The Dark Side of Grease: Shocking Fates of Cast Members – Deaths, Scandals, and Jail Time

“Grease” defined an entire generation with its fame, music, and teenage dreams.

But for many iconic cast members, life after Rydell High was far from the fantasy we remember. Some stars were taken by tragic diseases, while others fell into the grip of addiction. A few even faced prison walls instead of sold-out crowds. Rumors swirl about secret affairs and shady deals that never made the tabloids.

So, who’s dead? Who’s behind bars? Here are some “Grease” cast members who are dead or in jail.

Let’s start with Olivia Newton-John, widely known as Sandy Olsen, the lovable heroine in “Grease.” She transitioned from a sweet small-town girl to a sultry songstress, solidifying her status as a pop culture star alongside John Travolta.

Olivia performed legendary songs like “You’re the One That I Want,” “Summer Nights,” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” She took on the role at age 28, negotiating the character’s nationality to avoid an American accent and secure top billing in the film.

After “Grease,” she faced scandals and emotional turmoil, especially in 1979 when she sued MCA Records for breach of contract over royalties. This led to a massive settlement that influenced artist agreements in the industry. She also had a long-term relationship with cameraman Patrick McDermott, which ended in mystery when he vanished during a 2005 fishing trip. Rumors circulated that he faked his death and was living in Mexico, a painful ordeal for Olivia.

Despite her fame, everything took a downturn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, which required surgery and chemotherapy. The disease recurred in 2013 and again in 2017, eventually reaching her spine. To inspire others, she co-founded the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center in Melbourne, donating a significant portion of her fortune to cancer research.

By 2022, she passed away at age 73 after a three-decade-long battle with breast cancer. Her legacy lives on through her timeless music and film roles. But she’s not the only “Grease” cast member who passed away from cancer.

Annette Charles played Charlene “Cha-Cha” DeGregorio, the self-declared best dancer at St. Bernadette’s. She became known for dancing the hand jive with Danny, played by John Travolta, during the televised Rydell High dance competition.

Before “Grease,” Annette had a robust career, appearing in numerous TV shows like “The Bionic Woman,” “Magnum P.I.,” “Bonanza,” and “The Incredible Hulk.” After “Grease,” she pursued academics, earning a master’s in social work from New York University and becoming a professor.

However, during the thunder road sequence in “Grease,” she was experiencing terrible pain due to a tubal pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg begins growing in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. That’s why she was often seen leaning against the cars. After finishing the scene, she was rushed to the hospital for surgery.

By mid-2011, she was hospitalized with pneumonia, and her mother later revealed that doctors had discovered a cancerous tumor in her lung, despite her being a non-smoker. She passed away in August 2011 at her home in Los Angeles due to complications related to lung cancer.

Now let’s take a look at one of the “Grease” cast members who is currently in jail. Eddie Deezen played Eugene Felnik, the bespectacled geek at Rydell High in both “Grease” and “Grease 2.” He was well-known for always playing the nerd role in different films, including “Midnight Madness,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “1941,” “Million-Dollar Mystery,” and “War Games.”

However, after a few years, he began to face various legal issues that buried his career. In November 2021, he was arrested for refusing to leave a restaurant, allegedly assaulting police officers by throwing items at them. He was charged with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, and trespassing.

By April 2022, he was arrested in Maryland for fourth-degree burglary, two counts of trespassing, and disturbing the peace after entering a private nursing facility uninvited. Even before these cases, he had been repeatedly accused of breaking into neighbors’ vehicles, leading to additional trespassing allegations.

A few months after the 2022 case, a Maryland court ruled that he was incompetent to stand trial due to an unnamed mental health disorder. He was ordered to receive psychiatric treatment at a state facility until it was deemed that he was no longer a danger. Apparently, he had struggled with mental illness for many years.

Despite his fame as a comedic actor and voiceover talent in “Dexter’s Laboratory” and “Kim Possible,” his arrests marked a sad turn in his life.

Next up is Eve Arden, widely known for her role as Principal McGee in “Grease” and “Grease 2.” She was a talented actress who could easily improvise during performances. Known for her sardonic wit and quick one-liners, she brought a touch of old-school sophistication to the role.

Eve’s career spanned about six decades across radio, stage, film, and television. She earned an Academy Award nomination in 1945 and appeared in “Anatomy of a Murder.” Unfortunately, fans were devastated when her health declined.

She succumbed to heart failure and atherosclerotic heart disease, along with complications from cancer. Interestingly, she always hid her age, so it wasn’t until the public saw the dates on her tombstone that they realized she passed away at 82.

Dennis Stewart played Leo “Craterface” Balmudo, the tough leader of the Scorpions gang and Danny’s rival in “Grease” and “Grease 2.” Originally a dancer, he also appeared in “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Moonlighting,” “MacGyver,” “The A-Team,” and “Wonder Woman.”

Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with HIV in 1993, which led to a rapid decline in health. He died of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1994 at just 46 years old. Some say he was cremated and scattered at sea, while others believe he was buried alongside his mother. His portrayal of Craterface remains one of the most memorable villainous characters in musical film history.

John Travolta, known as one of the most successful cast members from “Grease,” played Danny Zuko, the charismatic leader of the T-Birds. This role solidified his status as a leading man of the era, following his success in “Welcome Back, Kotter,” “Saturday Night Fever,” and “Carrie.”

Despite all his fame, he has found himself at the center of various scandals and legal issues. Although none of these cases led to convictions, they cast a shadow on his career. In 2012, two anonymous masseurs filed lawsuits accusing him of sexual harassment and assault, each seeking $2 million. Both cases were dropped or dismissed when evidence showed that John was not present at the incident locations.

He also faced defamation lawsuits filed by Robert Randolph, which were thrown out by a judge. During this time, there were tabloid reports of old cross-dressing photos of John, which upset his late wife, Kelly Preston, but he rejected any form of marital scandal.

While John Travolta’s main problems were legal issues, Jeff Conaway faced different kinds of addictions that drove him to death. Jeff played Kenickie, the rebellious leather-jacketed best friend of Danny Zuko. Despite his success, he struggled with cocaine, alcohol, and prescription painkiller addiction after sustaining a severe back injury during the filming of the “Grease Lightning” scene.

In 2008, he appeared on “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” publicly recording his ongoing struggle with substance abuse and physical pain. While on “Taxi,” he was removed from the show due to frequent absences and erratic behavior stemming from addiction.

By May 2011, Jeff was found unconscious at home and hospitalized, later passing away two weeks after his family requested that life support be removed. The autopsy revealed multiple medical causes, including aspiration pneumonia, sepsis, endocarditis, coronary artery disease, and encephalopathy linked to chronic drug overdoses.

Lenny Baker appeared in “Grease” as part of Johnny Casino and the Gamblers, performing at the Rydell High dance. He was an accomplished actor, winning a Tony Award in 1977 for “I Love My Wife” and earning a Golden Globe nomination for his lead in “Next Stop, Greenwich Village.”

Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer that required surgery, damaging his vocal cords and ending his acting career. He died in April 1982 at age 37 after battling cancer, with rumors speculating that he died due to HIV, though this was never confirmed.

Ed Burns portrayed Vince Fontaine, the slick host of the televised dance contest in “Grease.” He battled alcohol and drug addiction in the 1970s and 1980s but entered a 12-step recovery program and became sober in 1982. He lived a full life and died of natural causes in January 2000 at the age of 87.

Dennis Green was a founding vocalist of Sha Na Na and appeared in “Grease” as part of Johnny Casino’s band. After leaving Sha Na Na to pursue education, he earned a master’s degree from Harvard and a law degree from Yale. He passed away at age 66 on September 5, 2015, after a brief illness, though the specific cause of his death was never announced.

Susan Buckner played Patty Simcox, the peppy cheerleader in “Grease.” Initially considered for the role of Sandy, she eventually focused on her children and teaching children’s theater after leaving Hollywood. She died peacefully at age 72 in May 2024, with the cause of her death not publicly disclosed.

Daryl Zwerling portrayed Mr. Lynch, a memorable teacher at Rydell High. He passed away in April 2014 for reasons that were not shared with the public, but the news of his death was not revealed until months later.

Dodie Goodman brought life to the character of Blanche, the quirky administrative assistant to Principal McGee. She passed away peacefully of natural causes in June 2008 at the age of 93, making her the oldest “Grease” cast member to pass away.

Joan Blondell played Vi, the veteran waitress at the Frosty Palace in “Grease.” Despite her career highs, she dealt with financial hardship and passed away due to leukemia on December 25, 1979, at age 73.

Alice Ghostly appeared briefly in “Grease” as Mrs. Murdoch, the unfazed shop teacher. She passed away in September 2007 at age 84 after a long battle with colon cancer and complications from multiple strokes.

Sid Caesar played Coach Calhoun, the basketball coach at Rydell High. He battled major alcohol and barbiturate addiction in the 1960s and 1970s but achieved sobriety by 1977. He died of natural causes at age 91 on February 12, 2014.

The “Grease” cast members remain some of the most famous actors and singers, despite the decades that have passed since the movie’s release.

Who is your favorite “Grease” actor? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Remember to like, share, and subscribe for more. Also, click the next video showing on your screen; you will enjoy it.