonathanbaker

Beverly Hills, CA , March 17, 2023 – Jonathan Baker’s Annual Oscar Viewing Party, presented in collaboration with French Riviera Film Festival and Indie Entertainment Media (IEM), was held on the eve of March 12 at Baker Manor in Beverly Hills, at the stunning estate that was once home to Warren Beatty. Elvis is Oscar was the theme of the evening and the cover feature of IEM. Joining hosts Jonathan and Jenny Baker, and FRFF co-founders Nicole Goesseringer Muj and Gotham Chandna, were Oscar-winner George Chakiris, E! founder Larry Namer, Dee Dee Sorvino (wife of late Paul Sorvino), Consul General of Croatia in Los Angeles Renee Pea, Caroline Lagerfelt (Sweet Magnolias, Gossip Girl) and Anneliese Judge (Sweet Magnolias), Kat Kramer, Vincent de Paul, Carolyn Hennesy, Frederico Lapenda, fashion designer Sue Wong, founder Pure Flix David A.R. White, Celeste Thorson, Josie Goldberg, Kash Hovey, Dustin Quick and Medi eM, Shalini Vadhera-Potts and Tony Potts, designer Sameyha Rawjee, and many others. Also on the eve, fellow Brooklynite Larry Namer presented the 2023 FRFF Icon Award to Dee Dee Sorvino, in honor of her late husband, legendary actor Paul Sorvino. The presentation was made prior to Sunday’s live telecast that sadly overlooked the famous actor in its “in memoriam” segment.