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. 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. Annette Charles' character's bad boy boyfriend, Leo "Craterface" Balmudo, was played by Dennis Stewart in "Grease." 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. The sad news was announced on her official. "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. director of photography Film Editing by John F. Burnett . By the mid-2000s he had relapsed. "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. Travolta's personal life has also had some ups and downs since "Grease." Travolta married actressKelly Prestonin 1991, and theyhad three children together. I love you so much. 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. 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.". Two weeks later, the decision was made to take him off life support. Ill miss you every day. Los Angeles (CNN) -- Actor Jeff Conaway, who was in the TV series "Taxi" and the movie "Grease," died Friday morning, his manager said. Conn's most recent work was in the comedy movie "The Mimic," as well as the yet-to-be released film "Paper Dreams.". 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. Not only was Olivia a dear friend, but one of the nicest people I had the pleasure of recording and performing with," wrote Dionne Warwick. "Know that we are forever hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia. Donnelly added, "The movie was a joy to do," in large part because of the cast. 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. Last fall, Newton-Johntold Fox Newsthat she felt the track was a bit raunchy when it first came out. My eating disorder started when I was 15 and carried on until my early 20s, the star told the Mail on Sunday in 2013. Not bad for a film that cost a mere $6 million to make. Rydell High's auto shop teacher Mrs. Murdock was a familiar face to "Grease"viewers at the time of the film's debut. May she RIP. She worked steadily through the '90s before joining the cast of the celebrated drama The West Wing in 1999 which brought her six Emmy nominations and one win. That claim has not been substantiated. Rest now, sweet friend. [citation needed] From 1994 to 1999, he played Sergeant, later promoted to Security Chief, Zack Allan on Babylon 5. [15], Conaway was married three times. Manoff has three children with her second husband, Arthur Mortell. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. You were as kind and loving a person as theres ever been. 1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart and No. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. She went on to a voice role on the TV series "Alvin and the Chipmunks," among other shows. And sadly, two actors Jeff Conaway, who played Kenickie, and Annette Charles, who played Cha Chahave since died. Trending. Sadly, along with all of the fanfare, there has been tragedy. He was married to Olivia Newton Johns older sister, Rona Newton-John, for five years. [24], In August 2009, Conaway was interviewed by Entertainment Tonight. 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. 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. [5] Conaway remained for the entire run, then toured with the national company of the play Critic's Choice. The daughter of screenwriter Arnold Manoff, and Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress/director Lee Grant, Dinah Manoff played Marty Maraschino, the Pink Ladies biggest flirt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Here's What The Cast Of Grease Is Doing Now, Paramount Pictures, Walter McBride/Getty Images, Paramount Pictures, G'day Usa/Getty Images, Paramount Pictures, Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images, Paramount Pictures, Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images, Paramount Pictures, Bobby Bank/Getty Images, Paramount Pictures, Robert Mora/Getty Images. "Or maybe I needed to create one to make it okay for myself. pic.twitter.com/Z1zkVe9CVb, Barbra Streisand also shared a photo and wrote, "Too young to leave this world. The press release also indicates that he 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. News that he had warned Haim about dying because of prescription drug abuse. '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 . His vanishing sparked a frenzied search, but he was never found. She was 93 years old at the time of her death. 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". When Travolta starred in "Grease," he was still relatively new to acting. Tucci's most recent role was in the thriller "PinkCity: A Psychedelic Meditation," which was in post-production as of 2020. Legal Statement. 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). Then, in 1981, the blonde scored her biggest hit ever with the sexually charged anthem Physical, which track spent 10 weeks at No. [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. "Because the joy of life and everyday living has to be a part of that healing process as well,"she said. He died on May 27, 2011, after being taken off of life support. 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. After her turn as beauty school dropout Frenchy in the original 1978 film, she went on to star in television shows like The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang, Benson, and the PBS series Shining Time Station alongside Ringo Starr, and later, George Carlin. Still, "Grease" was definitely a defining moment in Conn's life and career. [3] After playing with the rock band 3 1/2 beginning at age 15, he attended the North Carolina School of the Arts[3][6] and later transferred to New York University. 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.. ", On hearing about his death, "Grease" co-star John Travolta said: "Jeff Conaway was a wonderful and decent man and we will miss him. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. ", "Jeff Conaway As Seen in My Award Winning Feature 'From Behind the Sunflower'! Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 1992 when she was just 43. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. A US Coast Guard investigation, released in 2008, suggested McDermott was lost at sea. However, in April 2010, a private investigator hired by an American television program claimed McDermott was alive in Mexico and had faked his death for a life insurance payout. I worship this woman. She has been married to her second husband, David Shire, since 1982. 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. The Post has reached out to Newton-Johns rep for further comment. The song hit No. 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. He died overnight having fallen into a coma from an apparent drug . [2], His father, Charles,[2] was an actor, producer, and publisher. Notably, Travolta has been involved with the Church of Scientology, something that has been fraught with controversy over the years. Are Any of the Main Actors From The Ten Commandments Movie Still Alive? Bruce Springsteen's manager, Mike Appel, produced the album. In addition to the Pink Ladies in "Grease," the guys trying to woo them, the T-Birds, were also a big part of the film. Grease is the word! It's been 44 years since Grease debuted in theaters. He was 46. However, to avoid feeling "burned out," he was selective in choosing what he would agree to. Deezen, 65, was filmed entering his neighbor's vehicles without their consent earlier this year. Kelly Ward brought the youngest member of the T-Birds, Putzie, to life in a role specifically created for the film. Conaway played struggling actor turned cab driver, Bobby Wheeler, on and off for four seasons, starting in 1978. Another famous character actress, Dody Goodman, played Eve Arden's character's sidekick, wacky high school secretary Blanche Hodel in "Grease" and its sequel. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. The singer-actress passed on August 8, 2022, after a 30-year-long battle with breast cancer (via People). 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). Travolta was married to the late Kelly Preston from 1991 until her death from breast cancer in July of 2020. Five years after that, she revealed that the cancer had metastasized. Later, in 2013,doctors discovered she had cancer in her shoulder, andin 2018, Newton-John shared that her stage 4 breast cancer had spread to her spine. he wrote on Instagram. 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. And this grown a-- old man has the balls to post this on facebook about me im losing my mind," Lashbaugh wrote. In fact, Conn even starred in "Grease 2," making her one of the only original cast members to do so. Her husband, John Easterling, shared a statement via Newton-Jonh's Instagram account. Fans were surprised when Charles did a complete career change and became a college professor at California State University, Northridge. Offers may be subject to change without notice. [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. Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Shepassed away from leukemia on December 25, 1979, a little more than a year after "Grease" was released and two years after getting an Academy Award nomination for her film, "Opening Night." On Nov. 12, 1990, she died from heart disease. Her cause of death was reported as heart disease. 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. Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. She then got her masters degree in social work fromNew York Universityand became a speech communication professor atCalifornia State University, Northridge. in 2016. Deezen has seen plenty of success outside the movie musical world, especially when it comes to voice acting. 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 was a severe, severe opiate addict with chronic pain, one of the most serious and dangerous combination of problems you could possibly interact with," Dr. Drew Pinsky said during a taping for Friday night's "Dr. Drew" on HLN. 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. Fans already knew actress Alice Ghostley from her role as clumsy housekeeper Esmeralda on the ABC sitcom "Bewitched." Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, at the same time her father died from cancer. My mother. On May 11, 2011, Conaway was found unconscious and taken to an Encino, California hospital. 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." [28][29], Though his drug use did not cause his pneumonia, it hampered Conaway's ability to recognize how severely ill he was and to seek treatment for pneumonia until it was too late. "And it does [keep going] because they keep asking, thank God," Avalon explained about his singing career. She stayed busy for the rest of the '80s, starring in the film version of the play, as well as parts in Ordinary People, and the horror movie Child's Play. Joan Blondell had a huge acting resume under her belt when she appeared in "Grease" as the waitress, Vi. He was 87. or redistributed. In the years since, he has built a long list of guest star credits on TV shows ranging from Alfred Hitchcock Presents, to Baywatch, Beverly Hills 90210, and Even Stevens. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. "Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and . The "Grease" legend died at her ranch in Southern California Monday morning, surrounded by family and friends following a long battle with cancer. Instead I saw it as, 'Hey, anybody could do this character.' In 2005, their on-off nine-year relationship became headline news following McDermotts mysterious disappearance while on a fishing trip off the coast of California. Olivia Newton-John passed away at the age of 73. Arden died on November 12, 1990 at her Beverly Hills home at age 83, per The New York Times. On Jan. 8, 2020, died of natural causes. 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. Conaway had suffered a back injury earlier in his career on the set of Grease while filming the "Greased Lightning" scene, which had been exacerbated recently by lifting boxes in his home, and he had turned to substances to manage the pain. 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. 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! 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. 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. He was 87 years old. "I was glad when it was over, to tell you the truth," the actress said. Ward added that he mostly bonded with "creative visionaries, Pat Birch and Randal Kleiser," the movie's choreographer and director, respectively, which makes sense considering his affinity for producing and writing. 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. 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 has been married and divorced four times, and was in a long-term relationship with cinematographer Daniel Gillham until his death in 2014. He posted a lengthy rant on Facebook about a server at a local restaurant, Kara Lashbaugh. Channing has continued to appear on both stage and screen, and played a recurring role on the CBS drama The Good Wife until 2016. Edd Byrnes was already a well-known actor before appearing in the movie thanks to his role in the television series 77 Sunset Strip . But when her family decides to stay in America, Sandy is enrolled in Rydell High alongside Danny, who tries to play it cool in front of his gang of greaser friends the T-Birds causing friction between them. From 1989 to 1990, he played Mick Savage on The Bold and the Beautiful. 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.