Keck's Exclusives: Rita Moreno Welcomed to NBC's Family

NBC's new sitcom Welcome to the Family is welcoming Rita Moreno to its cast.

Moreno, who will receive the SAG Award's Life Achievement honor in January 2014, will play Abuelita, the spicy grandmother of Lisette (Justina Machado), who looms large over the Hernandez family.

The matriarch, expected to debut in November, is described as extremely religious, judgmental, tough, perpetually scowling and rude. The thought of disappointing Abuelita is so unappealing that Lisette and her family tell her elaborate lies about their lives whenever she comes to visit. 

Moreno, 81, is best known for her roles in West Side Story, The Electric Company and Oz. She is also among an elite group of performers to have won an Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy.

Welcome to the Family premieres Thursday, Oct. 3 at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.

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