Rita Moreno Remembers Kids 'Yelling' HerElectric CompanyCatchphrase 'Constantly': 'Principals Wanted to Kill Me' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Rita Moreno in 2024 and in ‘The Electric Company’ in 1971.Photo:Getty; Everett

Getty; Everett

Rita Morenoremembers her days inThe Electric Companyfondly — and so do the show’s viewers.While chatting with PEOPLE ahead of her guest appearance onMayanandGeorge Lopez’s sitcomLopez vs Lopez, the 92-year-old actress recalled her six-year stint on the educational program of the 1970s.As a cast member, Moreno participated in sketches to help elementary school students develop their reading and grammar skills. One of her recurring characters, Millie the Helper, became known for the show’s iconic catchphrase, “Hey, you guys!” — which was later incorporated into the opening credits.Millie’s famous yell was eventually heard in schoolyards across the country. Moreno tells PEOPLE that when the series began, “kids would be yelling that up and down the school halls.”“All the principals of public schools wanted to kill me,” she quips.Rita Moreno (right) as Millie the Helper in ‘The Electric Company’ in 1971.EverettThe Electric Companyis one of Moreno’s many roles that she’s often recognized for in public. When she walks to her table at a restaurant, someone at the bar might shout Millie’s catchphrase, which “tickles” her to this day, she adds.“We were a bunch of immensely talented people who put their careers aside, in a way, to help young children learn how to read,” says Moreno, who won aGrammyfor best children’s album withThe Electric Companysoundtrack.What she and the other cast members — includingMorgan Freeman— didn’t expect was that the show would reach more than just children.“A lot of grown-ups would watch it who didn’t know how to read in English,” theWest Side Storystar says. “That was a side effect that none of us had even planned on, but it was thrilling.”Carmen Sandiego in ‘Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?'.EverettThe accomplished actress also partook in other children’s programs throughout her career, making guest appearances inThe Magic School Busand Disney’sElena of Avalor. Most notably, she voiced international thief Carmen Sandiego in the ‘90s seriesWhere in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Moreno’s iconic 70-year career includes twoEmmy Awards, a Grammy, anOscarand aTony, making her one of 27 people to achieveEGOT status.As for which award means the most to her, the actress hasan immediate answer: “It has to be the first one, which was the Oscar for Pete’s sake. I mean, how can you not, right? How blasé can you be?”

Rita Morenoremembers her days inThe Electric Companyfondly — and so do the show’s viewers.

While chatting with PEOPLE ahead of her guest appearance onMayanandGeorge Lopez’s sitcomLopez vs Lopez, the 92-year-old actress recalled her six-year stint on the educational program of the 1970s.

As a cast member, Moreno participated in sketches to help elementary school students develop their reading and grammar skills. One of her recurring characters, Millie the Helper, became known for the show’s iconic catchphrase, “Hey, you guys!” — which was later incorporated into the opening credits.

Millie’s famous yell was eventually heard in schoolyards across the country. Moreno tells PEOPLE that when the series began, “kids would be yelling that up and down the school halls.”

“All the principals of public schools wanted to kill me,” she quips.

Rita Moreno (right) as Millie the Helper in ‘The Electric Company’ in 1971.Everett

Everett

The Electric Companyis one of Moreno’s many roles that she’s often recognized for in public. When she walks to her table at a restaurant, someone at the bar might shout Millie’s catchphrase, which “tickles” her to this day, she adds.

“We were a bunch of immensely talented people who put their careers aside, in a way, to help young children learn how to read,” says Moreno, who won aGrammyfor best children’s album withThe Electric Companysoundtrack.

What she and the other cast members — includingMorgan Freeman— didn’t expect was that the show would reach more than just children.

“A lot of grown-ups would watch it who didn’t know how to read in English,” theWest Side Storystar says. “That was a side effect that none of us had even planned on, but it was thrilling.”

Carmen Sandiego in ‘Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?'.Everett

The accomplished actress also partook in other children’s programs throughout her career, making guest appearances inThe Magic School Busand Disney’sElena of Avalor. Most notably, she voiced international thief Carmen Sandiego in the ‘90s seriesWhere in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Moreno’s iconic 70-year career includes twoEmmy Awards, a Grammy, anOscarand aTony, making her one of 27 people to achieveEGOT status.

As for which award means the most to her, the actress hasan immediate answer: “It has to be the first one, which was the Oscar for Pete’s sake. I mean, how can you not, right? How blasé can you be?”

source: people.com