Leonard Gordon is the late husband of Rita Moreno, a renowned Puerto Rican actress, singer, and dancer with a long and successful career in the entertainment industry. Moreno is famous for her over seven decades of work on stage and screen. In addition, she is one of the few performers to have an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award (EGOT).
However, Gordon’s wife is most famous for her breakout role as Anita in the 1961 film adaptation of the musical “West Side Story.” Her performance in the film earned her an Oscar Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first Latin American woman to win an Academy Award.
While their forty-five-year-long marriage appeared to be a happy one from the outside, the “West Side Story” star has opened up about her late husband. Since his passing, Moreno has said she has no interest in marrying again, even once saying that she would rather “eat glass” than walk down the aisle again, making many curious about her late husband.
Here’s what we know.
Who Is Rita Moreno’s Husband?
Moreno’s husband, Leonard Gordon, was born Leonard Isadore Gordon in the Bronx, New York City, United States. He was born on March 26, 1920. In addition, the actress’s late husband grew up with his parents, Alex Gordon and Senka Gordon, in his hometown. Although most details about his upbringing elude the media, Gordon was an American of White Caucasian ethnicity.
While details about his elementary education remain a mystery, Leonard Gordon reportedly attended Stuyvesant High School. Afterward, he enrolled in the City College of New York. Following his graduation from CCNY, Gordon studied medicine at the medical college in Chicago.
What Did Rita Moreno’s Husband, Leonard Gordon, Do for a Living?
After graduating from the Chicago Medical College, Leonard Gordon began working as an Internist, a Doctor of Internal medicine. He worked as an Internist for many years in a private hospital in Manhattan. In addition, Gordon worked as a part-time cardiologist. After working for many years, he retired from the medical field in 1995.
Afterward, he became the personal manager of his wife, who, at the time, was one of the most popular actresses. Aside from his work in the medical field, Leonard Gordon also served in WWII. According to reports, the multi-award-winning actress’s husband served in the war after graduating from CCNY. However, he left service to study medicine.
How Did Leonard Gordon and Rita Moreno Meet?
Leonard Gordon and Moreno met on a blind date in 1964 while she was performing in the short-lived Broadway show “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window.” Surprisingly, Gordon did not know he was meeting with the legendary Rita Moreno. The two hit it off and started dating shortly after.
Their romance blossomed, and the then-couple married one year later in 1965. Ironically, Moreno’s role in the Broadway play as Iris, Sidney Brunstein’s wife, foreshadowed the complicated marriage she was to have with Leonard in real life.
When Did Rita Moreno and Gordon Tie the Knot?
Rita Moreno and Leonard Gordon’s wedding happened a year after they met in 1965. Although most details about their wedding elude the media, the former couple lived together for 45 years until Gordon’s demise in 2010. Following Gordon’s death, Moreno revealed that she considered divorce at some point in their marriage. However, she chose to stick around and honor their commitment.
Although Rita Moreno’s husband appeared joyful with his wife in front of the cameras, the late doctor was authoritarian at home. After Gordon’s demise, the legendary actress stated that her late husband was a wonderful person, but he was “controlling.” In addition, she said that she would never tie the knot again.
How Many Children Does Leonard Gordon Have?
From his marriage with the famous actress, Gordon became a father to a daughter, Fernanda Luisa Gordon. Leonard Gordon and Moreno welcomed their daughter, Fernanda, in September 1967. According to the iconic actress, Fernanda was why she decided to stay in the marriage. She revealed that she didn’t want to split up her family and wanted her daughter to grow up with her father in her life.
Like her mother, Fernanda is an actress known for her role in the TV series “An Inconvenient Woman” and “The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.” In addition, Rita Moreno’s daughter is a jewelry designer and freelance graphic designer. Fernanda married David Tyler Fisher in October 1996 and is a mother of two sons, Cameron Fisher and Justin Fisher.
Leonard Gordon’s Death
Leonard Gordon died at 90 in Beverly Hills, California, on June 30, 2010. Before his death, Gordon celebrated his last wedding anniversary with Moreno in the hospital. Although there is no specific reason behind his demise, reports suggest he might have died naturally in his old age.
While the legendary actress was not always happy in her marriage, she was with her husband as his health declined. However, when Gordon died, Moreno felt “liberated” and ready for a new chapter. Like Leonard Gordon, Naomi Judd’s first husband, Michael Ciminella, has also earned fans’ curiosity.