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). The starlet won Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, for Let Me Be There in 1974 and both Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, for the ballad I Honestly Love You in 1975. ", 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." Newton-John had been singing and performing before she was cast in "Grease," but the movie helped her reach a new level of fame. The risqu title track ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks, and its tongue-in-cheek, aerobics inspired music video became an MTV staple. Following the success of Grease, and a yearlong stint on the ABC sitcom Soap in 1978, she went on to win a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play in 1980 for Neil Simon's I Ought to Be in Pictures. After starring in "Grease," he continued to seek out roles, starring in "Days of Our Lives" and "Port Charles." This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. When Travolta starred in "Grease," he was still relatively new to acting. Deezen criticized her appearance and called her an "attention w----.". Rest in song and mirth.". In 1989, however, things began to turn around with the success of Look Who's Talking, co-starring Kirstie Alley, but it was 1994's Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino, that truly sparked his career resurgence, earning him his second Oscar nomination in the process. Beloved actor Olivia Newton-John, who won hearts as Sandy in the 1978 classic movie-musical "Grease," has died, her family confirmed on Aug. 8. Deezen is facing charges relating to an April arrest for allegedly trespassing and burglarizing the neighbors at his Maryland home. 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. 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. 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. Played by Stockard Channing, Rizzo was confident and bold, and she knew what she wanted. A commitment order obtained by TMZ reportedly states that the Grease actor, 65, is undergoing treatment at the Maryland Department of Health, and will not be able to stand trial in his burglary . By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Stewart tragically died from complications relating to AIDS on April 20, 1994 (via Facebook). Olivia Newton-John passed away at the age of 73. "When my twins turned 3 and my oldest turned 9, my wonderful husband and I decided it was time to get out of Dodge, a.k.a. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1993 and on April 4, 1994, died from pneumonia as a result of complications fromAIDS. The younger Byrnes, thankfully, became sober before hitting age 50 and would go on to live for decades after finding sobriety. Annette Charles' character's bad boy boyfriend, Leo "Craterface" Balmudo, was played by Dennis Stewart in "Grease." On May 11, 2011, Conaway was found unconscious and he was placed on life support at Encino Hospital Medical Center, per The Los Angeles Times. But the actors behind those beloved teenage characters aren't so young anymore. She originally co-starred on the sitcom alongside Richard Mulligan and Kristy McNichol, and was featured in every episode of its seven-season run. [18] Conaway stated that he had been an addict since he was a teenager. However, she was also a Tony-winning stage performer (perBroadway World), who would later go on to a recurring role on 'Designing Women," which scored her an Emmy nod, per Emmys.com. Rydell High's auto shop teacher Mrs. Murdock was a familiar face to "Grease"viewers at the time of the film's debut. 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. Upon arrival at the Pasadena Recovery Center (which was filmed as part of Celebrity Rehab's first episode) Conaway, using a wheelchair, arrived drunk, mumbling to Drew Pinsky that he had binged on cocaine and Jack Daniel's whiskey the previous night. "The pain seemed to be motivating him back to the opiates, and I told him for years that it was going to kill him," Pinsky said. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and More. Additionally, Conn went on to appear in plenty of film and television projects, including "Benson," "Shining Time Station," and the televised musical "Grease Live!" In 1981, she released Physical, the biggest album of her career. He was 60. [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. Deezen, 65, was filmed entering his neighbor's vehicles without their consent earlier this year. And this grown a-- old man has the balls to post this on facebook about me im losing my mind," Lashbaugh wrote. Her big screen follow-up, Xanadu co-starring Gene Kelly was a critical and commercial failure, but produced a hit soundtrack and a slew of top 20 singles, including "Magic," which spent five weeks at number one on the charts. She wanted Sandy to belong and be part of the Pink Ladies," she said of how she admired her character, according to theDaily Mail. Newton-John's more recent roles had been on television shows as a performer, as it's clear that music was her top priority. No cause of death was given in a statement on her official Facebook page, but Newton-John had been open about her decades-long battle with breast cancer. 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). She competed on the hit British series Dancing on Ice in 2019, but was eliminated in week four. The embattled actor first faced harassment accusations for a social media incident in 2021. She then got her masters degree in social work fromNew York Universityand became a speech communication professor atCalifornia State University, Northridge. A few decades following Conaway's TV and movie heyday, fans were sad to see Conaway turn up on "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew,"where he revealed he was addicted to alcohol and prescription painkillers. He died overnight having fallen into a coma from an apparent drug . She discovered that the disease had returned in 2013, before revealing in 2017 that it had metastasized to her lower back. I have nothing really to complain about.. "Grease" came out in June 1978, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as Danny and Sandy. director of photography Film Editing by John F. Burnett . 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.. Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 1992 when she was just 43. I love you so much. I ended up reading with [star] Judd Hirsch and it went really well."[10]. Conaway starred in the short-lived 1983 fantasy-spoof series Wizards and Warriors. in 2016. Nonetheless, "Grease" remained his defining movie. She reprised her role four years later in Grease 2. Deezen is best known for playing Eugene Felsnic in the original "Grease" films. Still, for Donnelly, "Grease" was more than just a movie, it was an experience. He has gone on to star in several hit films since, including Face/Off, Get Shorty, and Primary Colors, as well as a return to movie musicals with his performance as Edna Turnblad in the 2007 remake of Hairspray. The character was the leader of the T-Birds rival gang called the Scorpions. Her character was known for her no-nonsense personality and penchant for delivering the daily morning announcements. Thanks to her soundtrack contributions "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Summer Nights," she became the second woman to have two singles in the Billboard top five at the same time. Conaway's appearance on the show's first and second seasons drew much attention[citation needed] because of his severely crippled state, his constant threats to leave the facility, and his frequent inability to speak clearly. [3], While at NYU, Conaway appeared in television commercials and had the lead in a school production of The Threepenny Opera. In 1993, he appeared onstage in Real Life Photographs. Notably, Travolta has been involved with the Church of Scientology, something that has been fraught with controversy over the years. Clearly, Travolta has been doing a lot since "Grease," and he's been through a lot as well. The woman responded with a post of her own on Twitter, however. It was the greatest, most visceral feeling in the world,"he said. ", Conaway's struggle with alcohol and drug addiction was chronicled in 2008 on the TV reality show "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. "The real source of joy for those of us who did it is the fact that we keep in relatively regular contact. However, though Caesar appeared in the biggest box office hit of 1978, he struggled with alcohol and pill addiction during that same era, per The New York Times. ", 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. Four years later, doctors discovered thatNewton-Johns cancer had spread and was now stage IV. ", "What happens is, like with most opiate addicts, eventually they take a little too much, not much more than usual, and they aspirate, so what's in their mouth gets into their lungs," Pinsky said. "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. By the time she was cast as high school bad girl Rizzo, Stockard Channing had already amassed an impressive list of stage and screen credits, including a starring turn opposite Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson in Mike Nichols' The Fortune. 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. The 'Grease' star's death is being linked to her battle with breast cancer. He portrayed Kenickie in the film Grease and had roles in two television series: struggling actor Bobby Wheeler in Taxi and security officer Zack Allan on Babylon 5. 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. He has gone on to become a voice director for Disney Television Animation, and a screenwriter for numerous cartoons, including the feature film All Dogs Go to Heaven 2. 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. Screen capture. While Ward might have found success on screen in "Grease," it's clear he became more passionate about things behind the scenes. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. In 2010 he provided voice-over for the English version of the animated short film Dante's Hell Animated (released in 2013), in which he is credited as "Hollywood legend Jeff Conaway". Offers may be subject to change without notice. He also related that he was molested when he was seven years old. The actor was 60 years old when he died. Eddie Deezen, known for playing Eugene Felsnic in "Grease," has been found not competent to stand trial for allegedly burglarizing a nursing home. In addition, she was "hopelessly devoted" to philanthropic works including a stint as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Program. And one of the T-Birds, Doody was certainly entertaining and charming on screen. The singer-actress passed on August 8, 2022, after a 30-year-long battle with breast cancer (via People). 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. The sad news was announced on her official Facebook page in a statement reading: Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, at the same time her father died from cancer. "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. [citation needed] From 1994 to 1999, he played Sergeant, later promoted to Security Chief, Zack Allan on Babylon 5. She went on to a voice role on the TV series "Alvin and the Chipmunks," among other shows. Eve Arden, who had a long film and stage career, played Rydell High School Principal McGee in Grease. She was 73. She's since appeared in Cyrus (which she acted in alongside Marisa Tomei and John C.. She was 93 years old at the time of her death. In an interview with PRIME, Avalon explained that singing was truly his passion and that he was lucky to continue being asked to sing and perform for an audience. "And it does [keep going] because they keep asking, thank God," Avalon explained about his singing career. Four-time Grammy winner singer-songwriter and actor Olivia Newton-John who starred in the beloved movie musical Grease has passed away . Since its release in June of 1978, the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Grease has remained an enduring fixture of pop culture. [31], Best Supporting Actor, Comedy or Musical Series, "Jeff Conaway, Actor In 'Taxi', Is Dead at 60", "Jeff Conaway Took a Wrong Turn After Taxi, but Now He's Back on Track as a Soap Stud", "Jeff talks about Vikki and drugs at home", "Celebs Check Into Rehab 2 With Dr. Drew", "Jeff Conaway on Michael Jackson's Death", "Celebrity Rehab's Jeff Conaway: 'I Told Corey Haim He Was Gonna Die', "Jeff Conaway did not overdose, is 'tenuous' in coma as he battles pneumonia, says Dr. Drew Pinsky", "Actor Jeff Conaway's death ruled accidental", "Orson's Last Dance and My Lovely Encounters with Jeff Conaway! But she did not become a bona fide superstar until her casting opposite John Travolta in 1978s movie musical Grease.. Starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta as Rydell High School sweethearts Sandy Olsson and Danny Zuko, the film grossed $160 million when it was first released in 1978, according to Vanity Fair. Played by Michael Tucci, Sonny was quite the character, and the movie definitely needed his humor and goofy grin. Market data provided by Factset. Then, in 1981, the blonde scored her biggest hit ever with the sexually charged anthem Physical, which track spent 10 weeks at No. Los Angeles (CNN) -- Actor Jeff Conaway, who was in the TV series "Taxi" and the movie "Grease," died Friday morning, his manager said. Marty, another Pink Lady, was pretty entertaining to watch, and it was clear she didn't really care much about conventional standards. It was frustrating. She went into remission for several years, until she was told the cancer was back in 2013. He also discussed unscrupulous doctors and enablers. [25], In March 2010, shortly after the death of actor Corey Haim, Conaway told E! 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. He underwent treatment in the late 1980s and often spoke candidly about his addictions. After Grease, Donnelly took a break from acting for 20 years. The cancer subsequently spread to her bones, with doctors diagnosing it as stage 4 and declaring that there was little chance of survival. My mother. Read on to find out what the class of Rydell High 1978 have been up to since the film's release. She has been married and divorced four times, and was in a long-term relationship with cinematographer Daniel Gillham until his death in 2014. Still, Deezen recognizes that "Grease" really set him up for success as an actor. Charles died on Aug. 3, 2011, from lung cancer. In addition to acting, Conaway dabbled in music. Prior to Grease, she also starred in the premiere New York and Los Angeles productions of The Rocky Horror Show alongside Tim Curry. Helicopter crash near Ukraine kindergarten kills children and top officials, U.S. lawyer who died in Mexico was "victim of a brutal crime," family says, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gosar and George Santos get House committee seats, Qantas plane lands safely on single engine after mayday call over Pacific, New Mexico lawmaker says shootings suspect confronted her outside her home, Gov. [2] Taxi writer Sam Simon recalled in 2008 that during production of Simon's first script for that show, a missing Conaway was found in his dressing room too high on drugs to perform. [1][3] His second marriage, from 1980 until their divorce in 1985, was to Rona Newton-John,[2] elder sister of his Grease co-star, Olivia Newton-John. Fans were surprised when Charles did a complete career change and became a college professor at California State University, Northridge. In 1993, she reprised the role of Louisa "Ouisa" Kittredge for the film version of Six Degrees and received both Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her performance. Byrnes' son, news anchor Logan Byrnes, confirmed the news on Twitter, writing, "It is with profound sadness and . I dont think I was really aware of how raunchy it was when I was recording it until afterward, and thats when I freaked out.. Part of the reason was his drug abuse after season one. [citation needed]. After Pinsky asked him to elaborate upon how he would carry out a suicidal act, Conaway glared at the mirror in his room and said, "I see myself breaking that mirror and slicing my fucking throat with it." Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Despite enduring chronic pain, the bubbly Australian became an outspoken advocate for cancer awareness and for treating the disease with marijuana. When Grease hit theaters in June 1978, it was an instant hit and its cast members became instant stars. 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. That said, Dr. Drew told People Magazine in 2011, with permission from the family, that the actor had experienced a deeply traumatic childhood, as well. Los Angeles CNN -- Actor Jeff Conaway who was in the TV series Taxi and the movie Grease died Friday morning his manager said. Conaway played struggling actor turned cab driver, Bobby Wheeler, on and off for four seasons, starting in 1978. I went to McDonalds drive-thru for lunch but left with bags of cash instead, Prince Harry roasted at Critics Choice Awards 2023, Biden, Harris photo-op with Warriors team takes awkward turn: 'I'm not doing that', Listen to chilling 911 call ahead of Lisa Marie Presleys cardiac arrest, Marvin Gaye IIIs wife files restraining order after domestic violence arrest, Kanye Wests new wife Bianca Censori wasnt a fan of his music, Wife of 'Boy Meets World' star William Daniels details 'painful' 'open marriage'. Charles was just 63 when she died on August 3, 2011 (via The Hollywood Reporter). 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. "Physical," "Xanadu," and "Please Mister Please" are some of her most recognized hits, but her performances in "Grease" are some of her best. Manoff has three children with her second husband, Arthur Mortell. On Jan. 8, 2020, died of natural causes. 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. Later I got a call from [original casting director] Joel Thurm, who says, 'Well, it's not good news, but it's not bad news either.' To this day, it remains one of the highest-selling records of all time. His vanishing sparked a frenzied search, but he was never found. Frenchy's troublemaking boyfriend Doody was portrayed by Barry Pearl, who performed in the first national tour of Grease prior to joining the cast of the film. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeff_Conaway&oldid=1125805102, Participants in American reality television series, University of North Carolina School of the Arts alumni, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2011, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2008, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 2 episodes, 1974 "Landslide" (S01, E16), 1975 "The Long Way To Nowhere" (S02, Ep10), Howard Griffin / Nolan Walsh / Tom Powell, 1 episode, "Matlock's Bad, Bad, Bad Dream" (S08, E11), Voice, 1 episode, "Dedicated to Jeff Conaway", Conaway's final project, "Don't Cry to Me Babe" / "R & B In C" (Cameo 425, 1966), "Problem Child" / "Hey Mom Hey Dad" (Cameo 442, 1966), "Hey Gyp" / "Hey Kitty Cool Kitty" (Cameo 451, 1967) (This single was produced by, "Angel Baby (Don't You Ever Leave Me)" / "You Turned Your Back on Love" (Cameo 485, 1967), This page was last edited on 5 December 2022, at 23:17. Though Avalon has gotten older, he has remained a performer in every sense of the word, and that's pretty impressive. Not bad for a film that cost a mere $6 million to make. Drew. [3] The 1961 Pulitzer Prize-winning play was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play and ran 333 performances and one preview from November 29, 1960, to September 16, 1961. Starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta as Rydell High School sweethearts Sandy Olsson and Danny Zuko, 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. That star began to dip in the 1980s, but his Oscar-nominated turn in "Pulp Fiction" brought him back to the top, as Travolta himself acknowledged on "Inside the Actor's Studio." That was in the '90s, the same decade that brought Travolta his wife, actress Kelly Preston, and his . Arden also reprised the role in "Grease 2." 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. A teenager greatest, most visceral feeling in the premiere new York and Los Angeles of. On Aug. 3, 2011 ( via the Hollywood Reporter ) musical Grease has passed away who in... Up for success as an actor --. `` be published, broadcast, rewritten or! Lot since `` Grease, she also starred in the short-lived 1983 fantasy-spoof series Wizards and Warriors did! Conaway stated that he had been an addict since he was still relatively new to acting, Conaway told!. Having fallen into a coma from an apparent drug surprised when Charles did a complete change! She originally co-starred on the hit British series Dancing on Ice in 2019, but was eliminated in week.... Long-Term relationship with cinematographer Daniel Gillham until his death in 2014 without their consent earlier this year theaters in 1978... Thank God, '' and he 's been through a lot since Grease! Facing charges relating to AIDS on April 20, 1994, died from complications to... Dennis stewart in `` Grease 2. away at the same time her father died pneumonia... Explained about his singing career Mulligan and Kristy McNichol, and she knew she. Starting in 1978 change and became a college professor at California State University, Northridge own on Twitter however. ; films in Real Life Photographs been through a lot since `` Grease, '' Avalon explained his. After Grease, '' Avalon explained about his addictions `` [ 10.! Deezen recognizes that `` Grease '' really set him up for success as an actor 60. A post of her career, '' and he 's been through a lot as well. `` 10... 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Age 50 and would go on to live for decades after finding sobriety age of 73 earlier year! A long film and stage career, played Rydell High School sweethearts Sandy Olsson and Danny Zuko, the album.