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When Grease premiered in 1978, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The film, based on a beloved 1971 musical, far surpassed expectations. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John charmed audiences as Danny and Sandy, while the supporting cast at Rydell High provided perfect comedic and emotional balance. Iconic songs and standout costumes helped cement its success, earning praise from both critics and fans for its captivating storyline.
Shortly after its debut, Grease became the highest-grossing musical film in history. By the close of 1978, its soundtrack had become the second-best-selling album of the year. Despite the film's massive success, it only received one Oscar nomination—for the heartfelt song 'Hopelessly Devoted to You,' which was specifically composed for the movie.
Decades later, the film continues to leave a lasting impact. In 2002, the American Film Institute honored Grease as one of the 100 greatest love stories in cinematic history. In 2020, the film was inducted into the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress for preservation. However, the cast’s lives have been far from easy, marked by a series of tragic events. The number of misfortunes that befell the stars of Grease after the movie’s release makes it seem as though the film’s success was somehow accompanied by a curse. Here are ten heart-wrenching stories of what happened to the iconic cast members of Grease after their lives were forever altered by the movie’s fame.
10. John Travolta’s Heartbreaking Losses
John Travolta had an incredible rise to fame in the 1970s. Films like Saturday Night Fever and Grease catapulted him to stardom. Throughout the 1980s, his career was cemented by roles in Pulp Fiction and other hits. However, off-screen, Travolta endured two unimaginable family tragedies. In 1993, he and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, welcomed their first child, a son they named Jett, a name inspired by John’s passion for aviation. Sadly, Jett struggled with Kawasaki disease, which inflames the arteries, leaving those affected at risk for asthma and seizures. Although Jett managed the disease for years, his life was tragically cut short in 2009 when he suffered a seizure while on vacation in the Bahamas and fell, fatally hitting his head on a bathtub. He was just 16 years old.
As devastating as this loss was for Travolta, he faced another heart-wrenching tragedy a decade later. In 2018, Kelly Preston was diagnosed with breast cancer. The couple chose to keep the news private while she underwent treatment. Unfortunately, the disease claimed her life in 2020, less than two years later. Travolta shared the painful news on social media. Preston, who had long admired Travolta from afar, had told a friend years before that she knew she was going to marry him after seeing him on a movie poster for Grease.
9. Olivia Newton-John’s Brave Battle
Olivia Newton-John embraced her role as a Hollywood darling after starring in Grease. But off-screen, her life was filled with personal hardships. In 1992, her father, Brinley, passed away from cancer, and shortly after, Olivia herself was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, due to regular screenings, the disease was caught early. She underwent surgery soon after to remove the affected tissue. For years, it appeared the surgery had been successful, and Olivia was expected to live well beyond her cancer diagnosis.
However, in 2013, the cancer returned with a vengeance. By 2017, it had spread. Olivia chose to keep her ongoing battle with the disease private, undergoing both conventional treatments and using cannabis oil to manage her pain. For five years, she fought valiantly. Unfortunately, in August 2022, she lost her battle with cancer. Fans remembered her bright, optimistic personality as Sandy in Grease, and the tragedy of her passing felt even more poignant due to the lengthy, courageous fight she had endured.
8. Dinah Manoff’s Family Tragedy
Dinah Manoff became a beloved figure for her role as Marty Maraschino in Grease, and her acting career flourished with numerous television and movie roles. She also earned a Tony Award for her work on stage. However, her life took a devastating turn in 2017 when her son, Dashiell Mortell, tragically died in a car accident. Dashiell had followed in his mother’s footsteps, showing a passion for acting and performing in numerous high school productions, some of which were directed by Dinah herself. He even portrayed a greaser in a school production of The Outsiders, receiving critical acclaim for his performance.
After graduating from high school, Dashiell went on to attend Washington State University, where he continued to pursue theater. In 2017, during a holiday break, he returned home, only to face a tragic fate shortly afterward. As he and four fellow students were driving back to campus, they encountered icy roads caused by a recent snowstorm. A previous crash had blocked the highway, and when another vehicle suddenly stopped, Dashiell’s car collided with it. Moments later, a truck crashed into their car, pinning him in the wreckage. He passed away from the injuries sustained in the accident. This heart-wrenching loss shattered Dinah Manoff’s life, leaving her to grieve deeply while also offering support to others who had experienced similar tragedies. She later channeled her pain into giving back by teaching acting and improv to women in prison.
7. Jeff Conaway’s Drug Downfall
Jeff Conaway became a household name for his portrayal of Kenickie in the iconic 1978 film Grease. He also enjoyed a successful career with roles in other projects like the popular TV show Taxi. But by the 2000s, Conaway’s personal struggles began to take a toll. He battled addiction to cocaine, alcohol, and prescription pills. According to friends, the pain from a back injury sustained on the set of Grease led to his reliance on painkillers, and over the years, his addiction escalated. As his condition worsened, Conaway’s loved ones intervened, arranging for him to appear on the TV show Celebrity Rehab with addiction expert Dr. Drew. Unfortunately, despite this public effort, the addiction continued to spiral.
To Conaway’s credit, he fought against his personal demons for many years. The actor endured several stints in rehab and underwent five surgeries on his back. He worked tirelessly to get clean and sober, as his manager pointed out in 2011. Unfortunately, the severity of his back issues kept him trapped in the cycle of opiate addiction due to the pain relief he required. In May 2011, Conaway was placed in a medically induced coma due to a severe case of pneumonia. Sepsis set in, likely worsened by his long-term use of opiates. After 17 days in the ICU, his family made the heartbreaking decision to remove him from life support.
6. Didi Conn’s Parenting Challenge
Didi Conn is perhaps best known for her unforgettable supporting role as Frenchy in Grease. Her portrayal of the bubbly character became iconic, and fans continued to cherish her energetic persona long after the film's release. In the 1990s, Conn embraced motherhood by adopting a baby boy named Danny. However, her life as a new mother soon became more challenging. At just two years old, Danny began displaying extreme sensitivity to sound. Doctors initially dismissed it as part of the 'terrible twos,' but Conn instinctively knew something more serious was at play. As the years passed, Danny’s sensitivity grew more pronounced. Eventually, a specialist confirmed that Danny was on the autism spectrum.
This diagnosis came in 1994, a time when autism was not widely understood. Conn struggled to find the medical support and resources needed for her son’s condition. Both she and Danny faced numerous challenges as they navigated his sensory difficulties. Thankfully, as Danny grew older, doctors and specialists were able to find therapies that helped manage his autism. Moved by her experience, Conn created a pilot for a television series about a child with autism. Although the show was not picked up by any networks, Conn later released it as a short film.
5. Dennis Cleveland Stewart’s Sad Death
Dennis Cleveland Stewart was an openly gay actor in New York City throughout the 1970s, a period when being gay was still met with considerable stigma. Stewart led a relatively quiet life despite his growing acting career. His distinct pockmarked cheeks earned him the nickname ‘Crater Face,’ a look that ultimately contributed to his fame as a character actor. Stewart first gained attention as a featured dancer in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in early 1978. Later that same year, he garnered even more recognition when he was cast as Leo Balmudo in Grease. Four years later, he reprised the role in the film’s sequel. However, despite his rising star, Stewart's career failed to maintain the same momentum, and he ended up playing similar roles throughout his later years.
Stewart kept his relationships discreet and private, especially in light of the difficult times for the LGBTQ+ community. After spending many years in New York, he relocated to Los Angeles in 1993. Unfortunately, the move did not reignite his career, as it was already too late. Stewart, a naturally introverted person, was battling a serious illness: HIV. Though he kept his condition hidden from most people, close friends were aware of his status. Tragically, Stewart passed away from AIDS complications in early 1994, just a few months before his 47th birthday. His ashes were scattered at sea.
4. Annette Charles’s Cancer Battle
Annette Charles gained fame for her portrayal of the rebellious Cha-Cha DiGregorio in Grease. Her career extended beyond film and into the world of theater, but after Grease, movie roles became infrequent. Instead, Charles discovered a fulfilling new path as a college professor. Known as Annette Cardona, she became a respected educator at California State University, Northridge, teaching Chicano studies to students. Many of her students were unaware of her acting past, yet they admired her dedication to teaching and the transformative effect she had on their lives. As a professor, she advanced beyond undergraduate teaching and worked with numerous Ph.D. candidates.
Sadly, in early 2011, her life took a tragic turn. Charles, who had been feeling unwell, went to the hospital thinking she was dealing with a severe case of pneumonia. However, tests revealed that she had lung cancer. The disease progressed rapidly, and a month later, Annette passed away at the age of 63. The loss of the beloved professor devastated her colleagues at CSUN, with professor Renee Moreno mourning, 'I cannot imagine life without Annette. My life is forever changed in knowing her, and the world is a little less without her.'
3. Alice Ghostley’s Lonely Death
Alice Ghostley wasn't destined for stardom. Growing up in a small town, she left the University of Oklahoma at a young age, feeling that she didn’t fit the typical mold of an actress. She once shared in an interview, 'My nose was too long, I had crooked teeth, I wasn’t blond,' lamenting how her appearance held her back in the entertainment industry. Yet, she remained determined. Ghostley carved out a remarkable career as a character actress, winning a Tony Award for her work in theater and appearing in iconic television shows like Bewitched and Designing Women. Her role as Mrs. Murdock, the auto shop teacher, in Grease was a crowning achievement in her career.
For over 50 years, Alice Ghostley was married to fellow actor Felice Orlandi, and their marriage was described as a beautiful and fulfilling partnership. Sadly, their happiness came to an end when Orlandi passed away in 2003, leaving Ghostley to navigate life alone for the first time in decades. Along with the loss of her beloved husband, Ghostley faced a difficult battle with her health. She suffered a series of strokes and was also diagnosed with colon cancer. In her final years, she passed away in 2007, alone and dealing with the physical and emotional toll of her ailments.
2. Eddie Deezen’s Disturbing Decline
Although Eddie Deezen didn’t have a major role in Grease, his portrayal of the geeky Eugene Felsnic was unforgettable. Decked out in an awkward outfit complete with large glasses and a bowtie, Deezen perfectly embodied the role of the high school nerd. Off-screen, however, Deezen has faced personal struggles with mental health issues and legal problems. In 2021, his troubles escalated when he was arrested at a restaurant in Maryland. When authorities arrived to handle the disturbance, Deezen reportedly threw plates at the officers before being detained.
Sadly, Deezen's troubles continued in April 2022 when he made headlines once again. Authorities in Cumberland, Maryland, reported that Deezen forcibly entered a nursing facility and attempted to get into a resident's private room. Staff intervened, but Deezen refused to leave. When police arrived, they recognized him from previous incidents at the same facility, where he had reportedly entered multiple times in the months leading up to this event. This time, Deezen was arrested on charges of trespassing and burglary. His situation worsened in August when a judge ruled that he was mentally unfit to stand trial for these offenses.
1. Sid Caesar’s Long Period of Suffering
Sid Caesar was already a household name long before his cameo in Grease. As a legendary comic actor, he had become a fixture of television, particularly through Your Show of Shows and other major productions. However, by the time Grease premiered, his star had begun to dim, not due to a lack of opportunities, but because of personal struggles away from the limelight. In a haunting 1980 interview, Caesar admitted to feeling 'emotionally broken,' overwhelmed by an entourage of hangers-on and plagued by depression and health issues. The same year Grease graced the big screen, Caesar collapsed mid-performance during a stand-up show, marking one of the lowest points in his tumultuous career.
After his on-stage collapse, Caesar made a firm commitment to overcome his battles with alcohol and prescription drugs. He cut ties with harmful influences, leaving behind the bad doctors and toxic people who had plagued his life. By 1982, he had freed himself from his addictions and published his autobiography, Where Have I Been. From there, he went on to enjoy a productive and happy three decades, and when he passed away in 2014 after a brief illness, he was celebrated as a comedic icon who had triumphed over personal adversity.
