Aaron Tveit, 32, and Julianne Hough, 27, and a whole cast of stars are taking over for the original cast in the highly-anticipated Grease: Live. The 1978 Grease is still near and dear to our hearts, so let’s take a trip down memory lane to see where original cast members like John Travolta, 61, and Olivia Newton-John, 67, are now!
John Travolta (Danny Zuko)
After playing Danny Zuko, John went on to have an incredible movie career. The actor is returning to TV over 30 years after starring in Welcome Back Kotter. He will play Robert Shapiro, one of O.J. Simpson’s attorney’s, in the 10-part FX miniseries The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. The show premieres on Feb. 2.
Olivia Newton-John (Sandy Olsson)
Olivia has continued to tour and make music since Grease. The actress and singer was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 44. She released an EP in April 2014 titled Hotel Sessions. She dropped a single with her daughter, Chloe, and producer Dave Aude in 2014 called “You Have To Believe.” Olivia was most recently a guest judge on Dancing With the Stars, uniting her with Grease: Live’s Sandy, Julianne!
Stockard Channing (Betty Rizzo)
Stockard has had an amazing Broadway career and found success on TV. She played First Lady Abby Bartlet on The West Wing from 1999 to 2006. She frequently guest stars as Alicia Florrick’s mother on The Good Wife. Stockard is gearing up to film the TV movie Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon with Joseph Fiennes and Brian Cox.
Jeff Conaway (Kenickie)
Jeff, who was nominated for 2 Golden Globes for his role in Taxi, died on May 27, 2011. Despite his past drug problems, Jeff passed away due to a number of conditions, including pneumonia and coronary heart disease.
Michael Tucci (Sonny LaTierri)
Michael is currently teaching and coaching Introduction to Fine Arts and Theater Arts at a California high school. He played Melissa McCarthy’s dad in 2013’s The Heat.
Didi Conn (Frenchy)
Didi is one of the original cast members returning for Grease: Live. Didi will play Vi, a waitress at the malt shop. Since Grease, Didi’s had roles on multiple TV shows. She guest-starred on Transparent in 2015.
Frankie Avalon (Teen Angel)
After his teen idol days ended, Frankie became interested in a variety of things. He created Frankie Avalon Products, which sells health products. He can frequently be seen on the Home Shopping Network. Frankie released a cookbook titled Frankie Avalon’s Italian Family Cookbook in 2015.
Dinah Manoff (Marty Maraschino)
Dinah notably starred as Carol Weston on Empty Nest from 1988 to 1995. Her last acting credit was in 2008 for Bart Got A Room, according to IMDb.
Jamie Donnelly (Jan)
She guest-starred as Peggy for three episodes of Ray Donovan in 2014. She played Mrs. Cody in Black Mass and has a new drama, Cargo, coming out in 2016.
HollywoodLifers, are you excited for Grease: Live? Let us know!
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