Vin Diesel Gives “First Crush” Rita Moreno a Moving Tribute

Rita Moreno’s incredible, decades-long career is being celebrated.

Moreno, 92, appeared at the Edison Ballroom in New York City at the WNET Group’s 2024 gala on Tuesday, May 7, where Vin Diesel celebrated his onscreen grandmother’s and official “first crush’s” legendary acting career.

Taking the stage with a heartfelt speech, Diesel, 56, made it clear he was there to support Moreno, who portrayed Abuelita, the grandmother of Diesel’s long-running Dominic Toretto character in Fast X.

“My dream as a kid growing up here in New York … my first crush … was Rita,” he began.

He credited Moreno’s role in The Electric Company for helping him and fellow New Yorkers in his neighborhood learn how to read. The classic television series ran from 1971 to 1977. He then recalled a full circle moment when he was looking for an actress to play Abuelita in the latest Fast & Furious franchise film.

“I had the incredible luxury of meeting one of my idols and from that moment on I thought the only human in the world that could play the most significant role to Dom Toretto would be Rita Moreno.”

He praised Moreno for helping him realize as a child that someone who “looks like me” can make it as a famous actor, giving him the “confidence” to pursue his own dreams.

Sharing an unforgettable moment Diesel continued, “Rita and I were working and a line was created on the spot for her to say. It was whispered into her ear and she looked up and started crying and said. ‘That’s the most beautiful line I’ve ever heard.’ Now what? What do you do with that but cry? The whole set was crying.”

“You not only show up for family but you show up for people that make a difference in this world and that just by inviting me here validates my existence. I’m serious,” Diesel said. “I don’t have an Oscar, I don’t have an Emmy, I don’t have a Golden Globe, I don’t have a Tony but I got Rita Moreno.”

Moreno became emotional after hearing Diesel’s kind words, and told the audience in what appeared to be an unexpected moment on the microphone, “I’ve never had any kind of celebration in my honor. Yes, I’ve gotten some pretty fabulous awards and statutes but I’ve never had anything in my honor.”

After reflecting on her journey, she sang a rendition of “Dream,” which garnered a standing ovation from the audience.

Morgan Freeman, Alan Cumming, Lin Manuel-Miranda, and Sally Field also appeared via video to pay tribute to the EGOT winner. Dancers from the Ballet Hispánico performed at the event, as did Marvel actress and Dancing with the Stars champion Xochitl Gomez. Ansel Elgort performed “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story, resulting in an emotional Moreno kissing Elgort after the moment.

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Moreno first appeared on Broadway as a teenager in 1945 in a production of Skydrift; she then began acting for the screen with 1950’s So Young, So Bad and memorably starred in the 1961 film West Side Story, for which she won an Academy Award for her performance as Anita. Moreno reached EGOT status in 1977 after she won an Emmy Award for appearing on The Muppet Show; she won a Grammy in 1973 and a Tony Award in 1975 for her performance in The Ritz.

Moreno turned 92 in December. She caught up with PEOPLE in April, when she spoke about her relationship with her daughter Fernanda Luisa Gordon, whom she shares with her late husband, Leonard Gordon.

“There are times when I need her wisdom, and they are more often than you might think, particularly at this age,” she said at the time. “Ninety-two is not easy in many ways, and it’s something that’s difficult to understand.”