See the Cast of 'Grease' Then and Now
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They go together, remembered forever!
Grease has been the word for over 40 years.
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John hand jived their way into hearts as Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson in the original Grease movie, which was released in June of 1978.
Related: Where to Watch Grease for Free and How to Stream the Olivia Newton-John Classic
The beloved musical film told the story of the Rydell High lovebirds and their friends in the Pink Ladies and T-Birds. With Paramount+ taking Grease fans back to Sandy and Danny's alma mater in the prequel series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, Parade is looking back at the stars of the hit movie who went together like ra-ma la-ma la-ma ka ding-a da ding-a dong.
Related: Test Your Grease Knowledge!
John Travolta won the hearts of just about everyone on the planet as Danny Zuko of the T-Birds.
John Travolta remains a beloved Hollywood figure, though his signature Danny Zuko greased coif is but a memory now.
Olivia Newton-John starred as the original good girl gone bad, Sandy Olsson.
Sadly, Olivia Newton-John died in August 2022 at age 73 following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Jeff Conaway was the baddest boy at Rydell High as T-Birds stalwart Kenickie.
Jeff Conaway battled addiction for years, appearing on Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew in 2008. He passed away in 2011.
Playing Pink Ladies leader Betty Rizzo, Stockard Channing delivered two of Grease's most memorable songs with "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee" and "There Are Worse Things I Could Do."
Stockard Channing won a Tony for Best Actress in a Play in 1985 for A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. She has since starred in The West Wing (winning an Emmy) and The Good Wife.
Barry Pearl was incredibly endearing as the T-Birds' token goofball Doody.
Barry Pearl had a cameo as Mr. Weaver in the 2016 Grease: Live television special. He's guest-starred in a slew of TV shows, including House, Miss Match and Baywatch.
Didi Conn starred as the best friend we all wished we had, Frenchy—the coolest beauty school dropout there is. (We'd kill for that pink hair today!)
Didi Conn was one of the few Grease castmembers to return for Grease 2. She went on to star in Benson and Shining Time Station. She also made a cameo as Vi in the 2016 televised Grease: Live special.
Michael Tucci starred as T-Birds member Sonny, possibly the oldest-looking high schooler short of Ben Platt in Dear Evan Hansen.
Since Grease, Michael Tucci starred in numerous Broadway productions, as well as Diagnosis: Murder, Flying Blind, It's Gary Shandling's Show, Blow and The Heat. He also served as a theatre coach and drama teacher.
Kelly Ward starred as Putzie, the only blond T-Bird and paramour to Jan.
Kelly Ward stepped behind the cameras in 1983 and became a voice director for Disney Animation as well as a screenwriter.
Frankie Avalon was already iconic in his generation and became even more so thanks to his memorable "Beauty School Dropout" as Teen Angel in Grease.
Frankie Avalon is still performing today.
Comedian Sid Caesar played gym teacher Coach Calhoun in Grease and tried whipping Danny Zuko into shape.
Sid Caesar appeared in Grease 2 and worked with Mel Brooks in History of the World Part I and appeared in several specials. He wrote two books before his death at age 91 in 2014.
Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic
Dinah Manoff had a small but oh-so-memorable part as Mraty Maraschino ("like the cherry") in Grease.
Dinah Manoff won a Tony in 1982 for I Ought to Be in Pictures and played Maggie Peterson in the original Child's Play in 1988. She starred in The Golden Girls spinoff Empty Nest and has made numerous TV appearances since.
Susan Buckner got bullied as the nerdy cheerleader Patty Simcox, who was quick to befriend Sandy.
Susan Buckner appeared in some films (including Wes Craven's Deadly Blessing) and TV series following Grease, but has largely stayed out of the limelight.
Annette Charles starred as Charlene "Cha-Cha" DiGregorio, also known as the best dancer "with the worst reputation."
Annette Charles had small guest roles in TV following the success of Grease. She got her master's in social work and became a speech communication professor at California State Northridge. Sadly, she died from lung cancer in 2011.
Lorenzo Lamas starred as football player Tom Chisum, whose brains Danny Zuko said were "in his biceps."
Lorenzo Lamas went on to star in Falcon Crest, Renegade, Big Time Rush and the reality series Leave It to Lamas. He was also a judge on the blissfully short-lived competition show Are You Hot?.
Jamie Donnelly starred as Jan, the adorably ever-hungry Pink Lady.
Jamie Donnelly has acted in bit parts and guest roles and served as an acting coach in La Canada, California.
Eddie Deezen played the mercilessly bullied nerd Eugene Felsnic in Grease. It was his first acting role ever!
Eddie Deezen reprised the role of Eugene in Grease 2. He appeared in TV and independent film roles before transitioning to voice acting. He retired from performing in 2016.
Alice Ghostley played the beloved Rydell High shop teacher Mrs. Murdock.
Alice Ghostley, seen here with Mel Brooks, continued acting in film and television, most famously as Bernice in Designing Women. She died in September 2007 at age 84.
Edd Byrnes broke hearts as National Bandstand host Vince Fontaine, a sendup of Dick Clark and American Bandstand.
Edd Byrnes continued acting post-Grease with roles in The Love Boat; CHiPS; Charlie's Angels; Fantasy Island; Murder, She Wrote; Mr. Belvidere; and Empty Nest, among others. He died in January 2020 at age 87.
Eve Arden starred as the ever-exhausted Rydell High School Principal McGee.
Eve Arden brought back her deadpan stylings as Principal McGee for Grease 2. She appeared in Hart to Hart and Falcon Crest, among other TV projects, following Grease. Arden died in November 1990 at age 82.
Next, find out everything to know about the Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies series.
