The Real-Life Loves of the ‘Grease’ Cast—Who They Were Hopelessly Devoted to Off-Screen
From Olivia Newton-John to John Travolta, all of these cast members loved someone—at least once
Many of the 1978 Grease cast can safely say they were hopelessly devoted to at least one person throughout their lifetime. From the late Olivia Newton-John to the always-handsome John Travolta, we’ve rounded up every person the beloved musical’s stars have ever been romantically involved with over the years, and what they have to say about their respective partners. Keep scrolling for more.
Olivia Newton-John (Sandy Olsson)
Before her tragic death in 2022, the beloved Olivia Newton-John was married twice.
First to Matt Lattanzi from 1984 until 1995, the pair welcomed daughter Chloe Lattanzi in 1986. The reason for their split still remains unclear, but the two continued to successfully co-parent until the actress’ death.
“Matt and I are so overwhelmed with the love and gratitude shared with us by friends, family, and a deeply loving community of fans who will all miss Olivia’s presence in this world,” Lattanzi and his current wife, Michelle, wrote in a statement at the time of Newton-John’s death. “Nothing will replace the icon we lost, yet her legacy is alive and well in our hearts and memories, as well as her contributions to our global culture, her beloved daughter Chloe Lattanzi, and her cancer research and wellness center in Melbourne, AU.”
Then, in 2008, Newton-John married John Easterling and remained with him until her death. The pair originally met in the 1990s, but didn’t begin dating until 2007. This all came after her ex-partner Patrick McDermott went missing, which people later learned was a ploy so he could fake his own death.
“One of the hardest things is not knowing,” Newton-John said of McDermott. “I’m very lucky I have a wonderful, beautiful husband [Easterling] who is just so loving and fantastic. I always tell my friends you’re never too old to find love.”
Before her death, Newton-John was actively seen with Easterling, and since then, he has continued to talk about her and her breast cancer journey.
“She was the most courageous woman I’ve ever known. Her bandwidth for genuinely caring for people, for nature and all creatures almost eclipses what is humanly possible,” Easterling said. “It is only the grace of God that has allowed me to share the depth and passion of her being for so long. In her most difficult times, she always had the spirit, the humor and the willpower to move things into the light.”
John Travolta (Danny Zuko)
Unlike Danny Zuko, John Travolta wasn’t much of a playboy. In fact, the Oscar nominee has only been married once.
After meeting Kelly Preston on the set of The Experts (1989), they fell instantly in love. They then got married in 1991 and welcomed their first child together the following year. His name was Jett, and he tragically died in 2009 after suffering from a seizure, causing him to hit his head in a bathtub.
“[John] never dreamed of this—their relationship was so close,” the family attorney Mike Ossi said at the time. “He always said, ‘I’m happy as long as my kids are happy.’ He is heartbroken. To bury your son is the worst thing you can ever do.”
The couple went on to have two more children, a daughter named Ella Bleu, who was born in 2000, and a son named Ben, who was born in 2010 and, according to Travolta, “He’s given the house a renewed spirit and purpose.”
Sadly, Preston died from breast cancer in 2020. She and Travolta remained together up until then, and the actor still often posts about his late wife on social media and continues to wish her a Happy Mother’s Day, a Happy Birthday and a Happy Anniversary every year. He also wishes his late son a happy birthday every year as well.
Stockard Channing (Betty Rizzo)
There might be worse things that Rizzo could do than flirt with all the guys and wait around for Mr. Right, but when it comes to actress Stockard Channing, she actually prefers to do the opposite. Born in 1944, the Oscar nominee has been married four times in her life.
First to Walter Channing Jr from 1964 until 1967. The details of their relationship remain unclear, but Walker was a very well-respected winemaker and sculptor before he tragically died in 2015. Even after their divorce, though, the actress kept his last name
Then, in 1969, Channing married Paul Schmidt. They two remained together until 1976.
That same year, the actress married writer David Debin and stayed with him until 1980. The details of their relationship are still unknown, but it is believed Channing left Schmidt for Debin.
Finally, Channing married David Rawle in 1982. The pair were married for eight years before getting divorced in 1990. That was the last marriage and public relationship Channing was in.
Despite her many trips down the aisle, Channing has never had any kids.
Didi Conn (Frenchy)
Everyone’s favorite beauty school dropout has been married twice. First to Frankie Conn, from 1975 until 1978. The details about both him and their marriage are relatively unknown, but even after their divorce, the actress chose to keep her ex-husband’s last name.
Following that, Conn married David Shire in 1982 and has been with him ever since. They also welcomed their one and only child together—a son named Daniel Shire—in 1992. However, Shire does have another child with his ex-wife.
Conn and Shire regularly appear on various red carpets together, but they choose to keep their thoughts on each other a secret.
The actress does talk about their son a lot, though, and how his autism has affected her family.
‘I became the Queen of Denial. I wouldn’t believe there was something ‘wrong’ with my son. Can you imagine waking up two or three times a night, every night, with your child for 12 years?” the actress said in 2009. “’I knew I had to change myself, become somehow bigger, larger, stronger, able to envelop him, subdue him, keep him safe; but, instead, I went in the opposite direction.”
“’The shock of his diagnosis found me shrinking, hiding, disappearing, guilty and overprotective. I would not take any jobs. I would never leave him alone. What if he set the house on fire?’”
Since then, though, Didi has changed her perspective and now even serves as a celebrity spokesperson for Autism Speaks.
Jeff Conaway (Kenickie Murdoch)
A hickey from Kenickie might be a gift, but don’t take our word for it. Instead, trust the words of actor Jeff Conaway’s two ex-wives.
From 1980 until 1985, he was married to Newton-John’s sister, Rona. The two hardly commented on each other during and after their marriage, but after Conaway died in 2011, Olivia did say, “He was a big part of our family for many years, and he will be missed.”
Conway’s second and final marriage was to Keri Young. The two tied the knot in 1990 and remained together for 10 years. The couple had no children, and the reason for their split remains unknown.
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