Grease star Susan Buckner 'dies peacefully' aged 72
Grease star Susan Buckner, who played Sandy's best friend Patty Simcox in the hit film, has died at age 72. Her family revealed Susan died peacefully surrounded by loved ones in Miami on Thursday 2 May according to Deadline.
Susan is survived by her son Adam Josephs, daughter Samantha Mansfield, grandchildren Oliver, Riley, Abigail and Ruby as well as her sister Linda. Susan's daughter, Samantha, spoke to People magazine about her mother's passing and said: "The light she brought into every room will be missed forever. She was magic, and I was very lucky to call her my best friend."
The actress played cheeky Rydell High cheerleader Patty alongside Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta and Stockard Channing.
Patty was often the butt of the joke amongst the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds but managed to convince Sandy to join the cheerleading squad. One of her most famous phrases in the film was: "Do the splits, give a yell! Show a little spirit for old Rydell!" she chanted in the film, "Way to go, red and white! Go Rydell, fight, fight, fight!"
Susan first made a name for herself in 1971 when she won Miss Washington - and went onto represent the state at the Miss America competition in 1972. Soon after, Susan became one of the Golddigger dancers in The Dean Martin Show, and that led her to become part of the all-girl group Fantasy and the musical duo Buckner and Pratt.
Prior to her appearance in Grease, Susan starred in 9 episodes of The Brady Bunch Hour as Krofftette. She also played George Fayne in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. One of Susan's last acting jobs was in 1980 when she played Lucy Davis in When the Whistle Blows.
Sadly in August 2022, star of Grease, Olivia Newon-John passed away at the age of 73. Her husband, John Easterling, announced via her official Facebook page that Olivia had passed away peacefully at her Southern California ranch in the early hours of Monday 8 Aug, after battling cancer on and off for 30 years.
The statement read: "Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.
"Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer."
Olivia's co-star John Travolta led the tributes and wrote at the time:"My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better," he wrote.
"Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!"
