Where are Grease cast members now 44 years after hit film’s release?
Grease became a major hit after its release in 1978. It starred none other than John Travolta and the late Olivia Newton-John
Where are Grease the cast members now 44 years after hit film’s release?
Image: CBS via Getty Images)
(
It has been 44 years since Grease became one of the world’s most-loved musicals of all time.
The students at Rydell High School had us all hooked with their fabulous outfits and incredibly catchy tunes.
Since the release of the film in 1978, many became huge Hollywood stars, including John Travolta and the late Olivia Newton-John, who recently passed away at the age of 73.
Other cast members, including Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway and Barry Pearl, also went on to have fruitful careers in Hollywood.
Where are all the iconic Grease stars now?
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia starred as Sandy
Her husband confirmed she passed away surrounded by friends and family
Image:
( Getty Images)
Olivia Newton-John, who played Sandy in the movie, passed away at the age of 73 on Monday, August 8.
The star, who had been battling breast cancer for 30 years, was surrounded by her family and friends.
The singer and actress enjoyed a successful music career with hits such as If Not For You, and Let Me Be There.
However, her break came in 1978 when she starred alongside John Travolta in Grease.
After the release of the movie, she went on to release songs such as
She went on to have more pop success with songs such as Physical. She even played 175 shows as part of her Las Vegas residency between 2014 and 2016.
John Travolta
John starred as Danny Zuko
Image:
( Getty Images)
He went on to become a huge Hollywood star
Image:
( Getty Images for G’Day USA)
John Travolta was one of the biggest stars to emerge from the film.
He had his breakthrough role in Saturday Night Fever a year before starring in Grease as Danny Zuko.
Since then, he became well-known worldwide and even solidified himself as a Hollywood icon with his role in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film Pulp Fiction with Samuel L. Jackson.
He also went on to star in Face/Off, Swordfish, Wild Hogs, Hairspray, From Paris With Love and Get Shorty.
He won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Get Shorty, a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series for The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, a Critics’ Choice Movie Awards for Best Acting Ensemble for Hairspray.
John also received BAFTA, Oscars and SAG Award nominations.
Stockard Channing
Stockard starred as Betty Rizzo
Image:
( REX/Shutterstock)
Her last acting credit was from 2021
Image:
( Bei/REX/Shutterstock)
Stockard Channing starred as Betty Rizzo after starring in many broadway shows in the years before the movie.
Her performance earned her the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture Supporting Actress.
She went on to have roles in Safar 3000, The Men’s Club and A Time of Destiny.
Her role as Ouisa Kittredge in Six Degrees of Separation earned her a few nominations, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.
She had her very own series, titled The Stockard Channing Show, in 1980. Her other TV roles include The Baby Dance, The West Wing, Out Of Practice and The Good Wife.
Stockard’s most recent roles were in Death to 2021 in, you guessed it, 2021, and the movie Pulling Strings in 2013.
Jeff Conaway
Jeff played Kenickie
Image:
( CBS via Getty Images)
Jeff Conaway was actually Danny Zuko in the original stage version of the musical.
He played the role for 2.5 years before John Travolta joined the show, playing the supporting role of Doody.
However, in the movie, he took on the role of Kenickie.
Jeff later went on to star as Boby Wheeler in Taxi. He also had roles in Wizards and Warriors, Berrenger’s, The Bold and the Beautiful, Babylon 5, and more.
Although he wasn’t as big as John and Olivia, he had many roles in television series over the years.
Unfortunately, he suffered from many issues with addiction. In 2011, he passed away at the age of 60 after contracting pneumonia.
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Didi Conn
Didi as Frenchy
Image:
( CBS via Getty Images)
Didi Conn had the iconic role of Frenchy in the movie, with the incredible pink hairstyle.
Didi starred in the second Grease movie and had roles in Benson and Shining Time Station.
Although she didn’t have many roles in movies, the actress took part in over 40 television series.
Shows included Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Rugrats, The World Thornberrys and Blue Bloods.
In 2019, the star made a surprise appearance as a contestant on ITV’s Dancing on Ice.
Barry Pearl
Barry famously played Doody
He went on to feature in many television projects
Image:
( FilmMagic)
Barry Pearl is well-known for his iconic role as Doody, but he originally played Sonny in the stage version of the movie.
He went on to star in the likes of Murder She Wrote, Beverly Hills 90210, House and ER.
The actor most recently appeared in Grease: Live in 2016
During the summers, he also teaches film arts across the US to the special needs community.
Kelly Ward
Kelly Ward featured in the film as Putzie
Image:
( CBS via Getty Images)
Kelly Ward worked on The Boy in the Plastic Bubble before appearing in Grease. The movie was released in 1976 and also appeared his future co-star John.
He appeared in Grease as Putzie, a character created especially for the film.
Five years after the movie’s release, he stopped appearing on camera but continues to work in the entertainment industry.
Kelly has been working as a voice director for Disney Television Animation and has voice-directed Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, and more.
Michael Tucci
He has been regularly appearing on television since Grease
Image:
( CBS via Getty Images)
Fans remember Michael Tucci from his role as Sonny in the film.
His career didn’t end there as he went on to star in Barney Miller, Trapper John, M.D., The Paper Chase, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, and Flying Blind.
Michael also got a regular role alongside Dick Van Dyke in Diagnosis Murder.
Michael was also cast as Melissa McCarthy’s father in the hilarious comedy The Heat in 2013. His most recent role is as Weezi Abramowitz in The Rich & The Ruthless.
Jamie Donnelly
She was the only person to reprise her stage character on film
Image:
( CBS via Getty Images)
Jamie played Jan, one of the Pink Ladies. She was the only person to reprise her stage character on film.
She continued to act after the movie’s release, starring in Family Affair for a few episodes in 2002 as well as Ray Donovan in 2014.
Her most recent acting credits include Violet in Cargo (2017) and Mrs Decker in The Waitress (2016).
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