The late Olivia Newton-John, who costarred as Sandy, was 29 at the time Grease was filmed; Stockard Channing, who played Rizzo, was the principal cast's oldest member at 33 during filming, according to a 2016 Vanity Fair article about the production.

Who was the oldest actor in the movie Grease?

Among the principal cast, Stockard Channing's Rizzo was the oldest, as she was 33 during filming. Didi Conn, who played Frenchy, recalled bonding with her costars and putting their true ages behind them to get into character.

How old was everyone when they filmed Grease?

Most of the lead stars were in their 20s and 30s while filming Grease with Travolta aged 23 and Newton-John aged 29, despite playing teenagers. However, casting director Joel Thurm has at long last explained why older actors were used, stressing that it was totally intentional.

How old was Olivia John in Grease?

Disillusioned by her Toomorrow experience and concerned that she was too old to play a high school senior (she was 28 during the filming of Grease), Newton-John insisted on a screen test with the film's co-lead, John Travolta.

How old was Michelle Pfeiffer in Grease 2?

With only a few television roles and small film appearances, Michelle Pfeiffer, then aged 23, was a relatively unknown actress when she attended the casting call audition for the role of Stephanie. Other actresses considered for the part included Lisa Hartman, Kristy McNichol, Andrea McArdle, and singer Pat Benatar.

How old were the Grease cast during filming?

Are Sandy and Frenchy cousins?

The Grease girls, who played memorable best buds and cousins Sandy and Frenchy in the 1978 classic, joined one another on stage at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino during Newton-John's show.

Why didn't John Travolta do Grease 2?

By the time Grease was a hit – and the studio realised a sequel might not be such a bad idea after all – Travolta and Newton-John had moved on to other things. Director Randal Kleiser also gave it a miss. Instead, Patricia Birch, choreographer of the original stage musical and the first film, was put at the helm.

How old was Frenchy in Grease?

Frenchy was played by Didi Conn, who was 26 while filming during the summer of 1977. Conn had appeared in multiple TV shows and movies before hitting it big with "Grease."

Did Olivia Newton-John date Andy Gibb?

"There was a lot of press speculation about whether they were romantically involved or not. But Olivia insisted, and always said, that Andy was one of her dearest friends. And even when Andy was alive, he would say the same thing about her. Some people have speculated on whether they were more than friends.

Did Olivia and John date after Grease?

They were the subject of persistent romance rumors after they steamed up screens in 1978's “Grease.” But Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta never got physical while filming the movie musical, and instead went on to share a 44-year friendship that remained strictly platonic.

Did the cast of Grease get along?

The Grease co-stars were still very close up until Olivia's death in August 2022, and even famously reunited in LA in 2002 to sing their classic hit 'You're The One That I Want'. John Travolta was a huge support to Olivia Newton-John as she underwent treatment for breast cancer.

Why did they cast Grease so old?

In a recently published oral history of Grease, Thurm, 80, has admitted the reason why a decision to cast older actors was made. “People might say the cast is too old, but Grease is not a documentary; it's a fantasy,” he told The Guardian. “It's a non-PC fairytale that is better for the cast not being teens.

Did John Travolta sing in Grease?

The film is also notable for having Danny (played by John Travolta, who had already had top-40 hits before Grease) sing lead on the song, while Kenickie (Jeff Conaway) contributed with a few call-and-response lines.

Who was the youngest cast member in Grease?

Kelly Ward (Putzie)

Kelly Ward brought the youngest member of the T-Birds, Putzie, to life in a role specifically created for the film. Grease wasn't his first time working with costar John Travolta, as the two worked together on 1976's made-for-television movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.

How old was John Travolta's character in Grease?

In fact, when the musical hit was filmed in 1977, leading man John Travolta, who was born on February 18, 1954, was just 23. His character, Danny Zuko, was supposed to be an 18-year-old senior at Rydell High School.

How old was Cha Cha when Grease was filmed?

John Travolta was 23 at the time of filming, Olivia Newton-John was 29, and Stockard Channing was 33. Annette Charles, who played bad girl Cha Cha DiGregorio, was 30.

Who was Andy Gibb married to when he died?

Andy at that time lived in Seven Hills, an outer Sydney suburb where he married his girlfriend Kim Reeder at the Wayside Chapel on July 11, 1976.

Who turned down the role of Danny in Grease?

Henry Winkler felt 'so dumb' to have turned down the part of Danny Zuko in 'Grease'

Is Jane's sister Frenchie?

In even more pleasing news, we learn that Frenchy is the little sister of Jane Facciano, the co-founder and original leader of the Pink Ladies. This means Frenchy is certified Pink Lady royalty. It's clear she idolises her older sister, so it's no surprise that she will one day pledge Pink.

Where was Grease filmed?

Grease was shot in various locations across the Los Angeles area, from the lively South Bay to the charming Silverlake neighborhood. Much of the production was filmed on-site, including exterior shots of Rydell High, taken at Venice High School, Huntington Park High School, and John Marshall High School.

Why did Grease 2 flop?

The fact that the film was released the same month as 80's classics like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn and Poltergeist definitely didn't help matters at the box office, but for many critics, it was the stale storyline that really doomed the sequel.

Who was supposed to play John Travolta in Grease?

As part of a three-picture deal with Stigwood, Travolta was given the lead role after Henry Winkler turned down the role for fear of being typecast as a greaser, having been playing the similar bad-boy greaser Arthur Fonzarelli on Happy Days since 1974. (Winkler would later regret the decision.)

Is anyone from Grease 1 in Grease 2?

Didi Conn as Frenchy

One of the few original Grease stars to join the Grease 2 cast, Edith "Didi" Conn reprised her role as Frenchy, charged with taking Michael around school. Along with her Grease costar Olivia Newton-John, the actress appeared on Grease Live! in 2016, playing Frosty Palace's head waitress Vi.