Edd Byrnes was already a well-known actor before appearing in the movie thanks to his role in the television series 77 Sunset Strip . No cause of death was given in a statement on her official Facebook page, but. After all, Travolta played the handsome stud in the film, and people were understandably taken with him. After appearing in the 1978 film, Stewart reprised his role for Grease 2 in 1982. [11] Conaway was reported at the time to be dissatisfied with being typecast as a "blond bimbo" and the "butt of struggling-actor jokes," along with finding the nature of the role repetitive. 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I have a wonderful husband, I have all the animals I adore, I have an incredible career. Grease wasn't his first time working with co-star John Travolta, as the two worked together on 1976's made-for-television movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. Charles died on Aug. 3, 2011, from lung cancer. Sadly, son Jett died after hitting his head while having a seizure in 2009 (via People). Sadly, like so many stars, Byrnes struggled with addictive tendencies. [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. He was married to Olivia Newton Johns older sister, Rona Newton-John, for five years. "Eddie Deezen is a f---ing CREEP who comes into my work at least once a week, calls and asks other servers for my schedule, and if he comes in and im not wearing makeup HE LEAVES. [12], On May 26, 2011, Conaway's family took him off life support after doctors determined they could do nothing to revive him. Despite how painful the circumstances were, I felt so lucky to have someone like my mom with me to lean on and cry with, she stated. She reprised her role four years later in Grease 2. Newton-John, a four-time Grammy winner, died in August 2022 at 73 years old. Like nobody else could do Louie or Jim, they were such defined characters. John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and More. NewsCore. Hewas just 46 years old at the time of his death. Catch up with your favorite members of the iconic cast after they flew off in a convertible into the sky. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "Never in my life did I think it would turn out to be what it was.". A look back at the crazy true story of Chippendales founder Somen "Steve" Banerjee and the murder and murder-for-hire plots at the center of the Hulu series. I ended up reading with [star] Judd Hirsch and it went really well."[10]. I love you so much. "I was glad when it was over, to tell you the truth," the actress said. I would be out partying every night at different Hollywood clubs, running into other young celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, and just partying the night away, she further stated. And I could die tomorrow a tree could fall on me. "He was the consummate performer and entertainer," Brock said. Watch "Dr. Drew" Friday night at 9 ET on HLN to hear about Dr. Drew's close relationship with Jeff Conaway. Instead I saw it as, 'Hey, anybody could do this character.' Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders. 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. Of all the T-Birds, Sonny was certainly the most hilarious of the bunch. She went on to meet and marry producer John Easterling in 2008. 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. The 1978 movie, set in the '50s, follows a group of high school students as they navigate life and love. Conaway died in May of 2011 from complications from pneumonia. In addition to her health woes, Newton-John also faced a series of other struggles in her personal life. Ill miss you every day. Stewart tragically died from complications relating to AIDS on April 20, 1994 (via Facebook). (Allegany County Sheriff's Office), LOS ANGELES - JUNE 16: The movie "Grease", directed by Randal Kleiser. She made several appearances in TV and movies over the years as well but left her career in the entertainment business after earning a bachelors degree fromAntioch University Los Angelesin psychology and theater. [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. "[30], An autopsy performed on Conaway revealed that the actor died of various causes, including aspiration pneumonia and encephalopathy, attributable to drug overdoses. 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. 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. ", "Jeff Conaway As Seen in My Award Winning Feature 'From Behind the Sunflower'! [14] In 2000, he released the album It Don't Make Sense You Can't Make Peace on the KEGMusic label. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. 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. The "Grease" legend died at her ranch in Southern California Monday morning, surrounded by family and friends following a long battle with cancer. 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. Legal Statement. May she RIP. Part of the reason was his drug abuse after season one. My mother. Los Angeles," she explained, adding, "So now I am raising my kids, riding my horse, writing a novel, teaching acting, cooking vegetable soup from my garden.". Though she wasn't exactly someone's main love interest in "Grease," Rizzo was perhaps one of the movie's most important characters. The show revealed that Conaway was addicted to cocaine, alcohol, and painkillers, and that he was in a codependent relationship with his girlfriend, who was also a user of prescription opiates. Though Avalon has gotten older, he has remained a performer in every sense of the word, and that's pretty impressive. They divorced when he was three,[3] and Conaway and his two older sisters lived with their mother. That's what happened with Jeff.". Paramount Pictures; Karwai Tang/WireImage. Additionally, Channing has also made a name for herself on Broadway, starring in a number of beloved musicals. The Physical songstress is survived by her husband of 14 years, John Easterling, and her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, 36. Binge-worthy entertainment news and celebrity interviews. [12] He also felt creatively stymied: I wanted to do things with Bobby, but as the show went on, I could see I wasn't going to get that chance Lemme tell you I loved Bobby, I identified with Bobby. 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. "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. In an interview with Home Theater Forum, Deezen explained how happy "Grease" made him. "I mean, it's part of life. In a 2005 radio interview with WDCM (via YouTube), Ghostley admitted she was surprised that older fans liked "Grease," but added, "I do get a lot of letters. He posted a lengthy rant on Facebook about a server at a local restaurant, Kara Lashbaugh. 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. All rights reserved. So, yeah, I kind of took everything personally. [citation needed]. While she became famous for her role in "Grease," Charles only logged a few acting credits after the hit film, per IMDb, including an appearance on "The Incredible Hulk" TV series, and she appears to have pretty much left acting behind for good in 1987. His third marriage was to Kerri Young from 1990 to 2000. Jeff Conaway. Your impact was incredible. 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." 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. Not bad for a film that cost a mere $6 million to make. Los Angeles (CNN) -- Actor Jeff Conaway, who was in the TV series "Taxi" and the movie "Grease," died Friday morning, his manager said. A post shared by Chloe Lattanzi (@chloelattanziofficial). or redistributed. A year after her split from Lattanzi, the star began dating cameraman Patrick McDermott. [1][3] His second marriage, from 1980 until their divorce in 1985, was to Rona Newton-John,[2] elder sister of his Grease co-star, Olivia Newton-John. The cast has also had their fair share of ups and downs in the 44 years since Grease debuted in theaters. 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). I just couldn't appreciate it and use it as just a job, as a learning experience. 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. In addition to playing fan favorite Kenickie in Grease, John Conaway was also known for his role as Bobby Wheeler inTaxiand security officer Zack Allan inBabylon 5. 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. The legendary star, who began her movie career in the 1930s, appeared in a plethora of Warner Bros. films,perSlant Magazine, effortlessly crossing genres. She was 82. 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 . (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) In a 2019 interview, Newton-John told "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle Kingthat she never felt victimized over her diagnosis. While she was arguably most known for playing Sandy in the cult classic, Newton-John had an incredible music career that earned her four GRAMMY awards out of 12 nominations. 3. Your impact was incredible., A post shared by John Travolta (@johntravolta). 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. I remember leaving the studio feeling guilty and unhappy. The star was treated, but did not publicize the diagnosis at the time. After "Grease," Ward continued acting for a bitand got into voice acting as well, voicing characters in the likes of "Challenge of the GoBots" and "Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures." Fans already knew actress Alice Ghostley from her role as clumsy housekeeper Esmeralda on the ABC sitcom "Bewitched." [3], While at NYU, Conaway appeared in television commercials and had the lead in a school production of The Threepenny Opera. ", First published on August 8, 2022 / 3:43 PM. All rights reserved. Clearly, Travolta has been doing a lot since "Grease," and he's been through a lot as well. Before "Grease," Goodman played Mary Hartman's mother on the late night soap of the same name, and after the film, she logged a recurring role on the NBC sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes." Newton-John's more recent roles had been on television shows as a performer, as it's clear that music was her top priority. Conaway was born in Manhattan, New York, and raised in the Astoria, Flushing and Forest Hills neighborhoods of Queens. He appeared in films such as Jawbreaker, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, and Do You Wanna Know a Secret? But in 1998, she came out of retirement. Prosecutors have since changed his charges to assault and disorderly conduct, however, according to an order obtained by TMZ on Monday. ", On hearing about his death, "Grease" co-star John Travolta said: "Jeff Conaway was a wonderful and decent man and we will miss him. The superstar poured money into her Olivia Newton-John Cancer Fund and helped fund the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute in Victoria, Australia. She also began abusing cocaine and chugging down a bottle of vodka every day. After Grease, Donnelly took a break from acting for 20 years. 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. Deezen, 65, was filmed entering his neighbor's vehicles without their consent earlier this year. he wrote on Instagram. You were as kind and loving a person as theres ever been. 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. Still, for Donnelly, "Grease" was more than just a movie, it was an experience. "Doing everything to stay safe and healthy," he wrote over on Cameo. In 2015, he voiced a seagull in "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water." 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. [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. In 1980, Newton-John tried her hand at a second movie musical with Xanadu, but the film flopped with critics and didnt resonate with audiences. No cause of death was given in a statement on her official Facebook page, but Newton-John had been open about her decades-long battle with breast cancer. She was 73 years old. 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. 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.. The character was the leader of the T-Birds rival gang called the Scorpions. 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. On Nov. 12, 1990, she died from heart disease. The couple had three children together: Jett, who tragically died from a seizure in 2009, Ella Bleu, and Benjamin. The singer-actress passed on August 8, 2022, after a 30-year-long battle with breast cancer (via People). Conaway left Taxi after the third season. The starlet won Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, for Let Me Be There in 1974 and both Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, for the ballad I Honestly Love You in 1975. In 2012, Lattanzi suffered a semi-psychotic meltdown and spent seven months in rehab with the support of her famous mom. Channing was the perfect actor to play Rizzo, and she continued to shine bright after "Grease" wrapped. An obituary posted by The Orlando Sentinelrevealed that Arden had also been diagnosed with cancer prior to her death. Needless to say, Caesar was widely known as a comedian and musician long before playing the Rydell High coach who (hilariously) tries to help John Travolta's Danny Zuko become a jock. Donnelly added, "The movie was a joy to do," in large part because of the cast. Putzie, played by Kelly Ward, was another important member of the T-Birds in "Grease." Played by Stockard Channing, Rizzo was confident and bold, and she knew what she wanted. [16] His stepson, Emerson Newton-John,[1] is a race car driver. In the 1980s, the actor embarked on a healthy lifestyle journey that would ultimately help him live a very long life. Legal Statement. Rydell High's auto shop teacher Mrs. Murdock was a familiar face to "Grease"viewers at the time of the film's debut. The Hollywood legend was 70 years old when she died, according to The New York Times. She married actor Matt Lattanzi in 1984 before the pair welcomed their daughter, Chloe, two years later. After appearing in the movie,Manoff went on to star in many projects, writing, directing, and producing here and there. 2 min read. Actor Eddie Deezen is has been found not competent to stand trial in a nursing home burglary case because of a mental disorder. Deezen has seen plenty of success outside the movie musical world, especially when it comes to voice acting. Meanwhile, daughter Chloe Lattanzi has faced health battles of her own, struggling with anorexia and drug addiction. 1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart and No. Kelly Ward brought the youngest member of the T-Birds, Putzie, to life in a role specifically created for the film. However, though Caesar appeared in the biggest box office hit of 1978, he struggled with alcohol and pill addiction during that same era, per The New York Times. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.. While Ward might have found success on screen in "Grease," it's clear he became more passionate about things behind the scenes. "City Boy" was released as a single. Olivia loved helping people. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. "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. It was annulled. 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. It's been 44 years since Grease debuted in theaters. To this day, it remains one of the highest-selling records of all time. 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. 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. 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." He made guest appearances on such shows as Barnaby Jones, George & Leo, and Murder, She Wrote. He was an actor, known for Grease (1978), Grease 2 (1982) and Moonlighting (1985). Clearly, "Grease" was memorable for him. She added: I wasnt doing it on purpose. ", My heart is broken. He died on May 27, 2011. In addition to the box office and Billboard success brought on by the musical, her performance in Grease also landed her a Golden Globe nomination. Eddie Deezen is reportedly unable to stand trial after his recent arrest due to mental-health -related reasons. It just was the song that I was attracted to and the album. Other actors and music artists also honored the late singer. Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, at the same time her father died from cancer. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. WATCH: Grease legend Dame Olivia Newton-John dies aged 73. . Actor: Grease. 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. In 1989, however, things began to turn around with the success of Look Who's Talking, co-starring Kirstie Alley, but it was 1994's Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino, that truly sparked his career resurgence, earning him his second Oscar nomination in the process. Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 1992, at the age of 43. in 2016. The commitment order, obtained by TMZ, shows. "Hope you're all doing the same during these trying times.". Jeff Conaway was best known for his role as Kenickie in "Grease," as well as his role in the TV series "Taxi," alongside actors like Andy Kaufman and Danny DeVito. She went into remission for several years, until she was told the cancer was back in 2013. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Conaway, 60, suffered from pneumonia and sepsis in recent weeks and had been in a medically-induced coma in an Encino, California, hospital for two weeks, manager Phil Brock said. Sadly, along with all of the fanfare, there has been tragedy. 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. While his character in "Grease" had eyes for Dinah Manoff's Marty Maraschino, two decades earlier, young fans had their eyes on him. 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.. Then in 2020, Preston died of breast cancer, asPeople reported. While pneumonia was the cause of death, the doctor who. Edd Byrnes, who played dance show host Vic Fontaine during Rydells prom, was also known forhis starring role in the television series77 Sunset Strip. Let there be Mavericks, Bollywood magic, and a Cate Blanchett maestro on the loose. Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Rest in song and mirth.". Its unclear what date the image was actually taken. Since its release in June of 1978, the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Grease has remained an enduring fixture of pop culture. News that he had warned Haim about dying because of prescription drug abuse. Olivia Newton-John as Sandy and John Travolta as Danny Zuko in a scene from the movie "Grease," released in 1978. In the years since the movie came out, Travolta has been nominated for two Oscars. (CBS via Getty Images), CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER. The story of high school sweethearts Danny Zuko ( John Travolta) and Sandy Olsson ( Olivia Newton-John) is a quintessential tale of teenage devotion set against the musical backdrop of the 1950s.. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. In an interview with Snakkle, Ward explained that he loved working on "Grease," especially with his coworkers from the movie. Doctors discovered a malignant tumor in her right breast and she underwent a modified radical mastectomy and chemotherapy before eventually being declared cancer free. 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. CHRIS ROCK'S BROTHER CHALLENGES WILL SMITH TO A BOXING MATCH AFTER OSCARS SLAP, Eddie Deezen was arrested on burglary charges in April 2022. The actor's husband John Easterling announced her death on her Facebook page on Monday afternoon (8 August).. 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. They call it reinventing yourself, the superstar said about how fans looked at her differently following the release of the single. 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. Are Any of the Main Actors From The Ten Commandments Movie Still Alive? 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. He was 87. ", 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." It's fun, it's engaging, and it sometimes can bring up feelings of nostalgia to watch your favorite musical. We've received your submission. In 1988, she booked the lead role of Carol Weston in the hit NBC spin-off of The Golden Girls, Empty Nest. 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. She was 73. In 1981, she released Physical, the biggest album of her career. 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. 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 actor, who played geeky Eugene Felsnic in the "Grease" musical films and Eddie in the 1980s sitcom "Punky Brewster," also has been transferred to the Maryland Department of Health for treatment, according to Allegany County Circuit Court records reviewed Monday by . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. [21][22][23], In June 2009, Conaway joined Celebrity Rehab castmate Mary Carey at the premiere of her parody film Celebrity Pornhab with Dr. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Grease (1978) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. / CBS News. From disco-trap to deconstructed techno to Dolly-style country, we rank our favorite tracks this year. Four years later, doctors discovered thatNewton-Johns cancer had spread and was now stage IV. Played by Dinah Manoff, Marty was the perfect addition to "Grease." [24], In August 2009, Conaway was interviewed by Entertainment Tonight. There was no evidence he ever intentionally overdosed, Pinsky said. Four-time Grammy winner singer-songwriter and actor Olivia Newton-John who starred in the beloved movie musical Grease has passed away . 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. After retiring from acting, Newton-John focused on philanthropy, founding the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia. "Grease" came out in June 1978, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as Danny and Sandy. "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. 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