George Chakiris ”Care, Peace, Love & Respect”

Academy Award & Golden Globe winner, George Chakiris, is perhaps best known internationally for his role of Bernardo in West Side Story. In Nov of 2012, Chakiris received what many refer to as the highest honor in Hollywood - His Hand & Foot Prints were placed in cement for all history in connection with the 50th anniversary of classic film West Side Story which premiered at Grauman's over 50 years ago. 

George Chakiris was born in Norwood, Ohio. He is the son of Steven and Zoe Chakiris. They were immigrants from Greece.  A graduate of the American School of Dance, Chakiris recalls the early days of passing the Grauman's Chinese Theatre, "where the worlds most glamorous people were seen," never thinking that one day he would be attending his own premiere for "Westside Story" (For which he received a Golden Globe and an Academy Award) and eventually, in Dec, 2011, would have his hand and foot prints placed in the famous forecourt, among those whom he had idolized.

In 1947, Chakiris made his film debut in the chorus of Song of Love. Later he appeared in several 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 released in 1953. He again appeared as a dancer alongside Rosemary Clooney in "White Christmas" in "Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me."

In 1961, George's biggest success came with the film West Side Story, for which he won the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Bernardo, leader of the Sharks.  He had also appeared as Riff, leader of the Jets, in the West End in London. He starred as a doctor in the film Diamond Head released in 1963, opposite Charlton Heston and Yvette Mimieux, and in 1967, he appeared alongside Gene Kelly in Jacques Demy's French musical Les Demoiselles de Rochefort.

Besides films, Chakiris performed on Broadway and for television. In the early 1960s, he embarked on a career as a pop singer, resulting in a couple of minor hit songs. In 1960, he recorded one single with noted producer Joe Meek. George worked more in television in the 1970s and 1980s, appearing on such shows as Wonder Woman, Medical Center, Hawaii Five-O, Dallas, Murder, She Wrote and the TV daytime drama Santa Barbara In Superboy, he appeared as Professor Peterson during the series first two seasons from 1988-1990. Chakiris's last role to date was in a 1996 episode of the sitcom Last of the Summer Wine.

FROM THE SILVER SCREEN TO STERLING SILVER -  George Chakiris, parlayed his talent from the Silver Screen to Sterling Silver Jewelry, featuring necklaces, bracelets, earrings, dramatic belts and more.  Many of his designs have been inspired by colleagues such as Marilyn Monroe and Rosemarie Clooney, whom he had the privelege of dancing with, in "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" and "White Christmas" respectfully.  Living a life with passion for the creative arts drew George quite by chance to jewelry making as a hobby. What began as a diversion became a full time appreciation for design and construction and a new creative outlet, which became The George Chakiris Collections.   Chakiris recently unveiled his latest collection in Japan.  The George Chakiris collections are now on display at Tokyo's prestigious Mitsukoshi Department Store as well as in America online at his georgechakiris.com. Among those artists seen on red carpets and national interviews such as The Today Show and CNN wearing George's accessory creations are Morgan Fairchild, Rita Moreno, Tippi Hedren, Loni Anderson, Carol Channing, Donna Mills, Romi Dames, Phyllis Diller, Alison Arngrim, Mary McDonough, Michael Learned and Judy Norton.