", 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." Rest now, sweet friend. The movie also gave us some memorable characters including Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson. 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.". Another famous character actress, Dody Goodman, played Eve Arden's character's sidekick, wacky high school secretary Blanche Hodel in "Grease" and its sequel. NewsCore. And even now, Conn has nothing but fond memories of "Grease" and her character. [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. ", 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. Kelly Ward brought the youngest member of the T-Birds, Putzie, to life in a role specifically created for the film. Olivia Newton-John died Monday at her ranch in Southern California, her publicist confirmed to CBS News. The embattled actor first faced harassment accusations for a social media incident in 2021. In fact, Deezen even returned for "Grease 2," but that's not the most impressive role he's had since "Grease." The movie musical was also where she met her first husband, Matt Lattanzi, and in 1986 gave birth to their daughter, Chloe Rose. 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). 3. In addition, she was "hopelessly devoted" to philanthropic works including a stint as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Program. He died on May 27, 2011, after being taken off of life support. 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. 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. Prosecutors have since changed his charges to assault and disorderly conduct, however, according to an order obtained by TMZ on Monday. During the second episode of Celebrity Rehab's first season, Conaway, fed up with his back pain, withdrawal symptoms, and the humiliation of having to be assisted while using the toilet, told Pinsky that he was thinking of killing himself. Grease actor Eddie Deezen is not mentally fit for a trial and must remain in the custody of the Maryland Department of Health, according to a court order. After appearing in the movie,Manoff went on to star in many projects, writing, directing, and producing here and there. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He acted steadily throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In early 2008, Conaway appeared with other celebrities in the VH1 reality series Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. 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 5 from 1994-1999. Dennis Stewart. Arden died on November 12, 1990 at her Beverly Hills home at age 83, per The New York Times. The singer-actress passed on August 8, 2022, after a 30-year-long battle with breast cancer (via People). 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." Her last project,"Bart Got a Room,"was in 2008, and in an interview with Empty Nest TV, Manoff explained that she was done with Hollywood. 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. It was frustrating. He was constantly cracking jokes as inappropriate as they may be. "Know that we are forever hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia. In 2012, Lattanzi suffered a semi-psychotic meltdown and spent seven months in rehab with the support of her famous mom. She was 82. Four-time Grammy winner singer-songwriter and actor Olivia Newton-John who starred in the beloved movie musical Grease has passed away . Hollywood legend Olivia Newton-John has died of breast cancer. [2], After breaking into series television in 1975 with Happy Days, followed by guest spots in several other TV shows, and three more films including Grease, he was cast as aspiring actor Bobby Wheeler on Taxi, which premiered in fall 1978. She was 73 years old. Despite enduring chronic pain, the bubbly Australian became an outspoken advocate for cancer awareness and for treating the disease with marijuana. 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. Simpson: American Crime Story. I just couldn't appreciate it and use it as just a job, as a learning experience. [3], While at NYU, Conaway appeared in television commercials and had the lead in a school production of The Threepenny Opera. Conn's most recent work was in the comedy movie "The Mimic," as well as the yet-to-be released film "Paper Dreams.". For fans of musicals, whether they are a Broadway production or a film, there's just something about watching a musical with songs you know all the words to. Other actors and music artists also honored the late singer. Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most Popular Podcasts. "Now I enjoy doing what I want when I want to do it," he said. [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. [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. ", Conaway's struggle with alcohol and drug addiction was chronicled in 2008 on the TV reality show "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 1992, at the age of 43. 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. Your impact was incredible. [15], Conaway was married three times. Sadly on Aug. 8, 2022, news broke that Olivia Newton-John, who played Sandy, died at her home in California after a long battle with breast cancer. By the mid-2000s he had relapsed. Are Any of the Main Actors From The Ten Commandments Movie Still Alive? "Hope you're all doing the same during these trying times.". Trending. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. John Travolta starred as Danny Zuko, leader of the greaser group known as the T-Birds. While Ward might have found success on screen in "Grease," it's clear he became more passionate about things behind the scenes. He was married to Olivia Newton Johns older sister, Rona Newton-John, for five years. Prior to Grease, she also starred in the premiere New York and Los Angeles productions of The Rocky Horror Show alongside Tim Curry. He underwent treatment in the late 1980s and often spoke candidly about his addictions. 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. Conaway died in May of 2011 from complications from pneumonia. He also discussed unscrupulous doctors and enablers. 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 . Her cancer returned in 2013 and 2017, and on August 8, 2022, her husband John Easterling announced the icon's death at the age of 73. After retiring from acting, Newton-John focused on philanthropy, founding the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia. 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." (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) We give each other a lot of support," he said. [3] His mother, Helen, an actress who went by the stage name Mary Ann Brooks,[2] taught music at New York City's Brook Conservatory. The highest grossing movie of the year, it also produced one of the best-selling albums of all-time; a 1982 sequel starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield; a live television event, Grease: Live! [21][22][23], In June 2009, Conaway joined Celebrity Rehab castmate Mary Carey at the premiere of her parody film Celebrity Pornhab with Dr. And, of course, if you have a cancer diagnosis, your death is kind of there. 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. 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.. The couple had three children together: Jett, who tragically died from a seizure in 2009, Ella Bleu, and Benjamin. 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. Inspired by her climactic transformation into "Bad Sandy," Newton-John revamped her sound and image for her next album, Totally Hot, to add more of a Pink Ladies edge. And sadly, two actors Jeff Conaway, who played Kenickie, and Annette Charles, who played Cha Chahave since died. Grease is one of those classic films filled with songs that just about everyone can recite today. The song hit No. The Physical songstress is survived by her husband of 14 years, John Easterling, and her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, 36. The young actor scored the lucky role as the tough-talking, drag-racing, Scorpions gang leader in the hit movie during the same year he played a dancer in the megahit BeeGees film "Sgt. Olivia Newton-John on finding a purpose in cancer, Marie Osmond says her kids won't get an inheritance, Former "American Idol" contestant C.J. The star was treated, but did not publicize the diagnosis at the time. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.. All rights reserved. Olivia Newton-John's breakout role was in "Grease," but she was already well on her way to establishing her name in the music business. 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." "Physical," "Xanadu," and "Please Mister Please" are some of her most recognized hits, but her performances in "Grease" are some of her best. Clearly, Tucci's role in "Grease" wasn't the only highlight of his career. 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