The West Side Story Cast: Where Are The Stars Of The 1961 And 2021 Films Now? (2025 Update)
The enduring legacy of West Side Story continues to captivate audiences, a testament to the powerful storytelling of Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim. The iconic musical has seen two major film adaptations—the 1961 classic and Steven Spielberg’s vibrant 2021 remake—each launching a new generation of stars into the Hollywood stratosphere. As of December 2025, the careers of the 2021 cast members, particularly the breakout female leads, have exploded, securing their place among the industry's most sought-after talent, while the original cast members continue to be celebrated for their groundbreaking performances.
This deep dive explores the complete cast lists from both cinematic versions, highlighting the groundbreaking work of the original stars and providing the most current, up-to-date information on the 2021 ensemble's exciting 2025 projects, from major blockbusters to highly anticipated Broadway revivals. The contrast between the two casts reveals a fascinating evolution in Hollywood's approach to diversity and authenticity in casting the beloved Jets and Sharks.
Rachel Zegler: The New Maria and Her Explosive Biography & Filmography
Rachel Zegler, who was just 17 when she was cast as Maria Vasquez from an open call of over 30,000 applicants, became the undeniable breakout star of the 2021 adaptation. Her performance earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical, making her the youngest winner in that category. Her career trajectory since West Side Story has been one of the most exciting developments in modern Hollywood, with a slate of high-profile projects set for 2024 and 2025.
Rachel Zegler: Selected Filmography and Major Roles
- West Side Story (2021): Maria (Golden Globe Winner)
- Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023): Anthea
- The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023): Lucy Gray Baird (Lead Role)
- Y2K (2024): Laura (Upcoming Comedy-Drama)
- Snow White (2025): Snow White (Live-Action Disney Remake)
- She Gets It from Me (TBA): Upcoming comedy-drama with Marisa Tomei
In addition to her film work, Zegler made her highly anticipated Broadway debut in 2024, starring in a revival of *Romeo + Juliet*, further solidifying her status as a versatile performer capable of transitioning seamlessly between film, television, and the stage.
The 2021 Ensemble: Where Are the Jets and Sharks Now?
Steven Spielberg's commitment to casting ethnically appropriate actors and performers with genuine musical theater backgrounds resulted in a cast that not only brought authenticity to the Sharks but also launched the careers of several Broadway veterans and newcomers. The success of the 2021 film has propelled its main actors into major roles across various genres, proving the depth of talent discovered through this production.
Ariana DeBose (Anita)
Ariana DeBose, who portrayed Anita, delivered a powerhouse performance that earned her the Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and SAG Award for Best Supporting Actress. This historic win made her the first Afro-Latina and openly queer woman of color to win an acting Oscar. Following her sweep of awards season, DeBose has become a major figure in both film and theater.
Her current projects are highly diverse. She recently starred opposite Ke Huy Quan in the action-romance film LOVE HURTS. For 2025, she is scheduled to star in two feature films, *Lear Rex* and *Tow*. Furthermore, DeBose is returning to her stage roots, headlining the Classic Stage Company's production of *The Baker's Wife* from October to December 2025, showcasing her continued dedication to the theater.
Mike Faist (Riff)
Mike Faist, who played the charismatic and tragic Jets leader Riff, was already a Tony Award nominee for *Dear Evan Hansen* but achieved major film stardom with *West Side Story*. His career has since seen a massive upswing in profile.
In 2024, Faist starred in the critically acclaimed tennis drama *Challengers* alongside Zendaya and Josh O’Connor, a role that cemented his status as a leading man in contemporary cinema. Looking ahead, he is set to star in a new production of Eugene O'Neill's *Anna Christie* with Michelle Williams and has been cast in the highly anticipated limited television series *East of Eden*, an adaptation of the John Steinbeck novel.
Ansel Elgort (Tony)
Ansel Elgort took on the challenging role of Tony, the star-crossed lover. Prior to *West Side Story*, Elgort was known for roles in films like *The Fault in Our Stars* and *Baby Driver*. Post-2021, his career has taken a different turn, with him starring in the HBO Max crime drama series *Tokyo Vice*, which premiered in 2022. While he has been linked to potential sequels like *Baby Driver 2*, his recent work has focused more on television and international projects, maintaining a steady presence in the industry.
David Alvarez (Bernardo)
David Alvarez, who played Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks, is a Canadian dancer and actor who, like Faist, has a strong Broadway pedigree, having been one of the original "Billys" in *Billy Elliot the Musical*. After *West Side Story*, Alvarez has continued to pursue acting, with his performance in the film marking a significant return to the spotlight after a period of military service. His work in the film was praised for bringing a grounded intensity to the Sharks leader, a role that contrasts sharply with his background as a ballet dancer.
The Immortal Legacy of the 1961 West Side Story Cast
The original 1961 film cast, directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, set the benchmark for musical cinema and secured its own place in history, winning ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Rita Moreno: The Bridge Between Generations
The most unique entity connecting both films is the legendary Rita Moreno. She won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in the 1961 film, becoming the first Hispanic woman to win an Academy Award for acting. In the 2021 remake, Moreno returned not as a Shark girl, but as Valentina, a reimagined version of the character Doc, serving as a powerful mentor figure and an emotional bridge between the film versions. As of 2025, Moreno remains an active and celebrated actress, continuing to work in film and television, including her role in the film *80 for Brady* (2023) and the TV series *One Day at a Time*, cementing her status as one of the few EGOT winners.
George Chakiris (Bernardo) and Russ Tamblyn (Riff)
George Chakiris, who played the original Bernardo, also won an Academy Award for his performance, and Russ Tamblyn, who played Riff, was a major star of the era. Both actors have maintained a presence in Hollywood over the decades. Chakiris, a dancer and actor, has largely retired from acting but remains a celebrated figure in classic cinema. Tamblyn, known for his work in *Peyton Place* and *Twin Peaks*, continues to be an active voice and personality in the industry, often participating in retrospectives and discussions about the enduring impact of the original *West Side Story* on American culture.
The sheer star power and awards recognition across both casts—from the historic Oscars won by Moreno and Chakiris in 1962 to the Golden Globe and Oscar sweeps by Zegler and DeBose in 2022—underscore the musical’s power to discover and elevate extraordinary talent. The *West Side Story* cast members, past and present, stand as a remarkable collection of cinematic and theatrical legends.
Detail Author:
- Name : Patience Rath
- Username : eichmann.lesly
- Email : lavina39@gmail.com
- Birthdate : 1976-11-03
- Address : 40436 Joannie Mill Suite 427 Altheaberg, AZ 47098
- Phone : 984.962.3572
- Company : Fisher-Koepp
- Job : Naval Architects
- Bio : Et laboriosam deserunt architecto sint aliquid. Quia eum asperiores vel laudantium. Qui aut sapiente omnis aperiam occaecati assumenda ipsam.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/rhagenes
- username : rhagenes
- bio : Atque aut quis aliquam. Placeat libero optio natus magni. Eveniet omnis iure et beatae.
- followers : 991
- following : 1479
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@hagenesr
- username : hagenesr
- bio : Ad ex iste temporibus in.
- followers : 6653
- following : 1990
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/rubyhagenes
- username : rubyhagenes
- bio : Facere ea quo voluptatum error nulla. A et illo laborum sed unde porro.
- followers : 1162
- following : 2554
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/ruby1129
- username : ruby1129
- bio : Maiores aut in a veniam. Nostrum facere voluptatibus fuga fugit.
- followers : 1514
- following : 802
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/ruby_hagenes
- username : ruby_hagenes
- bio : Numquam accusantium laboriosam quia quasi.
- followers : 1242
- following : 1287
