This slim, attractive performer made a huge hit in the 1961 musical "West Side Story", but was never able to capitalize on his success. The Ohio-born son of Greek immigrants, George Chakiris had the dark good looks read by Hollywood as "Latin Lover". He started his career in films and TV in 1953, as a chorus boy in "Give a Girl a Break". He danced in "There's No Business Like Show Business" (as one of Marilyn Monroe's Heat Wave boys) and "Brigadoon" (both 1954), and appeared in the CBS special "You're the Top" (1956) before getting his big break.Cast as Bernardo, the Puerto Rican gang member
