Olivia Newton-John death: Daughter posts moving tribute to Grease star, who has died aged 73

Although it’s nearly impossible to picture anyone else other than Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsson in Grease, the late Australian entertainer almost lost the role to another Seventies star.

Newton-John, who passed away today, was well-known for her starring lead as Sandy, opposite John Travolta’s Danny Zuko, in the 1978 musical classic.

Inga Parkel has the details.

Singer and actor Olivia Newton-John has died following a long battle with breast cancer, her husband announced on Monday. The Grease star was 73 years old.

The Australian actor’s husband, John Easterling, announced Newton-John’s to social media on Monday afternoon. “Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” the post read. “We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

Meredith Clark has the story.

Dionne Warwick has paid tribute to her friend Olivia Newton-John in an emotional tweet, in which the legendary vocalist calls the late entertainer “one of the nicest people I had the pleasure of recording and performing with”.

Olivia Newton-John’s only child, Chloe Lattanzi, has posted a moving tribute to her mother, who has died at the age of 73. The 36-year-old – whose father is Matt Lattanzi – shared a host of photos of the pair on Instagram, including shots of when she was a baby and more recent snaps of the duo filming together.

Three days ago Lattanzi shared another picture of the two together, captioning it, “I worship this woman. My mother. My best friend.”

There was more to Olivia Newton-John than just Grease

Olivia Newton-John might be best known for her role as Sandy in the hit 1978 musical, but her lengthy career saw her involved in everything from folk music to medical marijuana advocacy.

Kevin EG Perry has the full story.

Actor Mia Farrow has honoured the late Olivia Newton-John, calling her “lovely, talented” and “brave”.

Piers Morgan has joined the ranks of well-known names to express their sympathy at the passing of Olivia Newton-John, who has died at the age of 73. The broadcaster posted a photo of the pair together, taken at an auction of her Grease memorabilia in Los Angeles. “She told me her favourite song from the movie was ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’,” wrote Morgan.

Viola Davis has called Olivia Newton-John “my childhood” in an emotional social media post celebrating the “talent, poise and beauty” of the late entertainer.

Kylie Minogue has said she has “loved and looked up to Olivia Newton-John” since she was 10 years old in a heartfelt Twitter tribute to the late Grease star.

Minogue’s post is accompanied by a black-and-white photograph of herself with Newton-John, taken when they performed at the New South Wales Royal Bicentennial Concert in 1988.

Nancy Sinatra, Sir Rod Stewart and The Monkees’ star Micky Dolenz have honoured Olivia Newton-John in social media tributes to the Australian actor.

“I didn’t know Olivia Newton-John personally but I admired her for the way she faced her health battles,” Sinatra wrote on Twitter, adding, “Beautiful & strong, she fought to the end.”

Newton-John died from following a prolonged battle with breast cancer, surrounded by friends and family at her ranch in southern California on Monday (8 August).

Stewart, meanwhile, remembered Newton-John as “the perfect Lady”, adding she was “gorgeous, with great poise and with a certain Aussie sophistication”.

“Her spandex trousers in Grease were my inspiration for my ‘Da ya think I’m Sexy‘ era,” he continued, paying tribute to “my great friend Olivia” on Twitter.

Finally, Dolenz posted a picture of himself with Newton-John from the time when “I played celebrity tennis” with her, adding he was “saddened to hear about this lovely lady”.