The West Side Story 2021 Cast: Where Are Steven Spielberg’s Stars Now? (Updated 2024 Career Deep Dive)

The 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story, directed by cinematic legend Steven Spielberg and written by Tony Kushner, was a critical and cultural phenomenon, reintroducing the classic musical to a new generation. Released in December 2021, the film not only garnered seven Academy Award nominations, including a historic win for Ariana DeBose, but also launched the careers of a dynamic ensemble of young, talented actors. This article, updated for late 2024, delves into the current career trajectories of the core cast, from Broadway returns to major Hollywood franchises, highlighting the fresh, unique paths they have taken since their breakout performances.

The success of the West Side Story cast is a testament to Spielberg's commitment to authentic casting, featuring a majority of Latino performers for the Sharks gang and casting a true triple-threat ensemble. Two years later, these stars are dominating film, television, and theater, proving their work on the Upper West Side was just the beginning of their remarkable journeys in the entertainment industry. The following deep dive provides the most current updates on where the Jets and Sharks leaders and their star-crossed lovers are now.

The Complete West Side Story 2021 Main Cast Biography and Profile List

The ensemble cast for Steven Spielberg’s vision brought a mix of seasoned Broadway veterans and complete newcomers to the screen. Here is a quick, essential look at the core six actors who brought the iconic characters to life.

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• Rachel Zegler (Maria)
  • Born: May 3, 2001 (Age 23)
  • Birthplace: Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
  • Ethnicity: Colombian-American
  • Notable Pre-WSS Role: YouTube singing sensation (discovered via an open casting call)
  • Key Awards: Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (First Latina winner for the award)
• Ansel Elgort (Tony)
  • Born: March 14, 1994 (Age 30)
  • Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.
  • Notable Pre-WSS Roles: The Fault in Our Stars (2014), Baby Driver (2017), The Divergent Series (2014-2016)
  • Career Note: Also a DJ and electronic music producer under the name 'Ansolo'
• Ariana DeBose (Anita)
  • Born: January 25, 1991 (Age 33)
  • Birthplace: Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S.
  • Ethnicity: Afro-Latina (Puerto Rican, Italian, and White ancestry)
  • Notable Pre-WSS Roles: Broadway's Hamilton (The Bullet), Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Tony Award nomination), The Prom (2020 film)
  • Key Awards: Academy Award (Oscar), BAFTA, Golden Globe, and SAG Award for Best Supporting Actress (for West Side Story)
• Mike Faist (Riff)
  • Born: January 5, 1992 (Age 32)
  • Birthplace: Gahanna, Ohio, U.S.
  • Notable Pre-WSS Roles: Broadway's Dear Evan Hansen (Original Connor Murphy, Tony Award nomination), Newsies
  • Career Note: Known for his intense, method-style stage performances
• David Alvarez (Bernardo)
  • Born: May 11, 1994 (Age 30)
  • Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Ethnicity: Cuban-Canadian
  • Notable Pre-WSS Role: Broadway's Billy Elliot the Musical (Original Billy, Tony Award winner)
  • Career Note: A highly trained former dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, his West Side Story role marked a return to professional acting after a hiatus.
• Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino)
  • Born: May 1, 1995 (Age 29)
  • Birthplace: U.S.
  • Notable Pre-WSS Role: Stage actor (made his film debut in West Side Story)
  • Career Note: His performance in West Side Story led directly to a major role in a high-profile franchise.

The Breakout Stars: Rachel Zegler and Mike Faist’s New Hollywood Status

The two young actors who truly broke out from the film were Rachel Zegler and Mike Faist, who played Maria and Riff, respectively. Their careers have exploded with a series of high-profile projects immediately following their critically acclaimed performances.

Rachel Zegler: From Maria to Disney Princess and Stage Icon

Rachel Zegler’s debut performance as Maria earned her a Golden Globe, instantly cementing her as a major talent.

Her film career has rapidly accelerated. She starred in the DC Extended Universe film Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) and, most notably, was cast as the lead in Disney's live-action remake of Snow White.

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The Snow White project has generated significant buzz and controversy, making Zegler a constant fixture in entertainment news.

In a major return to her musical theater roots, Zegler is also set to star as the title character in a highly anticipated London revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita, showcasing her incredible vocal range and stage presence once again.

Mike Faist: The Broadway Veteran Becomes a Cinematic Leading Man

Mike Faist’s intense, nuanced portrayal of the Jets leader, Riff, earned him a BAFTA Award nomination and established him as a compelling screen actor after a successful Broadway career.

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His post-West Side Story career reached a new peak with the 2024 romantic sports drama Challengers, where he starred alongside Zendaya and Josh O'Connor.

In Challengers, Faist played Art Donaldson, a tennis champion caught in a complex love triangle, a role that further demonstrated his versatility beyond musical theater.

Looking ahead, Faist is attached to an upcoming limited series adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel East of Eden. He is also returning to the stage in a new production of Eugene O'Neill’s play Anna Christie, confirming his dedication to both film and theater.

Oscar Winner Ariana DeBose and The New Generation of Stars

While Zegler and Faist have dominated headlines, the rest of the West Side Story cast has also secured major, high-profile roles, proving the film was a powerful launching pad for their careers. The film’s most decorated cast member, Ariana DeBose, has become a Hollywood powerhouse.

Ariana DeBose: From Anita to Action Star and Host

Ariana DeBose’s Oscar-winning performance as Anita was universally praised for its energy and emotional depth.

Since her win, DeBose has been in high demand, leveraging her status as a quadruple threat (acting, singing, dancing, hosting) to secure diverse roles.

Her filmography now includes the space thriller I.S.S. (2024), the star-studded spy comedy Argylle (2024), and the action rom-com Love Hurts, where she stars alongside Ke Huy Quan.

DeBose also returned to her Broadway roots, starring in a New York production of the musical The Baker’s Wife, a project that was highly anticipated by theater fans.

Josh Andrés Rivera: The Hunger Games and American Sports Story

Josh Andrés Rivera, who played Chino, Maria’s intended husband, has had one of the most significant post-West Side Story career boosts.

Rivera landed a lead role in the prequel to The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), playing Sejanus Plinth.

He is also set to star as the controversial real-life figure Aaron Hernandez in the upcoming FX series American Sports Story, which is part of the same anthology universe as American Crime Story. This marks a major dramatic turn for the young actor, showcasing his range.

Ansel Elgort: The Return to Television

Ansel Elgort, who played the male lead Tony, has focused primarily on television since the film’s release.

He starred as American journalist Jake Adelstein in the critically acclaimed HBO Max crime series Tokyo Vice, which ran from 2022 to 2024.

In a move that highlights his dance training, Elgort also made his professional dance debut in the rock ballet production of The Who Rock Ballet, further emphasizing the versatility he brought to the role of Tony.

David Alvarez: Tony Winner's Focus on Theatrical Roots

David Alvarez, who played the Sharks leader Bernardo, is a Tony Award-winning performer for his title role in Billy Elliot the Musical.

His role in West Side Story was a significant return to the spotlight after a hiatus. While he has maintained a lower profile in terms of major announced film projects post-2021, his work continues to be a powerful reminder of his extraordinary talent as both a Cuban-Canadian actor and a former professional dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.

Topical Authority and The Legacy of West Side Story 2021

The 2021 film’s success was not just in its awards recognition but in its commitment to addressing the original musical's historical casting issues, particularly by casting authentically Latino actors as the Sharks. This decision, championed by Spielberg and Kushner, has had a lasting impact on the careers of the young cast members, providing a platform for diverse talent.

The film itself has become a benchmark for modern musical adaptations, balancing respect for the source material with contemporary social relevance. The legacy of the 2021 West Side Story cast is defined by their immediate transition from a single project into major, diverse roles across Hollywood, Broadway, and streaming services. Their collective success signals a new era where musical theater training is a direct pipeline to starring roles in the largest film franchises and prestige television. The careers of Rachel Zegler, Mike Faist, and Ariana DeBose, in particular, will continue to be closely watched as they shape the next generation of Hollywood talent.