Grease' & 'Grease 2' Casts: Where Are They Now?
It's been a long time since they rock-and-rolled, but 'Hairspray' stars Michelle Pfeiffer and John Travolta are no musical novices. In fact, both started out at Rydell High: Travolta in 'Grease,' Pfeiffer in the so-bad-it's-awesome sequel, 'Grease 2.'
What have some of the other Pink Ladies and T-Birds been up to since graduation? Tell us about it ... stud.
ZUMA Press
John Travolta
'Grease'
Then: He was the hottest actor on the planet in 1978, having surged to musical star (Danny Zuko in 'Grease,' duh), sitcom heartthrob (Vinnie Barbarino in 'Welcome Back, Kotter') and disco legend (Tony Manero in 'Saturday Night Fever') in only a few years. No wonder Sandy wanted a piece of that.
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John Travolta
Now: He's had extreme highs (his 1994 comeback in 'Pulp Fiction') and extreme lows (the unspeakably horrendous 'Battlefield Earth'), but his career comes full circle as he goes back to musicals with 'Hairspray.' Of course he's playing an obese middle-aged woman instead of a hot teenage greaser, but still ...
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ROBYN BECK, AFP / Getty Images
Olivia Newton-John
'Grease'
Then: After Marie Osmond turned down the part of Sandy Olsson, Newton-John -- known primarily as a pop singer and still smarting from the cinematic dud 'Toomorrow' (sic) -- won the role of Danny's summer lover who, by an act of fate, ends up at Rydell High.
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Everett Collection
Olivia Newton-John
Now: Still looking great after a battle with breast cancer in the '90s -- and the mysterious disappearance of her boyfriend in 2005 -- the popular songstress (she's had more than 25 Top 40 songs, five of which hit No. 1) recently guest-judged on 'American Idol' and will release a Christmas album this fall.
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Stockard Channing
'Grease'
Then: She was 33 when she ruled the school as brassy Pink Lady Betty Rizzo, who mocks Sandy, hooks up with Kenickie and earns a reputation as 'trashy and no good' ... though also deeply misunderstood.
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Everett Collection
Stockard Channing
Now: After a failed sitcom ('The Stockard Channing Show'), a few film roles ('Heartburn') and steady theater work, Channing earned an Oscar nomination for 'Six Degrees of Separation,' then ruled the screen (and won an Emmy) as First Lady Abbey Bartlet on 'The West Wing.' This fall, she hits the London stage in 'Awake and Sing!'
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Retna
Jeff Conaway
'Grease'
Then: Conaway had played Danny Zuko as part of the original Broadway cast of 'Grease' (he was Barry Bostwick's understudy), but he stepped aside for Travolta in the film and instead bestowed many a hickey as Kenickie, Danny's best friend and Rizzo's erstwhile fella.
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Jeff Conaway
Now: After three seasons on 'Taxi' and marriage to Olivia Newton-John's sister, he fell into that all-too-familiar 'E! True Hollywood Story' pattern: divorce, drug abuse, and a bizarre meltdown on 'Celebrity Fit Club 3.' He did, however, spend four seasons on 'Babylon 5,' and continues to make straight-to-DVD movies.
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Michael Buckner, Getty Images
Didi Conn
'Grease'
Then: The woman born Edith Bernstein played Frenchy, delectably sweet Pink Lady, aspiring beautician and Gatsby of the pajama party. She has the dubious distinction of being the only major 'Grease' cast member to return for 'Grease 2.
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Everett Collection
Reader Comments (16)
stumped at 12:29PM on Jun 24th 2008
im upset that in the original grease,they gorgot eve arden who played the principle at rydell high.she was a fantastic person and very funny.i saw alot of shows and movies she was in.
her relative by marriage at 10:23PM on Jun 24th 2008
What ever happened to Frenchie??? I am related to her and she has done loads of acting since Grease!! Now working on an animation special....you guys mislead the public!!
Shame on you!
She hqas NOT avoided showbiz...you guys are just too lazy to find out what she`s doing!
a great fan!
buzzy at 11:09PM on Jun 24th 2008
Eve Arden has played for many years in movies including one where she played oppisite Lucille Ball. She had her own Television series in the late 1950's or early 1960's in : 'OUR MISS BROOKES" where she played a High School Principle. They were really good TV shows back then with real writers, not like now. "BUZZY"
tvnut at 12:58AM on Jun 25th 2008
Eve Arden as Constance Brooks on"Our Miss Brooks"was a joy.Some of the rest of the cast were, Richard Crenna as Dexter,Gale Gordon as Principal Conklin,and Don Porter as Mr.Boyton.Great Show!
elpapidavid at 2:42AM on Jun 25th 2008
While managing a Starbucks at 42nd St and 8th Ave, I had the pleasure of meeting and becoming friends with Miss.Conn. Not only a beautiful person, Miss.Conn takes the time to greet and converse with people who recognize her for her work. Without revealing anything that may be private to her, I know she is living in a lovely town, north of NYC, and very happy. She is still as beautiful as she was when she portrayed her character in "Grease". She is indeed a lovely woman, down to earth, and I sincerely wish her all the happiness in the world.
elpapidavid at 2:46AM on Jun 25th 2008
While managing a Starbucks in Times Square, I had the pleasure of meeting Miss.Conn on several occasions. Each time, not only was she gracious and charming, but happy to meet people who recognized her from her work.Without revealing too much, I can say she is living happily in a very nice town, just north of NYC. Miss.Conn is indeed a beautiful woman, and charming person to meet. I sincerely wish her the very best in all she pursues.
sgt. gary at 3:09AM on Jun 25th 2008
GOD BLESS
sarge at 3:10AM on Jun 25th 2008
god bless
sarge at 3:11AM on Jun 25th 2008
GOD BLESS
joe at 5:24AM on Jun 25th 2008
Eve Arden played in many movies and had her own TV show, "Our Miss Brooks"
but she was great as the supporting actress in many roles that were very funny because she had very witty or dry sense of humor. I will miss her, she was great in Grease along with Joan Blondell another great actress from that classic movie. She was class all the way because you could trust and believe in any role she played. Start blubering one
of great has gone!............
Brad at 3:00PM on Sep 13th 2008
WOW!!! Jessica Simpson posing nude here:
http://celebzscandalz.com/video.php?v=Jessica_Simpson_nude
Brad at 3:01PM on Sep 13th 2008
WOW!!! Jessica Simpson posing nude here:
http://celebzscandalz.com/video.php?v=Jessica_Simpson_nude
Vince March at 3:43PM on Sep 13th 2008
I don't know how or why there was no academy award nomination
for Michelle Pfeiffer's fabulous role in
The Fabulous Baker Boys.
Her singing & acting were so well done( and sexy).
Lee at 3:56PM on Sep 13th 2008
It was automatic, hydromatic, systematic.
Angela at 5:06PM on Sep 13th 2008
How about Grease the reunion?! That woulld be fun from the 1st one that is!
RJ at 8:04PM on Sep 13th 2008
I love TV trivia. Eve Arden did indeed star in "Our Miss Brooks" She didn't , however , do a show with Lucille Ball. She worked for the other half of Desilu, Desi Arnaz, in a show called "The Mothers In Law" with Kaye Ballard, Roger C. Carmel(who was replaced because he felt he was worth more money, by Richard Deacon, Mel Cooley from "The Dick Van Dyke Show" in the second year), Herbert Rudley, Jerry Fogel , and Deborah Valley.I am also surprised that the late Dody Goodman wasn't mentioned. She was not only "Mary Hartman's" mom. She did a limited bit on "Diff'erent Strokes" as Phill Drummond's(Conrad Bain) sister, Aunt Sophia. I do love TV trivia