Terrible news has just come in as the iconicOlivia Newton-Johnhas passed away. The announcement comes from theGreasestar’s husband, John Easterling, who shared the news with Newton-John’s followers on her official Facebook account. According to the announcement, the four-time Grammy winner “passed away peacefully” at er South California Ranch on the morning of Aug. 8 while surrounded by loved ones. She was 73 years old.
“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer,” the statement adds. “Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund (ONJFoundationFund.org).”
Listing the late legend’s survivors, the post also notes, “Olivia is survived by her husband John Easterling; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; nieces and nephews Tottie, Fiona and Brett Goldsmith; Emerson, Charlie, Zac, Jeremy, Randall, and Pierz Newton-John; Jude Newton-Stock, Layla Lee; Kira and Tasha Edelstein; and Brin and Valerie Hall.”
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Olivia Newton-John Stars in One of the Most Popular Musicals Ever Made
A person of many talents, Olivia Newton-John has found success in both acting and music. She is a four-time Grammy Award winner with a slew of number-one hits. Outside of her work on the stage and on the screen, Newton-John is also known for her activism, always looking to change the world for the better.
Newton-John is especially known for her role as Sandy in the 1978 musicalGrease, co-starring in the beloved classic alongside John Travolta. Its soundtrack alone has also achieved tremendous success as one of the highest-selling music albums of all time. The song “You’re the One That I Want” also stands tall as one of the best-selling singles ever.
Over the years, Newton-John and Travolta would occasionally reunite to remember the 1978 film. This includes a reunion in 2019 with the two sharing images of themselves actually slipping back into costume as a way of reprising their roles for some photos. For big Grease fans, it was touching to see, and at the time, Newton-John had expressed how excited she was to see Travolta again with an Instagram post.
“First time in costume since we made the movie! So excited!!” she said.
Newton-John has also appeared in movies likeXanadu,Two of a Kind,It’s My Party,Sordid Lives,Score: A Hockey Musical,A Few Best Men, andSharknado 5: Global Swarming. She has also appeared in a variety of television shows including a recurring role inSordid Lives: The Seriesand guest appearances in shows such asMurphy Brown,Bette, andGlee.Her final performance was in the 2020 filmThe Very Excellent Mr. Dundee, playing herself.
At this time our condolences go out to Olivia Newton-John’s family and friends. May sherest in peaceas her legacy lives on forever.
