He underwent treatment in the late 1980s and often spoke candidly about his addictions. 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!. Hollywood legend Olivia Newton-John has died of breast cancer. And Sid Caesar, who played Coach Calhoun, died on Feb. 12, 2014. [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. 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. Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. [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. 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. Her cause of death was reported as heart disease. Eddie Deezen, known for playing Eugene Felsnic in "Grease," has been found not competent to stand trial for allegedly burglarizing a nursing home. [12] Conaway's doctor attributed his death to his addiction, stating, "What happens is, like with most opiate addicts, eventually they take a little too much and they aspirate so what's in their mouth gets into their lungs That's what happened with Jeff. 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. 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. ", 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." 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. [15], Conaway was married three times. It's fun, it's engaging, and it sometimes can bring up feelings of nostalgia to watch your favorite musical. [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. To this day, it remains one of the highest-selling records of all time. Joan Blondell had a huge acting resume under her belt when she appeared in "Grease" as the waitress, Vi. Two weeks later, the decision was made to take him off life support. But I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to record it. Of all the T-Birds, Sonny was certainly the most hilarious of the bunch. Olivia Newton-John as Sandy and John Travolta as Danny Zuko in a scene from the movie "Grease," released in 1978. Additionally, Channing has also made a name for herself on Broadway, starring in a number of beloved musicals. 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. Explaining that she had fun with her co-stars and "played around" while filming, she shared, "You know, we're still all like that. "Another angelic voice has been added to the Heavenly Choir. The Physical songstress is survived by her husband of 14 years, John Easterling, and her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, 36. "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. After the success of the movie, Donnelly took an almost 20-year break from acting, working as a theatrical coach in the Los Angeles area. 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 pair split in 1995. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. My mother. Deezen has seen plenty of success outside the movie musical world, especially when it comes to voice acting. The true story of the g-strings and murders behind, Grammy-winning recording artist and country music star. [17], After experiencing a crisis in the mid-1980s, Conaway came to grips with having a substance abuse problem. "My heart is broken," singer-songwriter Richard Marx tweeted. Nonetheless, "Grease" remained his defining movie. "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. Drew. I had a lot of meetings with [the producers] because I was unhappy Sure, partially it was ego, but let me do what I do best. director of photography Film Editing by John F. Burnett . 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. Conaway's dialogue for that episode was divided between his co-stars Danny DeVito and Christopher Lloyd, who delivered the jokes well enough so that Conaway's absence had little negative effect on the episode. Jeffrey Charles William Michael Conaway[1] (October 5, 1950 May 27, 2011)[1] was an American actor. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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". Lattanzi shared a photo to Instagram with her mom last Friday three days before the superstars death. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1993 and on April 4, 1994, died from pneumonia as a result of complications fromAIDS. 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. 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. 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. Most notably, Manoff starred in "Empty Nest" for several years before moving on to "State of Grace." After Grease, Donnelly took a break from acting for 20 years. The actor's husband John Easterling announced her death on her Facebook page on Monday afternoon (8 August).. In 2011, the former actress was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. 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. 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. Part of the reason was his drug abuse after season one. [3], While at NYU, Conaway appeared in television commercials and had the lead in a school production of The Threepenny Opera. Before "Grease," the legendary character actress was also known for her self-titled TV series, "The Eve Arden Show" and her role as Eve on The Mothers-In-Law," and she even played herself in the classic "I Love Lucy" episode, "L.A. at Last.". She married actor Matt Lattanzi in 1984 before the pair welcomed their daughter, Chloe, two years later. The superstar poured money into her Olivia Newton-John Cancer Fund and helped fund the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute in Victoria, Australia. 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. "Maybe deep down I knew there was a reason or a purpose for it," she said. "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. 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. She was 93. The Hollywood Reporter cited a coroner's report that revealed Conaway's death was caused by a "major internal infection." 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 track which was accompanied by a steamy aerobics video clip, which won a Grammy for Video of the Year was eventually named the biggest song of the 1980s. The movie also gave us some memorable characters including Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson. "Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and . When it came to the Pink Ladies in "Grease," Jan was probably the most laid-back of the crew. I just couldn't appreciate it and use it as just a job, as a learning experience. Olivia Newton-John, the beloved singer and actor known for her 1970s and '80s hits and the movie "Grease," died at her ranch in Southern California on Monday at age . He was 87. Screw. Grease is one of those classic films filled with songs that just about everyone can recite today. Conaway died in May of 2011 from complications from pneumonia. Olivia Newton-John passed away at the age of 73. Since its release in June of 1978, the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Grease has remained an enduring fixture of pop culture. She wanted Sandy to belong and be part of the Pink Ladies," she said of how she admired her character, according to theDaily Mail. While Ward might have found success on screen in "Grease," it's clear he became more passionate about things behind the scenes. [14] In 2000, he released the album It Don't Make Sense You Can't Make Peace on the KEGMusic label. 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. If you're curious about what the cast of "Grease" is doing now, here's what you need to know. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. ; and the upcoming Paramount+ spin-offs Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, and Summer Lovin'. The cancer subsequently spread to her bones, with doctors diagnosing it as stage 4 and declaring that there was little chance of survival. Initial theatrical release of the film, June 16, 1978. He posted a lengthy rant on Facebook about a server at a local restaurant, Kara Lashbaugh. ", Travolta posted a tribute to her on Instagram, writing: "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Its unclear what date the image was actually taken. Arden also reprised the role in "Grease 2." The 'Grease' star's death is being linked to her battle with breast cancer. 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. Los Angeles CNN -- Actor Jeff Conaway who was in the TV series Taxi and the movie Grease died Friday morning his manager said. The Hollywood legend was 70 years old when she died, according to The New York Times. 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. I ended up reading with [star] Judd Hirsch and it went really well."[10]. He says I'm the only choice for a white actor, but that they'd had a meeting and thought that maybe Bobby should be black and that now they're looking at black actors. "You have to think about it," she said. 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. Dennis Stewart is best known for playing Leo Craterface Balmudo in Grease. Sadly, along with all of the fanfare, there has been tragedy. Deezen is facing charges relating to an April arrest for allegedly trespassing and burglarizing the neighbors at his Maryland home. ", 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. And I could die tomorrow a tree could fall on me. Her character was known for her no-nonsense personality and penchant for delivering the daily morning announcements. 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. 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. She has been married to her second husband, David Shire, since 1982. ", On hearing about his death, "Grease" co-star John Travolta said: "Jeff Conaway was a wonderful and decent man and we will miss him. 1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart and No. Pearl and his onscreen love interest Didi Conn are the only two cast members from the 1978 film to appear in Grease: Live! While his character in "Grease" had eyes for Dinah Manoff's Marty Maraschino, two decades earlier, young fans had their eyes on him. Channing appeared in shows like "The Good Wife" and "The West Wing" and starred in movies like "The First Wives Club" and "Practical Magic." Your Danny, your John!" Deezen voiced characters on "The Weird Al Show," "Dexter's Laboratory," and "Kim Possible." Sadly, son Jett died after hitting his head while having a seizure in 2009 (via People). News that he had warned Haim about dying because of prescription drug abuse. In fact, Conn even starred in "Grease 2," making her one of the only original cast members to do so. "Doing everything to stay safe and healthy," he wrote over on Cameo. 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). However, to avoid feeling "burned out," he was selective in choosing what he would agree to. Clearly, "Grease" was memorable for him. In September 2017, Newton-John went public with the devastating diagnosis but insisted she wasnt focused on her illness, but on things that make her happy. He was constantly cracking jokes as inappropriate as they may be. 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. Still, Deezen recognizes that "Grease" really set him up for success as an actor. 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. "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. 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. ", 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. 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. Conn's most recent work was in the comedy movie "The Mimic," as well as the yet-to-be released film "Paper Dreams.". It's been 44 years since Grease debuted in theaters. 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. 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. And his onscreen love interest Didi Conn are the only original cast members from 1978... Still, deezen recognizes that `` Grease '' as the waitress, Vi HIV in 1993 and April... 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