The West Side Story Cast: Where Are Steven Spielberg's Stars Now? (2025 Update)

The *West Side Story* (2021) cast has seen an explosion of success since Steven Spielberg’s vibrant adaptation hit the big screen. The film, a stunning cinematic achievement featuring a screenplay by renowned playwright Tony Kushner, was a critical darling, securing seven nominations at the 94th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and earning Ariana DeBose an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. As of December 2025, the careers of the Jets and Sharks have soared, with major roles in Broadway, blockbuster franchises, and critically acclaimed television series, cementing their status as Hollywood's newest generation of triple threats.

This deep dive provides the most current information on the main cast, exploring their complete biographies, their pivotal roles in the 2021 film, and the high-profile projects they have taken on since their unforgettable performances as Tony, Maria, Anita, and the leaders of the rival gangs on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

The New Generation of Stars: Complete Cast Biographies

The 2021 adaptation was praised for its commitment to casting authentic Latinx actors for the Puerto Rican characters, a significant departure from the 1961 film. Here is a look at the core cast who brought the timeless story of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's musical to life:

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• Rachel Zegler (Maria): Born May 3, 2001, in Hackensack, New Jersey. Zegler is a Colombian-American actress and singer who was discovered through an open casting call for *West Side Story* at the age of 16. Her role as Maria was her professional film debut. Her powerful vocal talent and natural screen presence immediately launched her into the spotlight, making her one of the most sought-after young stars in Hollywood.
• Ansel Elgort (Tony): Born March 14, 1994, in New York City. Elgort is an American actor, singer, and DJ. Prior to *West Side Story*, he was known for roles in *The Fault in Our Stars* (2014) and his Golden Globe-nominated performance in *Baby Driver* (2017). His casting as Tony, the co-founder of the Jets who falls for Maria, brought him back to his musical roots as an alumnus of LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.
• Ariana DeBose (Anita): Born January 25, 1991, in Wilmington, North Carolina. DeBose is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She rose to prominence on Broadway, earning a Tony Award nomination for *Summer: The Donna Summer Musical* and appearing in *Hamilton*. Her electrifying and nuanced portrayal of Anita, Bernardo's girlfriend, earned her an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, making her the first openly queer woman of color to win an Oscar for acting.
• David Alvarez (Bernardo): Born May 11, 1994, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Alvarez is a Cuban-Canadian actor and dancer. He is a former ballet dancer who famously won a Tony Award at age 15 for co-starring in the Broadway production of *Billy Elliot the Musical*. His personal journey is unique: he quit acting and joined the U.S. Army, only to be drawn back to the stage for the role of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks and Maria’s protective older brother.
• Mike Faist (Riff): Born January 5, 1992, in Gahanna, Ohio. Faist is an American actor who gained critical acclaim on Broadway, originating the role of Connor Murphy in *Dear Evan Hansen*, for which he received a Tony nomination. His portrayal of Riff, the charismatic and volatile leader of the Jets, was lauded for its complexity and earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
• Rita Moreno (Valentina): Born December 11, 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Moreno is one of the few EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony Award). She famously won an Oscar for playing Anita in the 1961 film. In the 2021 adaptation, she plays Valentina, a newly created character who is the widow of Doc and the owner of the drugstore where Tony works, serving as a powerful, emotional link between the two film versions.

Post-Oscar Success: Where the West Side Story Cast Is Now

The critical success of the 2021 film, directed by Steven Spielberg and choreographed by Justin Peck (taking over from the original work by Jerome Robbins), provided a massive career boost for the younger cast members. Their current and upcoming projects demonstrate their rapidly expanding topical authority across film, television, and theatre.

Rachel Zegler: From Maria to Blockbuster Royalty

Rachel Zegler's career trajectory following *West Side Story* has been nothing short of meteoric. After her breakthrough role, she quickly transitioned into major Hollywood franchises. She starred as Anthea in the DC Extended Universe film *Shazam! Fury of the Gods*. More significantly, she took on the lead role of Lucy Gray Baird in the highly anticipated *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023), solidifying her status as a global star. Her biggest upcoming project is the title role in Disney's live-action remake of *Snow White*, which is currently generating significant buzz and cultural conversation. Furthermore, Zegler has returned to her theatre roots, starring on Broadway in a new production of *Romeo + Juliet*.

Ariana DeBose: The Academy Award Winner's Next Moves

Ariana DeBose's Oscar win for her portrayal of Anita was a landmark moment for representation. Since her win, she has balanced her time between film and television, often seeking roles that challenge her beyond her musical background. She continued her work in the Apple TV+ musical comedy series *Schmigadoon!* and has been actively involved in hosting major award ceremonies, including the Tony Awards, showcasing her versatile talent and stage presence. DeBose is focused on taking on diverse new projects that demonstrate she is more than just a triple threat, aiming to break away from strictly musical roles.

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Mike Faist and Ansel Elgort: From Gang Rivals to A-List Dramas

Both Mike Faist (Riff) and Ansel Elgort (Tony) have leveraged their critical success into high-profile, non-musical projects. Mike Faist’s career has seen a major boost with his critically acclaimed performance in the Amazon Prime thriller series *Panic*. However, his most talked-about recent role is in the highly anticipated tennis drama *Challengers* (2024), where he stars alongside Zendaya. This move has cemented his transition from a Broadway star to a major film actor.

Ansel Elgort, despite some controversy surrounding his personal life, has maintained a strong presence in prestige television. He continues to star as Jake Adelstein in the popular HBO Max crime drama series *Tokyo Vice*, which has been renewed for multiple seasons. This role as an American journalist navigating the Tokyo underworld is a significant dramatic turn from the romantic lead of Tony. He has also been involved in new stage work, including a role in "The Who Rock Ballet."

The Impact of the 2021 Adaptation: Authenticity and Accolades

The 2021 film was not just a remake; it was a re-examination of the source material. Screenwriter Tony Kushner and director Steven Spielberg made key changes to address the cultural appropriation criticisms of the 1961 film. The primary goal was to improve cultural authenticity and depth.

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Commitment to Authenticity and Language

A major change was the casting of Latinx actors for all Puerto Rican roles, including David Alvarez as Bernardo. Furthermore, the film features significant portions of dialogue spoken in Spanish without subtitles, a deliberate choice by Spielberg to respect the language and culture, allowing the audience to experience the world as the characters did. Rita Moreno's new character, Valentina, also provided a vital bridge, replacing the original character of Doc and allowing for a more nuanced perspective on the Jets and Sharks conflict and the changing landscape of the Upper West Side.

Awards and Critical Recognition

The film's success was validated by its impressive awards haul. Beyond Ariana DeBose's historic Oscar win, the film received six other Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for Steven Spielberg, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound. The film also dominated the 79th Golden Globe Awards, winning Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Rachel Zegler, and Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture for Ariana DeBose. This critical acclaim demonstrated that the new adaptation successfully honored the genius of Arthur Laurents’ book and the original music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim while providing a necessary modern update.

The enduring legacy of *West Side Story* is now carried forward by this talented ensemble. Their current work across major film and television projects confirms that their performances in Spielberg’s film were not just a moment in time, but the launchpad for a new era of Hollywood stardom.