Remembering Olivia Newton-John's impact on the theatre world

Australian actress and four-time Grammy Award-winning singer Olivia Newton-John passed away at her Southern California ranch at the age of 73 after her 30-year battle with breast cancer.

Her most notable role was playing the transfer student turned pink lady, Sandy, in the 1978 blockbuster Grease. The role has left a cultural impact 40 years later with hits like “Summer Nights” and “You’re the One That I Want,” still blasting on radio stations.

On top of her songs from the movie, her singing career had sales reaching 100 million records, including the bouncy, R-rated smash, ‘Physical.’

Kelowna Actors Studio (KAS) Artistic Director, Randy Leslie, told Kelowna10 he followed her career quite closely and was shocked to hear of her passing.

“Grease the musical was my favorite musical of all time so I followed her, even her other musicals that she did like, Xanadu, which was made into a stage play. I was a big fan and followed her music,” he said. “Being from Australia, she had some amazing hits with Top 5 songs on Billboard and she was just a pleasant soul. She was always kind and caring and she did a lot of stuff.”

Leslie added her passing has been a topic of conversation from people in his age range to those who are much younger and just knew her as Sandy.

KAS announced they will be doing a rendition of Grease next summer.

“They’re bigger shoes to fill now [for whoever plays Sandy],” he said. “I loved her music and what she stood for and [she] was a great performer.”

Many celebrities have paid tribute to her on social media, including her ‘Grease’ co-star, John Travolta, who paid tribute to her on Instagram.

“My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better,” Travolta said. “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 first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!”

She is survived by her husband; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; and several nieces and nephews.

-With files from The Canadian Press