Catchy songs, amazing actors, and dance moves we'd never seen before. Grease came out in 1978 and became an instant pop symbol, especially amongst teenagers. Still considered to be one of the most influential musicals ever filmed, Grease was made possible thanks to the hard work of director Randal Kleiser, writers Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey, and Bronté Woodward, and a cast filled with talented people.

Still watched today, over 40 years after its initial release, Grease changed the lives of those involved. Leading the cast is the charismatic duo of Danny (John Travolta) and Sandy (Olivia Newton-John), but the musical proved influential to the career of all involved. Today, let's take a look at what changed in the lives of the cast of Grease between then and now.

Then - John Travolta As Danny Zuko

With or without Grease, John Travolta was cut out to become a star. But playing the unforgettable Danny Zuko contributed significantly to the actor's career. One year before Grease came out, Travolta starred in Saturday Night Fever, arguably one of the most popular movies of the '70s.

But if Tony Manero (from Saturday Night Fever) was Travolta's breakthrough role, Danny Zuko was the part that consolidated him as one of the most famous, admired, and hunky actors of the decade. To this day, Grease is still one of the most influential movies of Travolta's career and one of the main reasons why he is still considered a top Hollywood actor today.

Now - John Travolta - Still One of the World's Greatest Actors

There was a brief moment in time when it seemed like John Travolta was going to "disappear." But then, he found a whole new place in the movie industry with the highly-acclaimed Quentin Tarantino masterpiece Pulp Fiction. It was the start of a new life for John Travolta, who went from playing the prom king teen dancer to playing the villain, the criminal, and the action hero.

Proving that he can deliver in any role, Travolta has managed to stay on the top of the industry. Having a lot of money has certainly helped, not forgetting some high-profile controversies in the media, which are often related to his close connection with the Church of Scientology.

Then - Olivia Newton-John As Sandy

Deemed by Rizzo as "too pure to be pink," Sandy had some issues with fitting in at Rydell High School. But eventually, she managed to become the hip teenager everyone wanted her to be. In the movie, she is played by the multi-talented Olivia Newton-John. The Danny-Sandy love story remains one of the most popular and iconic in the history of cinema.

Before appearing in Grease, Newton-John was mainly known for her singing abilities. She released ten number-one singles before 1977 and represented the United Kingdom in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest.

Now - Olivia Newton-John - Fighting Breast Cancer Without Giving Up Her Career

Olivia Newton-John is an example of longevity, both in talent and in beauty. But since 2017, she is facing the biggest challenge of her life, following a breast cancer diagnosis. The disease has not kept her from working, though. Newton-John continues to be pretty much as popular as she was back when Grease was released.

She has continued to sing, release records, and act. Over the years, she's appeared in multiple musical and non-musical films, with the latest being 2020's The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee. In 2015, she was a guest-judge in Dancing with the Stars and RuPaul's Drag Race.

Then - Stockard Channing As Betty Rizzo

Her friends called her Rizzo, and she was the fearsome leader of the Pink Ladies. The embodiment of the rebel teenager, Betty Rizzo, didn't listen to anybody. She was her own boss. She liked to smoke and drink, and she didn't care about having a "reputation."

To play such a charismatic woman, Grease needed a talented and tough-looking actress. Stockard Channing answered the call and proved to be the right woman for the job. Before becoming internationally famous for playing Rizzo, Channing appeared in a handful of lesser-known comedy flicks, such as The Fortune, Sweet Revenge, and The Big Bus.

Now - Stockard Channing - Still Acting in Major Movies and TV Series

The popularity of Grease allowed Stockard Channing to pursue some high-profile parts in both theater and cinema. In the early '90s, she appeared in the stage and film versions of Six Degrees of Separation and was nominated for both a Tony and an Academy Award for Best Actress.

From then on, she continued to work extensively, appearing in movies such as Practical Magic and Where the Heart Is. In one of her latest acting jobs, she played Veronica Loy in the TV series The Good Wife, which ran for seven seasons between 2009 and 2016. She will appear in the upcoming comedy film Lapham Rising, which is currently in post-production.

Then - Jeff Conaway As Kenickie Murdoch

In case you haven't noticed by the hairstyle and leather jacket, Kenickie Murdoch likes to play tough. But even though he hides his true feelings from his T-Birds friends, Kenickie is a kind and nurturing fellow who cares deeply about his buddies and his girlfriend, Rizzo.

Playing Danny's second-in-command is the actor Jeff Conaway, a young man who had a humble career in movies and TV before finding a place in Grease's cast. His spot-on looks and convincing performance were crucial for turning the vulgar bully, Kenickie, into a compelling and relatable character.

Now - Jeff Conaway - Continued Working as an Actor Until Passing Away in 2011

The man behind Kenickie didn't have to wait long to get a significant acting job after Grease was released. He starred in the popular TV series Taxi, playing the hip Bobby Wheeler alongside actors such as Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, and Andy Kaufmann. Later on, he appeared in the TV series Babylon 5 and numerous movies, including L.A. Goddess and Sunset Strip.

In 2003, he even had the chance to play himself, appearing for a cameo in the movie Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. But despite his highly successful acting career, Conaway was a man troubled by substance abuse. In 2011, by the time he was 60, he passed away after failing to recognize he needed treatment for severe pneumonia.

Then - Michael Tucci As Sonny

His name was Michael LaTierri, but everybody called him Sonny. He was arguably the rudest of the T-Birds boys, and he paid respect to nobody except for the authoritative Principal McGee. Portraying the 18-year-old Sonny was Michael Tucci, a 32-year-old American actor/singer.

Even though Tucci looked older than he should have, he was a relatively inexperienced actor by the time he landed a place in Grease. Previously, he had appeared in a couple of TV series and in the movies The Night They Robbed Big Bertha's and Forced Entry.

Now - Michael Tucci - Retired High-School Teacher

Following the release of Grease, Michael Tucci continued to work as an actor. He appeared in movies such as Groucho, Evasive Action, and Blow, and worked in TV series such as The Paper Chase, MacGyver, and JAG. His last acting role happened in 2015, with the FX series The Comedians.

In 2014, he decided to get back to high-school, but this time to become a real-life teacher. He taught theater at St. Francis High-School in California and has since then retired from teaching. He is currently married to Kathleen Tucci, a retired network executive with whom he shares two daughters.

Then - Didi Conn As Frenchy

Dropping out of high school to go to beauty school seemed like a good idea at first. But eventually, Frenchy realized that she made a mistake. Disappointed with life after school, she likes to spend the day hanging out with her Pink Ladies friends, and she's considered to be a sweet, bubbly, and airheaded girl.

Frenchy is played to perfection by Didi Conn, an American actress who is still best known for her work in Grease. Before participating in the movie, she also played a Grease character in the original 1972 Broadway musical.

Now - Didi Conn - Has Recently Appeared on Dancing on Ice

Still working as an actress, Didi Conn has enjoyed a long and successful career ever since Grease came out. She returned as Frenchy for Grease 2, appeared in movies like Frida and Most Likely To Murder, and worked extensively in television, starring in multiple TV specials and appearing briefly in series such as L.A. Law and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

In 2019, she made a big TV comeback as a Dancing on Ice contestant. One of the 12 celebrities picked for the 11th season of the popular TV show; she was eliminated after only three episodes, finishing in 10th place.

Then - Eve Arden As Principal McGee

Every teen movie needs a quirky and authoritarian grown-up telling the boys and girls what they can and cannot do. Even though Principal McGee often failed to contain her students, she was the adult in charge of Grease's Rydell High School.

Played by the glamorous Eve Arden, Principal McGee is one of the most comical characters in Grease, and one of the few who made a comeback for the movie's sequel. Strict and stern, she is nonetheless a lovable woman.

Now - Eve Arden - Passed Away in 1990 At the Age of 82

Unlike our young 20-something actors playing teenage boys and girls in Grease, Eve Arden was a mature and experienced professional by the time she was cast for the movie. She debuted in the musical film Song of Love, released in 1929, and retired almost 60 years later, in 1987. Her final movie appearance? Grease 2, released in 1982.

On November 12, 1990, Arden passed away from cardiac arrest at her house in Los Angeles, California. She was 82 years old and a mother of four.

Then - Barry Pearl As Doody

"One of the boys" would be an accurate description of Barry Pearl's character in Grease. Doody is loyal to his T-Birds friends, loves to chase after the ladies, and is very brave when it comes to putting up a good fight. He is a young man clearly suited to the life of a teenager in Grease's California setting.

Doody is a memorable character, but he wouldn't be possible without the talent and hard work of Barry Pearl. Before making his way into the cast of Grease, Pearl was best known for his role as Recruit Mignone in the 1977 sitcom series C.P.O. Sharkey.

Now - Barry Pearl - Made a Grease Comeback in Grease: Live

Now 70-years-old, Barry Pearl continues to be the lively and lovable actor he always was. One of his latest roles? Playing Mr. Stan Weaver in the TV special Grease: Live, which premiered in 2016 and featured Julianne Hough as Sandy, Aaron Tveit as Danny, and Vanessa Hudgens as Rizzo.

Besides acting, Pearl also collaborates with Joey Travolta's Inclusion Film Company. With the help of John Travolta's brother, Pearl has shown his humanitarian side by teaching film arts to men and women with special needs across the U.S.

Then - Dinah Manoff As Marty Maraschino

In Grease, Marty Maraschino is depicted as a 17-year-old girl who desperately wants to behave maturely. She tries to act in a sophisticated way, but she's somewhat childish and prone to gossip, just like any other of her Pink Ladies friends. She also has a peculiar liking for older men and a collection of platonic pen-pal lovers, which includes a marine stationed in Korea.

Before portraying Marty on the big screen, American actress Dinah Manoff was mainly known for her role in the ABC sitcom Soap, in which she played Elaine Dallas.

Now - Dinah Manoff - Retired Actress Living in Washington

An actress by vocation, Dinah Manoff continued doing what she does best after the release of Grease. She was featured in numerous Broadway musicals and movies, including the acclaimed 1980 drama Ordinary People. Between 1988 and 1995, she played Carol Weston in the NBC sitcom Empty Nest, for a total of 170 episodes!

Retired from acting since 2009, Manoff currently resides in Bainbridge Island, Washington, with the motivational speaker Arthur Mortell, her husband since 1997. In 2010, Manoff promoted the release of a sing-along version of Grease in the Seattle International Film Festival.

Then - Jamie Donnelly As Jan

Jan is the oddball of the Pink Ladies, an eccentric and wild character who loves to have fun and get into all kinds of crazy situations. Her love interest is Putzie, the youngest and most gullible member of the T-Birds.

Playing this memorable '70s role is the actress Jamie Donnelly, the only member of Grease's cast who had the chance to play the same character in both the play and the movie. A clear sign that she was destined to be Jan. Before appearing in Grease, Donnelly worked in the TV movie The Dream Makers.

Now - Jamie Donnelly - Working as an Acting Coach

In 2017, Jamie Donnelly decided to step away from acting and retired after a long and relatively prosperous career. She appeared in movies such as Cyrus, Can't Hardly Wait, and Black Mass. Nowadays, she lives in California with her husband, the novelist Stephen Foreman.

Donnelly may be away from the set, but she still has the heart of an actress. After stepping aside from TV and movies, she decided to become an acting coach. Now 73-years-old, she probably has a lot of valuable lessons to teach to any upcoming actor.

Then - Kelly Ward As Putzie

Played by a hunky 21-year-old Kelly Ward, Putzie was the youngest of the T-Birds lads, and he was often protected by Danny and Kenickie, who acted as his big brothers. The most innocent of the bunch, he still had a lot to learn about life, and women in particular.

Eventually, the gullible Putzie finds a way to Jan's heart, and the two make one of the most charming couples in the movie. Before appearing in Grease, Ward had already worked with John Travolta. They shared the movie set of The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, which was released on TV in 1976.

Now - Kelly Ward - Working as a Voice Director & Musical Theatre Teacher

Kelly Ward's acting career showed a lot of promise. Yet, it was cut short after only ten years of working in the industry. In his last acting gig, the 1986 animation flick GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords, Ward found a new vocation: working as a voice director for animation movies.

Ward was eventually signed by Disney Television Animation to work as a voice director and has found plenty of success in his new professional role. Meanwhile, he also started teaching musical theatre at the University of Southern California. He married Annette Foster in 1977, with whom he has three children.

Then - Dennis Cleveland Stewart As Leo Balmudo

Every great movie needs a great villain, and not even the Rydell High School students could have made it without a common enemy. Leading The Scorpions, Leo Balmudo was the cruel leather jacket-wearing rebel who loved to make the life of the T-Birds guys a whole lot harder.

Portrayed by the late Dennis Cleveland Stewart, Balmudo was the embodiment of the highschool-dropout who doesn't like to play by society's rules and whose efforts are often selfish and malevolent. Even though he has an important role in Grease, Balmudo doesn't have as many lines as you would expect from the main antagonist.

Now - Dennis Cleveland Stewart - Died From AIDS in 1994

Sadly, the life of Dennis Cleveland Stewart was cut short by the time he was only 46 years old. After contracting HIV, he died from AIDS-related health complications in 1994. His legacy is one of a talented actor/dancer who appeared in over 20 movies and TV series.

After the success of Grease, Stewart went on to appear in movies such as Zoot Suit and series such as The Greatest American Hero and The A-Team. Most notably, he reprised his Leo Balmudo role in Grease 2, released in 1982.

Then - Annette Charles As Charlene DiGregorio

Charlene "Cha-Cha" DiGregorio was Leo Balmudo's girlfriend and the second main antagonist in Grease. A confident and talented young woman with a seductive manner, Charlene ends up making the most out of a dancefloor mishap to dance with Danny and win the Rydell dance-off competition.

Making her film debut as Cha-Cha DiGregorio was Annette Charles, a then-young actress best known for a couple of small roles in TV shows such as The Flying Nun, Emergency! and Barnaby Jones.

Now - Annette Charles - Passed Away in 2011 at The Age of 63

In 2011, only three months after her former colleague Jeff Conaway passed away, Annette Charles died from health complications associated with cancer. She was 63 years old. Active as an actress between 1968 and 1987, Charles made a brief comeback in 2009 to appear in the comedy-horror flick Transylmania.

Before her retirement, she kept busy by appearing in numerous TV series, including the hit-show Magnum P.I., The Incredible Hulk, and Centennial. To this day, she is still best-known for her iconic role as Cha-Cha DiGregorio in Grease.

Then - Susan Buckner As Patty Simcox

Teenagers can be cruel, and Patty Simcox knows all about it. She was a top student at Rydell High School, she loved cheerleading, and she was all about playing by the rules. Needless to say, she was disliked by some of the Pink Ladies and occasionally bullied by Kenickie.

Playing the cheesy and well-behaved Patty Simcox was Susan Buckner, a woman who probably had no personal issues with bullying while growing up. After all, she was a Miss America pageant finalist before making her acting film debut in Grease.

Now - Susan Buckner - Retired From Show Business Since 1981

Now 67-years-old, Susan Buckner decided to retire from the show business a long time ago. But she hasn't quit taking care of herself. She looks incredibly beautiful, especially considering her age. Between the late '70s and early '80s, she worked extensively as a supporting actress, appearing in productions such as Deadly Blessing and Starsky & Hutch.

She was also a dancer before debuting in Grease, and she appeared as a dancer in The First Nudie Musical and The Brady Bunch Hour. In 1971, she was crowned Miss Washington.

Then - Edd Byrnes As Vince Fontaine

In Grease, Edd Byrnes serves as Vince Fontaine, the fictional radio/TV host in charge of presenting the Rydell National Dance-Off. Appearing for the movie's final act, Vince is portrayed as a shifty character, especially considering he is seen trying to dope the drink of Marty.

Before appearing in Grease, Edd Byrnes was widely known for portraying Kookie in the action-crime series 77 Sunset Strip. The show ran successfully for six seasons between 1958 and 1964.

Now - Edd Byrnes - Passed Away in 2020 at The Age of 87

With over 80 credits as an actor, Edd Byrnes was an accomplished show-biz man with a career spanning five decades. After appearing in Grease, he landed parts in movies such as Mankillers, Party Line, and Troop Beverly Hills. He collected numerous TV roles, and he even hosted the pilot episode of The Wheel of Fortune.

On January 8th, 2020, Byrnes died of natural causes at his Santa Monica home. His last acting job happened in 1999, with the release of the TV movie Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story.

Then - Dody Goodman As Blanche Hodel

The secretary of Rydel High School, Blanche Hodel, has to be one of the funniest characters in the movie. Like her trusted friend Principal McGee, Blanche has also appeared in both Grease and Grease 2. She was played by the American character actress Dody Goodman.

Before becoming internationally known for her role in Grease, Goodman appeared multiple Broadway productions, acted in the movies Bedtime Story and Silent Movie and modeled for a mock-biography book by Cris Alexander and Patrick Dennis.

Now - Dody Goodman - Passed Away in 2008 at The Age of 93

After appearing in Grease, Dody Goodman continued to do what she did best: make people laugh. She became a popular comedy actress during the '80s and appeared in films such as Max Dugan Returns, Private Resort, and The Chipmunk Adventure.

In 2007, she retired officially from acting and went to live at the Lillian Booth Actors Home, an assisted-living facility in New Jersey. She passed away approximately one year later, at the age of 93.

Then - Frankie Avalon As Teen Angel

By the time Frankie Avalon appeared in Grease, he was already a show-biz legend. He played Teen Angel, a minor character who makes a cameo role to sing the song "Beauty School Dropout." In real life, Avalon was a teen idol himself, with a solid acting and singing career.

Avalon started in the '50s as a singer and had collected two number one hits before the decade's end. In the '60s, he appeared with great success in movies such as Panic in Year Zero!, Operation Bikini, and Fireball 500.

Now - Frankie Avalon - Still Acting

Shortly after Grease came out, United Artists distributed a movie called The Idolmaker, which was lightly based on Frankie Avalon's life. But Avalon was far from done. He continued acting and singing through the next four decades, appearing in shows such as American Idol and rendering himself in movies like Casino.

Now 79 years-old, Avalon is awaiting his next project, following the 2018 movie Papa. Married to the same woman since 1963, he is a proud father of eight. Two of his sons play in his touring band, with Frankie Avalon Jr., the eldest, being a former The Karate Kid actor.

Then - Ellen Travolta As Waitress

Actress Ellen Travolta has the gift of being discreet. She went from occasionally acting in TV shows such as General Hospital and All in the Family to playing a waitress in Grease, a movie in which the leading role belonged to her brother John.

Even though John is by far the most famous Travolta, Ellen is not the only sibling of the actor who's had a spell in show biz. Margaret Travolta and Joey Travolta also act and work in the movie industry.

Now - Ellen Travolta - Still Acting

At the age of 80, Ellen continues to be a talented and lively woman. She has just appeared in the 2019 movie The Untold Story, the latest of the over 40 productions she has collaborated with throughout her career.

In the early '80s, Ellen married the American actor Jack Bannon, best known for portraying Art Donovan in the drama series Lou Grant. In 2017, Bannon passed away at the age of 77 after being diagnosed with cancer.