Grease star Olivia Newton-John dead at 73

(Image credit: Rachel Luna/FilmMagic)

published 8 August 2022

Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John — known for her role as Sandy Olsson in the film adaptation of Grease and hit songs like "Physical" and "I Honestly Love You" — has died, husband John Easterling confirmed Monday afternoon. She was 73.

"Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends," Easterling wrote in a post shared on Facebook. "We ask that everyone please respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time."

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The Grease actress revealed she was fighting Stage 4 breast cancer back in October 2021, per Page Six. She was initially diagnosed with the disease in 1992, then again in May 2017, after 25 years in remission. Her storied career counts her among the favorites of the late 1970s to '80s, thanks in part to chart-topping duet "You're the One That I Want," followed later by "Physical," as well as her work in musical Xanadu.

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Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.

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