George Chakiris
I had a recording contract with Capitol Records. I loved recording and being in that studio. I made four albums.
If you buy a lottery ticket, you really don't expect to win. However, if you do win, it's a different story. The same is true about getting an Oscar. Of course I knew I was nominated, but I never expected my name to be called. When it was, I'm still at a loss to describe the feelings that I experienced.
It sounds corny to say, but we're like a family. That experience for all of us really created a bond... The 'West Side Story' experience, it really is a family. There's a closeness that has continued.
I don't believe I was jinxed or hexed by winning an Academy Award in my first picture, 'West Side Story'.
As far as dancing was concerned, I always wanted to do it. To actually be performing was thrilling for me.