grease actor dies

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 . He followed his time on the Great White Way with guest star turns on a number of television shows before joining the cast of the Grease film and becoming a series regular on the sitcom Taxi. 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. The actor's husband John Easterling announced her death on her Facebook page on Monday afternoon (8 August).. A few decades following Conaway's TV and movie heyday, fans were sad to see Conaway turn up on "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew,"where he revealed he was addicted to alcohol and prescription painkillers. In 2011, the former actress was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. [14] In 2000, he released the album It Don't Make Sense You Can't Make Peace on the KEGMusic label. It was annulled. [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. 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. She has been married and divorced four times, and was in a long-term relationship with cinematographer Daniel Gillham until his death in 2014. Byrnes died on January 8, 2020 at his home in Santa Monica, California, with his family reporting it was natural causes (via ABC). Olivia Newton-John died Monday at her ranch in Southern California, her publicist confirmed to CBS News. "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. Not bad for a film that cost a mere $6 million to make. Menu. It's an extended family. "Frenchy was very protective of Sandy Sandy was new in town. Other actors and music artists also honored the late singer. 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. No cause of death was given in a statement on her official Facebook page, but. Channing was the perfect actor to play Rizzo, and she continued to shine bright after "Grease" wrapped. [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. She subsequently became a prominent advocate for promoting breast cancer awareness. Olivia Newton-John as Sandy and John Travolta as Danny Zuko in a scene from the movie "Grease," released in 1978. Watch "Dr. Drew" Friday night at 9 ET on HLN to hear about Dr. Drew's close relationship with Jeff Conaway. Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by "Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. "I mean, it's part of life. 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. It just was the song that I was attracted to and the album. Olivia Newton-John died Monday at her ranch in Southern California, her publicist confirmed to CBS News. In"Grease," she lent a sympathetic ear to a beauty school dropout (played by Didi Conn), who was her co-worker at the Frosty Palace malt shop, and in an interview with The Spokesman Review, Ellen Travolta who played a fellow Frosty Palace waitress in the film said it was "a lot of fun" working with Hollywood legends such as Blondell and Sid Caesar in "Grease.". In fact, in an interview with Broadway World, Channing explained that "Grease" was definitely her big break, and, it turns out, it was somewhat of a challenge. The embattled actor first faced harassment accusations for a social media incident in 2021. 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. 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. She married actor Matt Lattanzi in 1984 before the pair welcomed their daughter, Chloe, two years later. 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. In 2012, Lattanzi suffered a semi-psychotic meltdown and spent seven months in rehab with the support of her famous mom. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. [3], Conaway worked as a child model, and attended high school at the Quintano School for Young Professionals. He was 46. Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, at the same time her father died from cancer. After all, Travolta played the handsome stud in the film, and people were understandably taken with him. The true story of the g-strings and murders behind Welcome to Chippendales. Movies. In addition, she was "hopelessly devoted" to philanthropic works including a stint as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Program. Sadly on August 8, 2022, at the age of 73, Newton-Johndied at her California home, reported The New York Times. 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. They divorced when he was three,[3] and Conaway and his two older sisters lived with their mother. She was 73. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ", "Jeff Conaway As Seen in My Award Winning Feature 'From Behind the Sunflower'! In 1992, Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer (via USA Today), leading her to open the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre in Melbourne in 2012. The character was the leader of the T-Birds rival gang called the Scorpions. In fact, Deezen even returned for "Grease 2," but that's not the most impressive role he's had since "Grease." And even now, Conn has nothing but fond memories of "Grease" and her character. The press release also indicates that he died of natural causes. Deezen is best known for playing Eugene Felsnic in the original "Grease" films. "Grease" co-star John Travolta was devastated to hear the news and penned a sweet dedication on social media. She originally co-starred on the sitcom alongside Richard Mulligan and Kristy McNichol, and was featured in every episode of its seven-season run. He posted a lengthy rant . She has been married to her second husband, David Shire, since 1982. 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. 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. While his character in "Grease" had eyes for Dinah Manoff's Marty Maraschino, two decades earlier, young fans had their eyes on him. I worship this woman. ", Travolta posted a tribute to her on Instagram, writing: "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. You were as kind and loving a person as theres ever been. Her cause of death was reported as heart disease. Like nobody else could do Louie or Jim, they were such defined characters. Pearl and his onscreen love interest Didi Conn are the only two cast members from the 1978 film to appear in Grease: Live! 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. Conaway left Taxi after the third season. She was 73 years old. [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. [31], Best Supporting Actor, Comedy or Musical Series, "Jeff Conaway, Actor In 'Taxi', Is Dead at 60", "Jeff Conaway Took a Wrong Turn After Taxi, but Now He's Back on Track as a Soap Stud", "Jeff talks about Vikki and drugs at home", "Celebs Check Into Rehab 2 With Dr. Drew", "Jeff Conaway on Michael Jackson's Death", "Celebrity Rehab's Jeff Conaway: 'I Told Corey Haim He Was Gonna Die', "Jeff Conaway did not overdose, is 'tenuous' in coma as he battles pneumonia, says Dr. Drew Pinsky", "Actor Jeff Conaway's death ruled accidental", "Orson's Last Dance and My Lovely Encounters with Jeff Conaway! The movie musical was also where she met her first husband, Matt Lattanzi, and in 1986 gave birth to their daughter, Chloe Rose. 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. "Hope you're all doing the same during these trying times.". [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. However, Goodman was so in tune with "Grease" that in1994, she even appeared in a Broadway revival of the story in which she played English teacher Miss Lynch, per Theater Mania. He had numerous guest-starring TV roles over the years as well. "I was the first replacement on Broadway for Jan, and I played her for six months." Grease is one of those classic films filled with songs that just about everyone can recite today. The movie transformed Newton-John into one of the worlds biggest stars, with her next solo album, titled Totally Hot, racing up the charts later that same year. In 1988, she booked the lead role of Carol Weston in the hit NBC spin-off of The Golden Girls, Empty Nest. The 1970s were good to John Travolta. 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. If you're curious about what the cast of "Grease" is doing now, here's what you need to know. Putzie, played by Kelly Ward, was another important member of the T-Birds in "Grease." "Or maybe I needed to create one to make it okay for myself. Played by Eddie Deezen, Eugene was like the lovable nerd who remained optimistic even when he was constantly getting picked on by the popular guys. Despite her long battle with cancer, news of Newton-Johns passing still shook the showbiz world and prompted an outpouring of grief from her celebrity friends. Market data provided by Factset. In 1993, he appeared onstage in Real Life Photographs. A post shared by Chloe Lattanzi (@chloelattanziofficial). [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. Deezen voiced characters on "The Weird Al Show," "Dexter's Laboratory," and "Kim Possible." "[30], An autopsy performed on Conaway revealed that the actor died of various causes, including aspiration pneumonia and encephalopathy, attributable to drug overdoses. "Know that we are forever hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia. 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. Conn has appeared on series such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Transparent, and Blue Bloods. ", 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. The true story of the g-strings and murders behind, Grammy-winning recording artist and country music star. In early 2008, Conaway appeared with other celebrities in the VH1 reality series Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. 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. [3], While at NYU, Conaway appeared in television commercials and had the lead in a school production of The Threepenny Opera. 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. 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!. 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