Trivia

He hated his performance in West Side Story (1961) and left the London premiere half way through the film's screening, before he could be presented to Queen Elizabeth II.

While in Italy filming Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man (1962) in 1961, Richard Beymer became captivated by a beautiful high school girl who had been doing extra work in "Barabbas" (1961). The following year when he was back in California and the girl too had moved back to the United States, the two renewed communication and he encouraged her to pursue a career in film, which she did. They saw quite a lot of each other for over a year, and remained on friendly terms thereafter. The girl's name was Sharon Tate.

In West Side Story (1961) his singing was dubbed by Jimmy Bryant.

In 1964, Beymer traveled to Mississippi to volunteer in the civil rights movement (that summer was later dubbed "Freedom Summer"). Beymer took a Bolex camera with him; he later edited his footage into a documentary titled "A Regular Bouquet: Mississippi Summer." Beymer's footage has also been edited into many other documentaries on the civil rights era, including Eyes on the Prize and Freedom Summer.

He has played the love interest of both Natalie Wood and her sister Lana Wood in 2 separate films: Tony opposite Natalie's Maria in West Side Story (1961), and Dean opposite Lana's Karen in Scream Free! (1969) (aka Free Grass).

Appears in three Oscar Best Picture nominees: The Diary of Anne Frank (1959), West Side Story (1961) and The Longest Day (1962). West Side Story is the only winner.

Currently resides in Iowa (October 2008)

Named after his father, George Richard Beymer Sr., there had also been a brother who died at 2 months of age in October 1937 who had been christened Richard Terry Beymer.

February 1977 - One time roommate of Andy Kaufman, he originated on stage at the Improv at 2:30 am the "has-been corner" bit Kaufman used in his TV specials.

Is probably best remembered for playing Tony in West Side Story (1961).