Olivia Newton-John, best known for her role in the musical Grease, died on Monday at the age of 73. This was communicated via their official Facebook account. After the news of her death, the “Grease” cast said goodbye to the actress with touching words.
John Travolta (68) aka Danny Zuko spoke up via Instagram. Captioning a photo of his co-star from the famous musical film, he wrote: “My dearest Olivia, you have made all of our lives so much better. Your impact has been incredible! I love you so much. We will see you again at the end of the road and we will will all be reunited. From the moment I saw you and forever – your Danny, your John!”
Stockard Channing, 78, who played Pink Ladies leader Betty Rizzo in the film, told People magazine: “I don’t know if I’ve ever met a lovelier person. Her cheerful nature, warmth and grace come to me always comes to mind when I think of her,” she added. “I will miss her so much.”
Dinah Manoff, 66, aka Pink Lady Marty Marashino, told the magazine: “As many will attest, Olivia Newton-John was one of the kindest and most generous souls. I was one of the lucky Pink Ladies to spend time with while filming ‘Grease’ you have spent.” The colleague brought “light and laughter” wherever she went. “My deepest condolences to her family and friends at this time of great loss.”
Barry Pearl (72), who played the role of Doody, explained on the “Today Show”: “She just always radiated this positivity. She mastered this journey with so much grace. Her heart was so big.” “Grease” director Randal Kleiser (76) told “BBC Radio 5” that Newton-John “never changed” in 40 years of friendship. “She has always been everything everyone imagines her to be: charming, lovely, warm-hearted. There are so many clichés that can be said about her, but in her case it was all true.”
Newton-John’s family said in the Facebook post, among other things: “Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully this morning at her ranch in Southern California, surrounded by family and friends.” It said the actress “was a symbol of triumph and hope for over 30 years by sharing her life journey with breast cancer.” The statement does not indicate whether the disease was also the cause of death.
