Steven Spielberg's rapturous new adaptation of musical classic West Side Story has been receiving rave reviews, charming young fans and old, and giving the original 1961 version a definite run for its money. In addition to several new changes and updates to the story and general feel of the movie, Spielberg also kept some very integral parts of the original movie in his new vision - not least, Rita Moreno. The veteran actress, who played Anita, girlfriend of Sharks leader Bernardo in the 60s version, was cast to appear again 60 years later. This time, in a new role especially designed for her - Valentina, the widow of pharmacy-owner Doc.

Related: Rita Moreno Dated Elvis Presley As Revenge On Cheating Ex Marlon Brando

It may shock many who've seen the film to learn that Moreno is ninety years old, making her one of the oldest actresses still working in the industry today, and one of the last of the 'golden age' of Hollywood. So how does she manage to keep on acting in her senior years, and keep adapting? Read on to find out.

6 Rita Moreno Credits Therapy For Helping Her Move On And Succeed

Moreno has suffered many difficulties in life; racism, abuse, assault, and now ageism in her industry, but she is continually working on herself and credits her commitment to therapy for her continuing success in the acting world.

She told Guardian, “You know, I think I owe an enormous debt to psychotherapy. Without that, I wouldn’t be the Rita you know and love,” she said. "If you have been traumatised from the time you were a child to believe you were a ‘spic’, that you were a garlic-mouth, that you are not worthy, it takes a long time to get rid of that. That’s why therapy so often takes so long, because you’re trying to get rid of that trash before you can deal with the you that wants to get better. I went into therapy wanting to get better, knowing that in some way I had a sickness. And the sickness was Rita hates Rita.”

5 Rita Moreno Believes That Living Alone Has Helped Her Thrive

Since losing her husband, Rita has lived alone at her home in California. Rather than feeling lonely, however, she says that this alone time allows her to thrive - staying active, healthy, and allowing her to continue working. “I love being by myself,” she says. “It’s not hard to be alone. In fact, it’s great, if you like the person you live with [herself].”

4 Embracing Changes Has Also Kept Rita Moreno Young

Part of Rita's secret seems to be her unusual adaptability. She embraces changes, and challenges, keeping her agile and active in her work.

Speaking about being offered a role in the new movie, Rita explained that she initially felt hesitant. “I was a little leery. I thought Steven Spielberg…Okay. He happens to be my favorite director. But Tony Kushner, I thought, ‘He’s kind of dark,'” said the actress.

Spielberg had wanted Moreno to work as an executive producer on the picture, which did happen, but hadn't initially planned a part in the movie for her.

“The Doc part was really almost nonexistent. So it was [Kushner’s] partner [Mark Harris] who said to him, ‘What are you going to do about Doc?’ And it was [Harris] who said, ‘Why don’t you get Rita Moreno to play the widow, Doc’s widow?... I was just thrilled beyond words to be in that position and to play this beautifully written character that Tony Krushner made. He and Steven call the part the heart of the movie.”

3 A Sense Of Humour, And Desire To Keep The Show On The Road, Also Keeps Rita Moreno Young

What is immediately noticeable about Rita is her fabulous sense of humour. She even joked about reprising her role as Anita in the movie: “Obviously, I could not play Anita, though I probably would’ve said, being the ham that I am, ‘Well, let me try.’ Put on a wig. Such a ham.”

Related: 'West Side Story’: Rachel Zegler Earns ‘Best Actress’ Golden Globe Nod For Debut Film

2 Rita Moreno Is Passionate About Making Changes In The Film Industry

A desire not only to keep working, but to bring about lasting change in the film industry, is also something which drives Moreno to carry on. She is passionate about inclusivity, anti-ageism, and cultural representation in media.

“I don’t feel more hopeful", she says about Hispanic actors in the field, "I feel better, but we are still severely underrepresented."

1 Rita Moreno Also Likes To Challenge Ageist Ideas, And Prove People Wrong

"I have another complaint about Hollywood which is a kind of ageism I never thought I’d have to deal with," the actress says.

“Now, at my age, I just turned 90 – why do we have to be only grandmothers in these television series? That’s a very serious form of ageism and it’s just something I never thought about. It’s disgraceful, it makes me very upset and angry... So no I’m not happy with the way it is, I’m grateful it’s gotten better, and mostly I’m grateful for seeing and watching young women feel better about themselves. That has delighted me. I love when these young women get gutsy and very strong about who they are. I really appreciate that, because that’s what’s happened as a result of the Me Too movement. And it will happen more and more and more. But there’s still a big struggle, big struggle.”

Next: Who Is Rachel Zegler? Facts About The 'West Side Story' Breakout Star