We’ve lost another multi-hyphenate talent from the entertainment realm. Olivia Newton John, who was a Grammy Award-winning four-time singer, gained notoriety for her roles as Olivia Newton John in the movies. Grease XanaduAmong other TV and film projects, he is also known as. Sadly, word’s come in that Newton-John has died at the age of 73.
Olivia Newton-John’s husband, John Easterling, informed TMZHe married his wife “died peacefully at her ranch in Southern California”On Monday morning, Newton was surrounded by his family and friends. Although no cause of death was given, Newton had been battling breast cancer for over 30 years. It had been in remission for some time but returned in 2017. According to a source close to the actress,:
After a 30-year battle with cancer, she was finally cured of metastatic breast cancer.
Born on September 26, 1948, Olivia Newton-John first hit the entertainment scene as a singer, with some of her early hits including her cover of Bob Dylan’s “If Not For You,” “Let Me Be There” “Have You Ever Been Mellow.”Prior to GreaseIn the Australian-New Zealand movie, Newton-John was seen. Funny Things Happen BelowThe British sci-fi movie ToomorrowShe also appeared as herself on various TV specials, including the Eurovision Song Contest. However, it was her role as Sandy Olsson in 1978’s GreaseThat made her a popular figure.
Based on the 1971 musical, GreaseJohn Travolta played Sandy, an Australian transfer student, who fell in love with Danny Zuko, a greaser. The two cross paths again when Sandy starts attending Danny’s school, resulting in their relationship evolving into something deeper. Sandy was played by Olivia Newton-John, who received a nomination for the Golden Globe. Sandy also sings one of her songs. Grease, “Hopelessly Devoted to You,”John Farrar wrote the song, which earned him an Oscar nomination as Best Original Song. Two of Newton-John’s duets with Travolta, “You’re the One That I Want” “Summer Nights,”These singles were widely praised and are still one of the most popular.
Two years later Grease’s release, Olivia Newton-John starred in the musical Xanadu as Kira, a mysterious woman who becomes romantically involved with Michael Beck’s Sonny Malone. Xanadu wasn’t anywhere near the critical or commercial success that Grease was, but nowadays it’s considered a cult classic. The soundtrack, on the other hand, was a hit, with Newton-John’s songs “Magic”The title song “Xanadu”Particularly well received. The first time it was published in 1981. “Physical” was released, and it became Newton-John’s biggest song ever, earning accolades like spending 10 weeks at the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified Platinum by the Record Industry Association of America.
Olivia Newton-John’s other acting work included Two of a Kind, A mom for Christmas, Sordid Lives The Very Outstanding Mr. DundeeThis was her last film appearance. Also, she appeared on shows such as Glee, RuPaul’s Drag Race Dancing with the StarsAs a guest judge, she was also present on the second two. Newton-John addressed the topic of breast cancer and said that she was happy to be a guest judge on both. The GuardianShe saw the condition as her in 2020 “life’s journey,”It gave her strength and confidence. “purpose and intention and taught me a lot about compassion.”She also added:
It has been a blessing. I don’t wish it on anyone else. But for me, it’s been important in my life.
More to come…