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"She is based on all the bitches who were mean to me when I was
younger in Hollywood," said Moreno, who is now 92 years old.
"I thought of all the nasty things that people did to me, not
people, women, and I just incorporated that into the character."
Born in Puerto Rico, Moreno began her career in Hollywood in the
1950s, facing challenges as a Hispanic woman in the industry
that she has spoken about. She won her only Oscar in 1962 for
playing Anita in "West Side Story."
In "The Prank," which opens in theaters on Friday, Moreno plays
Mrs. Wheeler, who is falsely accused of murdering a student
after a social media prank goes wrong.
Moreno was the first choice of director Maureen Bharoocha, who
said she had been wanting to work with her "forever."
"Maybe this would be enticing because she's never done this type
of movie. So, you know, actors want to work outside the confines
of what they usually get to play," said Bharoocha.
Moreno, one of the few actors to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an
Oscar and a Tony award - or an EGOT as it is known in the
profession - reveled in the challenge.
"I loved playing this mean snake of a woman. It's just such a
great change. I mean, anything goes," Moreno said.
And she loved imbuing her character with "awful taste,"
including a silver bob hairstyle with super short bangs and
clothing found at the Goodwill store.
During the shoot, Moreno said she would tell Bharoocha that she
had thought of something really awful and ask if it was too
much.
"No, keep going. Go further. Let's see how nasty she can be,"
Bharoocha said.
(Reporting by Omar Younis; Writing by Mary Milliken; Editing by
Richard Chang)
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