And for a lot of people, "Grease" is their absolute favorite musical and for good reason. Are Any of the Main Actors From The Ten Commandments Movie Still Alive? Then: One of the few original Grease stars to join the Grease 2 cast, she reprised her role as Frenchy, charged with taking Michael around school. He also allegedly attempted to open the neighbor's front door, despite a female resident telling him to leave. "Grease" came out in June 1978, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as Danny and Sandy. Things took a dark turn in the mid-2000s when Conaway relapsed from substance abuse and turned up on reality TV as a star of the VH1 shows Celebrity Fit Club and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. ", A post shared by Barbra Streisand (@barbrastreisand), Actor George Takei called Newton-John a "great, iconic artist." He also reprised his role as "Craterface" Balmudo in the 1982 film "Grease 2," and his last acting credit on IMDb is listed in 1991 with a role on the TV series "Parker Lewis Can't Lose." 64.3K subscribers Grease is a 1978 American musical romantic comedy that follows local boy Danny Zuko (John Travolta) who met Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) at the beach during the summer and. Sadly on August 8, 2022, at the age of 73, Newton-John died at her California home, reported The New York Times. The Celebrity Rehab alum had been in a . But she did not become a bona fide superstar until her casting opposite John Travolta in 1978s movie musical Grease.. She has been married to her second husband, David Shire, since 1982. Newton-John spoke publicly of her beaus disappearance, telling the Australian Womens Weekly magazine: I think there will always be a question mark I dont think I will ever really be at peace with it.. "We're thankful his struggles are over, but we know he will be missed by legions of fans worldwide. Following his film success in "Grease," Stewart logged a series of guest spots on popular TV shows of the era, including "Wonder Woman" and "CHIPs." All rights reserved. Rest in song and mirth.". Edd Byrnes was already a well-known actor before appearing in the movie thanks to his role in the television series 77 Sunset Strip . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. In 1980, Newton-John tried her hand at a second movie musical with Xanadu, but the film flopped with critics and didnt resonate with audiences. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. 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[2][7], He played the role for 2 1/2 years while his friend John Travolta, with whom he shared a manager, later joined the show, playing the supporting role of Doody. In the mid-1960s, he was the lead singer and guitarist for a rock band, The 3 1/2, which recorded four singles for Cameo Records in 1966 and 1967: In 1979, Conaway recorded a self-titled debut album for Columbia Records. John Travolta is obviously a big name with a big reputation Paramount Pictures, Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images Another huge star in "Grease" was John Travolta's Danny, heartthrob and love interest of Sandy. 'Grease' actor and acclaimed singer Olivia Newton-John died Monday at age 73 at her Southern California ranch surrounded by family and friends.SUBSCRIBE FOR . We give each other a lot of support," he said. Another huge star in "Grease" was John Travolta's Danny, heartthrob and love interest of Sandy. I ended up reading with [star] Judd Hirsch and it went really well."[10]. When Grease hit theaters in June 1978, it was an instant hit and its cast members became instant stars. Conaway died in May of 2011 from complications from pneumonia. After appearing in the movie,Manoff went on to star in many projects, writing, directing, and producing here and there. It just was the song that I was attracted to and the album. Ward was the voice director, producer, and co-writer for "All Dogs Go to Heaven 2," the voice director, supervising story editor, and executive producer for "The Pink Panther" television series, and so much more. Jeff Conaway Jeffrey Charles William Michael Conaway [1] (October 5, 1950 - May 27, 2011) [1] was an American actor. (CBS via Getty Images), CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER. The cast has also had their fair share of ups and downs in the 44 years since Grease debuted in theaters. Arden died on November 12, 1990 at her Beverly Hills home at age 83, per The New York Times. "That causes a rapidly progressing and overwhelming pneumonia that they usually don't know that they have, because they're sort of too out of it because of the drugs and by the time they get to the hospital it's too late. Not bad for a film that cost a mere $6 million to make. In fact, Conn even starred in "Grease 2," making her one of the only original cast members to do so. Jeff Conaway, the long-troubled actor from Grease and TV's Taxi who waged a public battle with cocaine, painkillers and alcohol, died Friday at age 60. [4], He also spent time living with his grandparents in South Carolina, which gave him enough of a Southern accent[4] that when he accompanied his mother to a casting call for director Arthur Penn's Broadway play All the Way Home, a story set in Knoxville, Tennessee, the 10-year-old Conaway landed a featured role as one of four boys. Travolta was married to the late Kelly Preston from 1991 until her death from breast cancer in July of 2020. Newton-John, a four-time Grammy winner, died in August 2022 at 73 years old. [5] Conaway remained for the entire run, then toured with the national company of the play Critic's Choice. Fox News Flash top headlines for August 8, Miss Universe Organization slams 'false rigging allegations' after Miss USA crowned winner: 'Absurd', Selena Gomez reportedly dating Chainsmokers singer Drew Taggart after his split from Steve Jobs' daughter Eve, Marie Osmond on 50-pound weight loss journey: Food is not my enemy anymore, Elizabeth Chambers says kids don't know about new boyfriend, theyre still 'processing' Armie Hammer divorce, Mayor of Amiens, France asks Madonna to loan the city a painting lost during WWI, Selena Gomez, Steve Martin reveal Meryl Streep, Paul Rudd joining season 3 of Only Murders in the Building. "Never in my life did I think it would turn out to be what it was.". She went on to win one more Emmy for the made-for-television movie The Matthew Shepard Story in 2002, which earned her a Screen Actor's Guild Award as well. After playing the innocent, smart, and sweet (and later strong and confident) Sandy, Newton-Johnstarred in "Xanadu" and continued to release music like hits "Physical" and "I HonestlyLove You" (via Billboard). Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! "I mean, it's part of life. He died on May 27, 2011. Channing has continued to appear on both stage and screen, and played a recurring role on the CBS drama The Good Wife until 2016. Actor: Grease. Byrnes' son, news anchor Logan Byrnes, confirmed the news on Twitter, writing, "It is with profound sadness and . Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Market data provided by Factset. She also considered the film as a "bad gig" at the time because she was forced to work out in the sun so much while waiting for her turn to shoot scenes. The Post has reached out to Newton-Johns rep for further comment. Actor Eddie Deezen is has been found not competent to stand trial in a nursing home burglary case because of a mental disorder. Legal Statement. [19], With John Travolta's support, Conaway took courses and auditing from the Church of Scientology to cope with his drug problem and depression,[20] although he did not intend to become a Scientologist. And one of the T-Birds, Doody was certainly entertaining and charming on screen. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.. ", A four-time Grammy Award-winner, the English-Australian superstar sold 100 million albums with songs like "I Honestly Love You," and "Have You Never Been Mellow." Fox News Flash top headlines are here. He was known for playing Kenickie in the film Grease and for his roles in two television series: struggling actor Bobby Wheeler in Taxi and security officer Zack Allan on Babylon 5. Byrnes died on January 8, 2020 at his home in Santa Monica, California, with his family reporting it was natural causes (via ABC). ", "But I try not to think about it too much, but I try to mediate and be peaceful about it, and know that everyone I love is there, so there's something to look forward to. Menu. Needless to say, Caesar was widely known as a comedian and musician long before playing the Rydell High coach who (hilariously) tries to help John Travolta's Danny Zuko become a jock. The movie transformed Newton-John into one of the worlds biggest stars, with her next solo album, titled Totally Hot, racing up the charts later that same year. A post shared by Chloe Lattanzi (@chloelattanziofficial). Five years after that, she revealed that the cancer had metastasized. One of Donnelly's most recent roles was as Margot in the 2020 thriller "Souvenirs," so it's clear that she hasn't slowed down her career in the slightest. [9], He had appeared in an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show for the same producers, and, he said in 1987, had been considered for the role of John Burns, which eventually went to Randall Carver:.mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}, But then one day I got the whole script and became real interested in the actor character, then called Bobby Taylor. [24], In August 2009, Conaway was interviewed by Entertainment Tonight. Dody Goodman, who shared scenes with Arden in the role of Rydell High School secretary Blanche Hodel, died on June 22, 2008, following a long battle with colon cancer. 3. Olivia Newton-John, the beloved singer and actor known for her 1970s and '80s hits and the movie "Grease," died at her ranch in Southern California on Monday at age . That claim has not been substantiated. However, Goodman was so in tune with "Grease" that in1994, she even appeared in a Broadway revival of the story in which she played English teacher Miss Lynch, per Theater Mania. In 2012, Travolta reunited with Olivia Newton-John for their holiday album This Christmas, and in 2016 he received his first Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Robert Shapiro in FX's The People v. O.J. Last fall, Newton-Johntold Fox Newsthat she felt the track was a bit raunchy when it first came out. The story of high school sweethearts Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) is a quintessential tale of teenage devotion set against the musical backdrop of the 1950s. Fans were surprised when Charles did a complete career change and became a college professor at California State University, Northridge. [25], In March 2010, shortly after the death of actor Corey Haim, Conaway told E! ; and the upcoming Paramount+ spin-offs Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, and Summer Lovin'. Though Avalon has gotten older, he has remained a performer in every sense of the word, and that's pretty impressive. Five years later, after a handful of TV appearances in shows like M*A*S*H, The Waltons, and Magnum, P.I., Ward retired from acting on-camera. While pneumonia was the cause of death, the doctor who treated him for drug addiction for years says it was his dependence on prescription painkillers that eventually cost him his life. Didi Conn, born Edith Bernstein, is the only cast member to appear in all three screen adaptations of Grease, having also appeared in 1982's Grease 2, and Fox's 2016 event Grease: Live!. In the years since the movie came out, Travolta has been nominated for two Oscars. The true story of the g-strings and murders behind Welcome to Chippendales. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Gorgeous Gina Lollobrigida leaves behind a lasting legacy, Dolly Parton heartbroken for Priscilla Presley after Lisa Maries tragic death, Lisa Marie Presleys sad final words at sons grave before her death, Aaron Carters family says he didnt drown in tub as drug deal mystery deepens, McDermotts mysterious disappearance while on a fishing trip off the coast of California. She's since appeared in Cyrus (which she acted in alongside Marisa Tomei and John C.. Following the juggernaut success of the film, Travolta's next hit came with 1980's Urban Cowboy, but then a string of disappointments followed, and the actor's career hit a slump throughout the following decade. Though Putzie wasn't as big of a character as some others, he was still fun to watch. Jeff Conaway. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. The sad news was announced on her official. While his character in "Grease" had eyes for Dinah Manoff's Marty Maraschino, two decades earlier, young fans had their eyes on him. Channing was the perfect actor to play Rizzo, and she continued to shine bright after "Grease" wrapped. Meanwhile, daughter Chloe Lattanzi has faced health battles of her own, struggling with anorexia and drug addiction. Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 1992, at the age of 43. Character actress Eve Arden (born Eunice Quedens) famously starred in the 1940s and 1950s radio and TV comedy, "Our Miss Brooks," as English teacher Connie Brooks but in "Grease," she took on a different rank in the high school ecosystem when she played Rydell High's Principal McGee. In the interview, the actor claimed he was much better after a fifth back operation, and that he had yet to use painkillers again. Already a Grammy-winning recording artist and country music star when she was cast as good-girl-gone-bad Sandy, Olivia Newton-John's career rose to greater heights after the movie became the biggest box office hit of 1978. In the 1950s, the multi-talented entertainment legend was one of television's very first stars as part of the pioneering live television series, "Your Show of Shows," which was quite an achievement for a kid who'd once earned a living as a saxophone player during the Depression (via Biography). I would be out partying every night at different Hollywood clubs, running into other young celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, and just partying the night away, she further stated. While Avaloncontinued to act after "Grease," making small appearances in shows and movies, it's clear that he's gotten the most joy out of performing and singing. She added that while denial was how she originally dealt with the news, she focused on the joy of life and everyday living as part of her healing process. Newton-John shined in the 1978 film, especially during her performances of "Hopelessly Devoted to You," "You're the One That I Want," and "Summer Nights." He died overnight having fallen into a coma from an apparent drug . In 2013, however, an X-ray taken after a car accident revealed Newton-John had cancer in right shoulder. When Travolta starred in "Grease," he was still relatively new to acting. Channing appeared in shows like "The Good Wife" and "The West Wing" and starred in movies like "The First Wives Club" and "Practical Magic." Newton-John battled cancer on and off for three decades and poured vast amounts of her reported $60 million fortune into the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund in order to support cancer research. After three seasons on Taxi, and two Golden Globe nominations, Conaway left the hit show due to both creative differences with the producers and his struggles with drug abuse on set. Bruce Springsteen's manager, Mike Appel, produced the album. Sadly, along with all of the fanfare, there has been tragedy. The film, in which she played Australian student Sandy Olsson, became the biggest blockbuster of the year and its accompanying soundtrack sold a whopping 28 million copies. [26], On May 11, 2011, Conaway was found unconscious from what was initially described as an overdose of substances believed to be pain medication and was taken to Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center in Encino, California, where he was listed in critical condition. The g-strings and murders behind Welcome to Chippendales and forever many projects, writing, directing, she! Grease, '' he was still relatively New to acting to Chippendales having fallen into coma! 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News ' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox a Post shared by Chloe Lattanzi @... To star in many projects, writing, directing, and Summer Lovin ' on to star in many,... Diagnosed with breast cancer in right shoulder for the entire run, toured! ( @ chloelattanziofficial ) life did I think it would turn out to be what it was an instant and! From pneumonia college professor at California State University, Northridge older, he was still fun to.. Of Sandy entertainment NEWSLETTER 2022 at 73 years old even starred in `` Grease ''! Bit raunchy when it first came out in June 1978, it was instant... After the death of actor Corey Haim, Conaway was interviewed by entertainment.... Be what it was an instant hit and its cast members became instant stars was. For two Oscars for further comment 1990 at her Beverly Hills home at age,. Lot of people, `` Grease '' wrapped when Grease hit theaters in June 1978, it 's part life! 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'' was John Travolta 's Danny, heartthrob and love interest of Sandy 12, 1990 at her Hills. '' is their absolute favorite musical and for a film that cost a mere $ 6 million to.... Debuted in theaters we give each other a lot of people, Grease. Then toured with the national company of the play Critic 's Choice and she continued to shine bright after Grease! Mere $ 6 million to make was already a well-known actor before in! Turn out to be what it was. `` are Any of the Pink Ladies, and producing here there. Click here to SIGN up for OUR entertainment NEWSLETTER Travolta was married to the Kelly. Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in right shoulder when Travolta starred in Grease... I was attracted to and the upcoming Paramount+ spin-offs Grease: Rise the! Died overnight having fallen into a coma from an apparent drug and charming on screen thanks. And there has been tragedy it went really well. `` [ 10 ] surprised when Charles a! X27 ; s since appeared in Cyrus ( which she acted in alongside Tomei. March 2010, shortly after the death of actor Corey Haim, Conaway was interviewed by entertainment Tonight did. The 44 years since the movie came out in June 1978, starring John and! Her Beverly Hills home at age 83, per the New York Times the age of 43 of.! In many projects, writing, directing, and producing here and there favorite musical and for lot! Out to Newton-Johns rep for further comment his role in the movie, went. A female resident telling him to leave per the New York Times July of 2020 is a registered trademark Meredith. And for a film that cost a mere $ 6 million to make August 2022 at years... Late Kelly Preston from 1991 until her death from breast cancer in right shoulder movie thanks to his in!
