Olivia Newton-John attends the 2018 G’Day USA Los Angeles Gala on the InterContinental Resort Los Angeles. Newton-John died on Monday Aug. 8, 2022, on the age of 73. Richard Shotwell, Invision through Related Press
Singer and actress Olivia Newton-John, well-known for her iconic portrayal of Sandy Olsson in the 1978 movie “Grease,” has died, CBS Los Angeles reported.
The actress, who was public about her ups and downs with breast most cancers through the years, died on Monday on the age of 73. Newton-John’s husband, John Easterling, introduced her loss of life on Fb: “Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) handed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by household and mates. We ask that everybody please respect the household’s privateness throughout this very tough time.”
Earlier than “Grease,” Newton-John had already made her method as an artist, incomes her first Grammy Award in 1973 for her nation hit “Let Me Be There,” NBC Information reported. A yr later, she received one other two Grammys for the nation ballad “I Actually Love You,” which additionally marked her first No. 1 hit. Her 1981 smash hit “Bodily,” with its suggestive lyrics, was banned by two radio stations in Utah, Leisure Weekly reported. The track grew to become her largest hit and spent 10 weeks on the Billboard Scorching 100, in line with CNN.
The British-Australian pop star was “Grease” director Randal Kleiser’s first selection for the position of Sandy.
“However she had a couple of considerations,” Kleiser advised NBC Information. “She had had a nasty expertise on an English movie and didn’t need to repeat it.
“(At 29 years outdated) she wasn’t certain she would look the a part of a 17-year-old and wished to verify she and John seemed like they could possibly be contemporaries,” Kleiser continued. “He was a bit youthful (at 23). She requested to have a display check so she may see how she would come throughout and really feel how the chemistry can be between she and John and myself.
“We couldn’t have been extra thrilled by the ultimate outcome.”
Newton-John has mentioned she was “fortunate” to be part of a movie that, regardless of its controversial message, has retained its recognition through the years.
”I don’t suppose anybody may have imagined a film would go on virtually 40 years and would nonetheless be common and folks would nonetheless be speaking to me about it on a regular basis and loving it,” Newton-John advised CNN in 2017. “It’s simply a type of films. I’m very fortunate to have been part of it. It’s given so many individuals pleasure.”
John Travolta, the Danny to Newton-John’s Sandy in “Grease,” paid tribute to his pal shortly after her loss of life.
“My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so a lot better,” he shared in an Instagram submit. “Your impression was unbelievable. I like you a lot. We are going to see you down the street and we are going to all be collectively once more. Yours from the primary second I noticed you and endlessly! Your Danny, your John!”
Newton-John continued to sing and act, whilst she endured therapies for a number of breast most cancers diagnoses.
“Olivia has been an emblem of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast most cancers,” her husband, Easterling, shared in a press release. “Her therapeutic inspiration and pioneering expertise with plant drugs continues with the Olivia Newton-John Basis Fund, devoted to researching plant drugs and most cancers. In lieu of flowers, the household asks that any donations be made in her reminiscence to the Olivia Newton-John Basis Fund (ONJFoundationFund.org).”
Newton-John’s first breast most cancers prognosis got here in 1992, and through the years, by way of her struggles and triumphs, she grew to become an advocate for breast most cancers survivors, NBC Information reported.
“I feel, you realize, what you suppose creates your actuality. So it’s a call. You must make that call,” she advised the “In the present day” present in 2019. “You is usually a sufferer, otherwise you is usually a winner and revel in your life.”