She returned to the profession in the late '90s and has appeared on television in series like Monk, Veep, and Ray Donovan, as well as the feature films Black Mass with Johnny Depp, and Cyrus, with Marisa Tomei. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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. "I trust she is now in the great Xanadu beyond," he wrote. "I was so much older than she was in life, but I could not think about that so I sort of threw myself back to what I felt when I was her age," she said of playing Rizzo. Conaway was born in Manhattan, New York, and raised in the Astoria, Flushing and Forest Hills neighborhoods of Queens. After two brief attempts at sitcom stardom in the early 1980s, Channing re-teamed with Nicholson and Nichols (as well as Meryl Streep) for the film Heartburn, based on Nora Ephron's best-selling novel. One of the most memorable scenes from "Grease" starred Frankie Avalon as the Teen Angel who sang "Beauty School Dropout." "Frenchy was very protective of Sandy Sandy was new in town. Bruce Springsteen's manager, Mike Appel, produced the album. 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. When it came to the Pink Ladies in "Grease," Jan was probably the most laid-back of the crew. [citation needed] From 1994 to 1999, he played Sergeant, later promoted to Security Chief, Zack Allan on Babylon 5. 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. Rest now, sweet friend. Conaway starred in the short-lived 1983 fantasy-spoof series Wizards and Warriors. All rights reserved. Before he donned Danny Zuko's leather jacket, John Travolta was already a bona fide star thanks to his roles as Vinnie Barbarino on Welcome Back, Kotter, Billy Nolan in Carrie, and Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever for which he received his first Academy Award nomination. A year after her split from Lattanzi, the star began dating cameraman Patrick McDermott. One of the most lovable characters in "Grease" was definitely Frenchy, the charming, sweet, beauty-loving Pink Lady played by Didi Conn. "Grease" was hardly Conn's first acting gig, and after the movie ended, she never really stopped working. ", Lately, Pearl is pretty active on Instagram, where he posts some political content, as well as reminders that you can book a message from him on Cameo, where he has a five-star rating. Travolta's personal life has also had some ups and downs since "Grease." this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. And Sid Caesar, who played Coach Calhoun, died on Feb. 12, 2014. [21][22][23], In June 2009, Conaway joined Celebrity Rehab castmate Mary Carey at the premiere of her parody film Celebrity Pornhab with Dr. By the time Sid Caesar joined the "Grease" cast as Coach Calhoun, he had a long list of TV and film credits and two Emmy Awards to his name. Harris dead at 31, LeBron James becomes 2nd player in NBA history to score 38,000 points, Pamela Anderson on surviving abuse, paparazzi: Being a mother "saved me", Friends and celebrities pay tribute to Lisa Marie Presley. 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!. Byrnes died on January 8, 2020 at his home in Santa Monica, California, with his family reporting it was natural causes (via ABC). Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, at the same time her father died from cancer. "City Boy" was released as a single. It's been 44 years since Grease debuted in theaters. In 2021, she released her first novel, The Real True Hollywood Story of Jackie Gold, through Star Alley Press. His most recent acting credentials include a short film called "Squeeze," the movie "The Silent Natural," a stint on the short series "BlindDateMe," and the comedy "Boomers. 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. Newton-Johns duet with co-star Travolta, Youre the One That I Want, topped the pop charts, while her solo ballad, Hopelessly Devoted to You, climbed to No. Jeff Conaway was best known for his role as Kenickie in "Grease," as well as his role in the TV series "Taxi," alongside actors like Andy Kaufman and Danny DeVito. Hewas just 46 years old at the time of his death. John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and More. Even if you aren't a huge fan of "Grease," you probably still know Olivia Newton-John as the actor behind Sandy, one of the main characters and love interests in the movie. Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by "Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. [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. Before "Grease," Tucci had only been acting for a few years, so to say that the musical was his big break would be a massive understatement. In 1992, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and became a tireless advocate for cancer research throughout the rest of her life, founding the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Australia. She continued to work onstage as well, eventually earning a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Peter Nichol's A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, and nominations for her work in The House of Blue Leaves and Six Degrees of Separation. Grease wasn't his first time working with co-star John Travolta, as the two worked together on 1976's made-for-television movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. She went on to meet and marry producer John Easterling in 2008. Despite how painful the circumstances were, I felt so lucky to have someone like my mom with me to lean on and cry with, she stated. "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. He posted a lengthy rant . (Allegany County Sheriff's Office), LOS ANGELES - JUNE 16: The movie "Grease", directed by Randal Kleiser. He died overnight having fallen into a coma from an apparent drug . He was 91. Annette Charles' character's bad boy boyfriend, Leo "Craterface" Balmudo, was played by Dennis Stewart in "Grease." 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. In an interview with Snakkle, Ward explained that he loved working on "Grease," especially with his coworkers from the movie. According to a post on her . I get letters from Malaysia talking about 'Grease.'" After appearing in the movie,Manoff went on to star in many projects, writing, directing, and producing here and there. I love you so much. Sadly on. Newton-John, a four-time Grammy winner, died in August 2022 at 73 years old. / CBS News. I remember leaving the studio feeling guilty and unhappy. That claim has not been substantiated. When asked whether she thought of death often, Newton-John said she tried not to focus on it or any prognosis given by a doctor. Played by Dinah Manoff, Marty was the perfect addition to "Grease." She quickly falls in with her own clique the Pink Ladies and the two groups dance and sing their way through the ups and downs of adolescent love. Legal Statement. After her son David was diagnosed with autism at an early age, she has become an outspoken advocate for autism awareness, and in 2008 she was named the National Celebrity Spokesperson for Autism Speaks. 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. Closing out a career that spanned six decades, Caesar died on February 12, 2014 at his Beverly Hills home, at the age of 91 (according to Variety), following a thankfully short period of ailing health. They divorced when he was three,[3] and Conaway and his two older sisters lived with their mother. In 2015, he voiced a seagull in "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water." Univision fires anchor for racist Michelle Obama insult, 'Star Wars Episode 8' to be released May 2017, Talking Barbie is too 'creepy' for some parents, Scammer tries to swindle top tax-crime fighter, Conaway suffered from pneumonia and sepsis, Life support was removed Thursday, his manager says. "Doing everything to stay safe and healthy," he wrote over on Cameo. May she RIP. In an interview with CBS News' Gayle King, Newton-John explained that she had to learn to remind herself not to let the thought of cancer consume her. "We're thankful his struggles are over, but we know he will be missed by legions of fans worldwide. She made several appearances in TV and movies over the years as well but left her career in the entertainment business after earning a bachelors degree fromAntioch University Los Angelesin psychology and theater. The actor first shot to fame in the 1950s detective series "77 Sunset Strip," where he played the comb-obsessed nightclub valet, Kookie, decades before Fonzie of "Happy Days" incessantly combed his own signature ducktail. In a 2005 radio interview with WDCM (via YouTube), Ghostley admitted she was surprised that older fans liked "Grease," but added, "I do get a lot of letters. [18] Conaway stated that he had been an addict since he was a teenager. Aside from "Grease," Avalon is probably most well-known for his role in the 1960s"Beach Party" movies, which he starred in alongside Annette Funicello. It just was the song that I was attracted to and the album. 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.. Edd Byrnes, who played TV dance show host Vic Fontaine in "Grease," was known for more than his flirty prom scene in the hit film. The true story of the g-strings and murders behind, Grammy-winning recording artist and country music star. Legal Statement. Dennis Stewart is best known for playing Leo Craterface Balmudo in Grease. Another actor with a smaller part in the movie Alice Ghostley, who played auto shop teacher Mrs. Murdock, died on Sept. 21, 2007. The Grease legend died at her ranch in Southern California Monday morning, surrounded by family and friends following a long battle with cancer. The press release also indicates that he died of natural causes. Its unclear what date the image was actually taken. Jan, the nerdy, junk food loving member of the Pink Ladies was played by Jamie Donnelly, who originated the part on Broadway, and was the only cast member to play the same role in both the stage musical and the film. Trailer for the Musical classic hit Grease Dame Olivia Newton-John's appearance in Grease as good-girl-gone-bad Sandy will go down in movie history as one of the most iconic roles of all time. Newton-John's more recent roles had been on television shows as a performer, as it's clear that music was her top priority. He made guest appearances on such shows as Barnaby Jones, George & Leo, and Murder, She Wrote. [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. And for a lot of people, "Grease" is their absolute favorite musical and for good reason. Eddie Deezen is reportedly unable to stand trial after his recent arrest due to mental-health -related reasons. The legendary star, who began her movie career in the 1930s, appeared in a plethora of Warner Bros. films,perSlant Magazine, effortlessly crossing genres. In recent years, she poured vast amounts of money into the initiatives, selling off her real estate portfolio to help finance the organizations. Her character was known for her no-nonsense personality and penchant for delivering the daily morning announcements. "I lucked out that my first film was 'Grease,'" he said, noting, "It was just electric because I'd been in high school just two years earlier. Grease (1978) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Randal Kleiser . Deezen is facing charges relating to an April arrest for allegedly trespassing and burglarizing the neighbors at his Maryland home. Tragically, the much-loved actress died at the age of 73 on Monday, August 8, surrounded by her family at her California ranch. he wrote on Instagram. At one point, Byrnes was such a heartthrob that he was receiving upwards of 15,000 fan letters per week, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The song hit No. Played by Jamie Donnelly, Jan had a very sweet and authentic demeanor. Meanwhile, daughter Chloe Lattanzi has faced health battles of her own, struggling with anorexia and drug addiction. She has been married and divorced four times, and was in a long-term relationship with cinematographer Daniel Gillham until his death in 2014. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta as Rydell High School sweethearts Sandy Olsson and Danny Zuko, the film. [3] He made his film debut in the 1971 romantic drama Jennifer on My Mind, which also featured future stars Robert De Niro and Barry Bostwick. Multiple cast members from the classic movie have passed away over the past four decades, including one legendary star who died the year after the film was released. Paramount Pictures; Karwai Tang/WireImage. [5] Conaway remained for the entire run, then toured with the national company of the play Critic's Choice. In a 2019 interview, Newton-John told "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle Kingthat she never felt victimized over her diagnosis. 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. After her oldest son Dashiell tragically died in a car accident in 2017, she began teaching acting at the Purdy Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, WA as a way to deal with her grief. Conaway died the following morning at the age of 60. [12], On May 26, 2011, Conaway's family took him off life support after doctors determined they could do nothing to revive him. In addition to his work as an actor, Pearl has directed a number of theatrical productions, and taught film arts at Joey Travolta's Inclusion Film Company for children and adults with developmental disabilities. She was 93. 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