Did the actors plying the sharks wear makeup

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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — West Side Story

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orebanjoko — 10 years ago(January 28, 2016 11:09 AM)

I know that most of the actors playing the sharks weren't actually Hispanic but a lot of their skin tones look kinda darker than a typical white person. Did they just tan or did they wear makeup to darken their skin tone?

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friendoffilm — 10 years ago(January 28, 2016 11:34 AM)

Actually, if one looks at the closing credits, at the end of the movie, under the list of the actors/actresses who played The Sharks and their girls, there are a number of Hispanic names (i.e. Rudy del Campo, Jose De Vegas, to name afew.).
I'm sure that some of the actors/actresses did wear make-up, but that was typical of that day, but even today, actors/actresses who play in movies still wear make-up.

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leader-7 — 9 years ago(April 15, 2016 06:20 AM)

They did wear makeup to make them more easily identifiable as members of the Sharks. the Sharks also wore darker (and more colorful) clothing. so that when they were in crowded scenes you could more easily differentiate them.

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friendoffilm — 9 years ago(April 16, 2016 05:06 AM)

That's very true, leader-7. That was very common in those days, generally, I think.

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leader-7 — 9 years ago(April 16, 2016 05:34 AM)

I believe so. It was the cultural norm of the day.

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PowergirlsMom — 9 years ago(November 18, 2016 07:52 PM)

I am watching the movie for the first time in ages, and I am struck by how dark Russ Tamblyn's makeup is, as it is for many of the Jets, which I thought odd.

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karmala2 — 9 years ago(December 07, 2016 11:27 AM)

and I think Tony's makeup made him look dark(er) and he was one of the Jets.
I told you a million times not to talk to me when I'm doing my lashes!

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friendoffilm — 9 years ago(December 18, 2016 04:53 PM)

One must bear in mind, however, that there are different ways for White European Ethnic Americans to look; They range in color from very light/pale-skinned to darker and olive-skinned complexions.

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friendoffilm — 9 years ago(December 24, 2016 08:04 AM)

Frankly, I think all of the actors/actresses in the film
West Side Story
, regardless of ethnicity, color or character, wore make-up.