But the former beauty queen turned actress, who was best known for playing brassy blondes, died of leukaemia at the age of 73 on Christmas Day 1979 just a year after the film was released. Luft has two children and four grandchildren whom she shared with her late ex-husband, Jerry Mamberg. 'Can't Hardly Wait' Cast: Where Are They Now. His biggest role was certainly in Grease, but the star also kept working in TV and film starring in Happy Days and Taxi before appearing in reality shows covering addiction in the years before his death. Dennis eventually died of complications from Aids in April 1994. The Hollywood Reporter cited a coroner's report that revealed Conaway's death was caused by a "major internal infection." Clubs will vote for IMG's grading proposals on Wednesday. The 78-year-old has been married and divorced four times over the years, but she doesn't have any children., Channingwas in a long-term relationship with cinematographer Daniel Gillham from 1990 until his death in 2014.. Green joined the T-Birds as Davey. Credit: Everett Collection; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images, Credit: CBS via Getty Images; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images, Credit: CBS via Getty Images; Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic, Credit: CBS via Getty Images; Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage, Credit: CBS via Getty Images; Bobby Bank/Getty Images, Credit: CBS via Getty Images; Albert L. Ortega/WireImage, Credit: CBS via Getty Images; Tara Ziemba/Getty Images. She wassurrounded by her family and friends, according to her husband, who announced her passing on her Facebook page., Easterling did not confirm the cause of her death. Your impact was incredible. 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." In 2022, Luft and her sister Liza Minnelli developed a Judy Garland fragrance for what would've been their mother's 100th birthday. The Australian native was best known as a singer and already had three Grammys under her beltbefore taking on the role of sweet and innocent Sandy Olsson in Grease. The accomplished actor, who appeared in more than 60 movies and TV shows and earned 11 Emmy nominations, died in 2014 at the age of 91. had metastasized and spread to her bones. The actress went on to have an illustrious career after the film and won an Emmy for her role as Abbey Barlet in the political drama The West Wing, Channing was already in her 30s when she landed the role of the feisty Rizzo, The actress most recently returned to the London stage in October 2021 to play Thelma in Night, Mother at Hampstead Theatre, When she took on the role of feisty teenager Rizzo, Channing was already in her early 30s, making her the oldest member of the cast of students., Channing went on to have an illustrious career after the film, including a seven-year run as first lady Abbey Bartlet in the political drama The West Wing from 1999 to 2006.. He's so sweet and wonderful and we were always, 'So how did you do it? Jett tragically died in 2009 at age 16 as a result of a seizure. 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. Manoff has three children with her second husband, Arthur Mortell. He was 46. Jeff was suffering from pneumonia and sepsis , and doctors placed him in an induced coma. Pearl and his onscreen love interest Didi Conn are the only two cast members from the 1978 film to appear inGrease: Live! The 1982 sequel toGrease (1978) was not the hit its predecessor was, sure, but the cult following of Grease 2 which follows a new class of Pink Ladies and T-Birds at Rydell High is unrivaled. Then in April 2009, investigators reported Patrick was alive and well and living in Mexico, where he had fled to avoid debts, including $8,000 in child support. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. His death is The younger Byrnes, thankfully, became sober before hitting age 50 and would go on to live for decades after finding sobriety. 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. After Part 1 of the Netflix series was released on November 4, 2022, the streamer just released the official trailer for Part 2 of season 4, which will premiere on Friday, June 2, 2023. However, Green's passion is working behind the scenes, as he's worked as a production manager on several animation films, including Mulan (1998), Tarzan (1999), The Lego Movie 2 (2019), DC League of Super-Pets (2022) and more. Do you have a story to sell? She's been nominated for an Oscar (for Six Degrees of Separation), various Golden Globes and has won an Emmy and Tony award. She was 73. Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. It's not only affected the movie - the curse is said to have struck the threatre show too with the most notable incident coming in 2007 with a freak onstage accident. Since its release in June of 1978, the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musicalGreasehas remained an enduring fixture of pop culture. He died of Aids-related complications in 1988, aged 53. Throughout the rest of the '80s and early-'90s, he primarily worked in guest spots on TV, and small supporting roles in films,until he booked the role of Zack Allan on Babylon 5from 1994 to 1999. She battled breast cancer again privately in 2013, and in 2017, Olivia confirmed her cancer had returned had had spread to her bones. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1993 and on April 4, 1994, died from pneumonia as a result of complications fromAIDS. 1 on the charts. 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. 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. Tell us again.' She was 93. But within months of landing the role of heartthrob Danny, Johns girlfriend Diana Hyland died of breast cancer, aged 41. She overcame cancer a second time in 2013, but the disease returned four years later. On May 11, 2011, Conaway was found unconscious and taken to an Encino, California hospital. McDonald had his breakout role as not-so-bright Goose, a T-Bird. Drugs and alcohol were his vices, and in 1988, Byrne publicly spoke about both his own addiction and his father's death fromcirrhosis of the liver (according toThe Washington Post). 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. Among the first to pay tribute to Newton-John on Monday was her Grease co-star John Travolta, who lost his wife, Kelly Preston, to breast cancer in 2020., In the wake of the star's passing,FEMAIL has taken a look back at everything she and the rest of the Grease cast have accomplished over the last four decades., Olivia Newton-Johnwas best known as a singer and already had three Grammys under her belt when she took on the role of Sandy in the 1978 musical. The Brit-born star made his debut as exchange student Michael in Grease 2, continuing to work on everything from Dynasty and Casualty to The Colbys and Empire Records (as one Rex Manning). Here's every Grease 2 song ranked from worst to best. One of the few original Grease stars to join the Grease 2 cast, Edith "Didi" Conn reprised her role as Frenchy, charged with taking Michael around school. In addition, she was "hopelessly devoted" to philanthropic works, including a stint as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Program. After two brief attempts at sitcom stardom in the early-1980s, Channing re-teamed with Nicholson and Nichols (as well asMeryl Streep) for the filmHeartburn, based onNora Ephron's best-selling novel. Thumbs up," she began. She won her fourth Grammy for her 1981 song Physical. Eve Arden, who had a long film and stage career, played Rydell High School Principal McGee in Grease. Your Danny, your John!. I love you so much. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Outside of Grease-related projects, Conn played a host of beloved roles on The Practice, Benson and Shining Time Station, as made appearances on Dancing on Ice and Blue Bloods. 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. I think he's an amalgamation of a couple of them," McDonough explained. The movie musical was also where she met her first husband, Matt Lattanzi, and in 1986 gave birth to their daughter, Chloe Rose. Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta starred as Sandy and Danny in the movie musical, The 1978 picture was a huge success and changed the cast's lives, Olivia Newton-John has spent years battling cancer, Olivia Newton John and husband Matt Lattanzi, John Travolta was devastated by the death of his girlfriend, and later his son Jett, Annette Charles died in 2011 - three months after Jeff Conaway, Dennis Stewart, who played Craterface, died of complications from AIDS in 1994. 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. Tucci became a TV household name as long running characters in Diagnosis: Murder alongside Dick Van Dyke and on the comedy series It's Garry Shandling's Show. But the brains behind the story that became a worldwide sensation only enjoyed his success for 10 years. She's stayed out of the spotlight since; her last role was in 1984. After three seasons onTaxi, 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. Cast: Where Are They Now? How to entertain the kids in the school holidays for less than a fiver, The tranquil Yorkshire beach that is nowhere near the sea, Six outdoor swimming pools all 90 minutes or less from Hull, Get breaking news by email by signing up to our newsletters. Jeff Conaway was best known for his role as In"Grease," she lent a sympathetic ear to a beauty school dropout (played by Didi Conn), who was her co-worker at the Frosty Palace malt shop, and in an interview with The Spokesman Review, Ellen Travolta who played a fellow Frosty Palace waitress in the film said it was "a lot of fun" working with Hollywood legends such as Blondell and Sid Caesar in "Grease.". Tell us about the scene with the cigarette. Tony Award-winning Dinah, now 66, went on to feature in films including Childs Play, Welcome Home and Ordinary People after Grease. He died on May 27, 2011. The couple married in 2017. Her cancer returned in 2013 and 2017, and on Aug. 8, 2022, her husband John Easterling announced the icon's death at the age of 73. But what have the other students of Ryedale High been up to since then? Hull KR confirm IMG voting intention amid Championship club promotioncall. Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033, Celeb obsessed? In the years since the movie came out, Travolta has been nominated for two "I know when I spoke with Anabel Oaks, our showrunner and writer, like Kenickie is sort of the archetypal character that I'm loosely based on, and start off with. All rights reserved. The couple had three children together: Jett,who tragically died from a seizure in 2009, Ella Bleu, and Benjamin. Ghostley died at her Studio City, California home on September 21, 2007 at age 81 following a long colon cancer illness, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 'Sweet Home Alabama' Cast: Where Are They Now? It also put her on top of the charts with songs from the films soundtrack, including her duet with John Travolta, Youre The One That I Want. She stayed busy for the rest of the '80s, starring in the film version of the play, as well as parts in Ordinary People (1980)and the horror movieChild's Play (1988). She was best known in the States for her long running role in Empty Nest, a spin off from The Golden Girls, from 1988 to 1995. 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. I get letters from Malaysia talking about 'Grease.'" In May 2017, it was announced that her breast cancer had returned and metastasized to her lower back and she battled the illness until this week. After Grease, Barry, now 72, went on to appear in several TV movies and a strong of American TV series, ranging from an arms dealer to "Professor Tinkerputt" in the hit children's show Barney's Imagination Island. She continued to work onstage as well, eventually earning a Tony award for Best Actress in a Play for Peter Nichol'sA Day in the Death of Joe Egg,and nominations for her work inThe House of Blue Leaves and Six Degrees of Separation, Four Baboons Adoring the Sun, The Lion in Winter, Pal Joey (for Best Actress in a Musical), and Other Dessert Cities. The Cal State Northridge newsletterdescribed her as a "supportive and enthusiastic advocate who helped students find their voice as an instructor of speech communication and public speaking in the Chicana and Chicano Studies department, where she had taught since 2002.". The movie also gave us some memorable characters including Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson. 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. Joan Blondell had a huge acting resume under her belt when she appeared in "Grease" as the waitress, Vi. "Love it," Jason Schmidt (Buddy) shared. After appearing in the 1978 film, Stewart reprised his role for Grease 2 in 1982.. Web5 Actors From Grease (1978) Who have Sadly Died PassedUs 75.9K subscribers Subscribe 34K views 1 year ago #JohnTravolta #Grease Grease is a 1978 American musical Green is now the CEO of The Young Americans, a nonprofit organization designed to teach and inspire young performers. He followed his time on the Great White Way with guest star turns on a number of television shows before joining the cast of the Greasefilm and becoming a series regular on the sitcomTaxi. Edd Byrnes, who played dance show host Vic Fontaine during Rydells prom, was also known forhis starring role in the television series77 Sunset Strip. Feel-good family film Grease changed the lives of its cast forever, but many were haunted by tragedy for years afterwards. Arden also reprised the role in "Grease 2." 15 years after he landed the role of Leo, the actor contracted HIV. The one where EW follows up with the cast. Kelly died at 57 in 2020 after a secret two-year battle with breast cancer. Kenickie, the T-Birds second-in-command, was brought to the screen by Jeff Conaway. Travolta and Preston had set up a foundation in Jet's name to help children with special needs. The comments below have been moderated in advance. The character was the leader of the T-Birds rival gang called the Scorpions. After tackling the lead role as strong-headed Stephanie in Grease 2 one of Michelle Pfeiffer's earliest jobs the actress went on to earn Oscar and Golden Globe Award nominations for her work in such films as The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) and Love Field (1992). Olivia 'Your Danny, your John': Travolta pays heartbreaking tribute had metastasized and spread to her bones. Stewart tragically died from complications relating to AIDS on April 20, 1994 (via Facebook). He died on May 27, 2011, after being taken off of life support. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Didi Conn, born Edith Bernstein, is the only cast member to appear in all three screen adaptations ofGrease,having also appeared in 1982's Grease 2, and Fox's Grease: Live! I'm thinking about it. He had numerous guest-starring TV roles over the years as well. An obituary posted by The Orlando Sentinelrevealed that Arden had also been diagnosed with cancer prior to her death. And Sid Caesar, who played Coach Calhoun, died on Feb. 12, 2014. By Jamie Jirak Not bad for a film that cost a mere $6 million to make. Caesar died in 2014 at age 91. In 2008, on US reality show Celebrity Fit Club, Jeff revealed he was addicted to cocaine, alcohol and painkillers. WebJeffrey Charles William Michael Conaway [1] (October 5, 1950 May 27, 2011) [1] was an American actor. She starred in The West Wing, The Good Wife, and is a regular on the Broadway stage. 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