Olivia Newton-John, the beloved Australian singer and actress whose angelic voice graced chart-topping hits like “Physical,” “Have You Never Been Mellow,” and the unforgettable “You’re the One That I Want” with John Travolta in Grease, has passed away at the age of 73. Her death marks the end of an era for fans worldwide who adored her girl-next-door charm and resilient spirit.
Newton-John’s husband, John Easterling, announced her peaceful passing on Monday morning at her ranch in Southern California via a heartfelt Facebook post. He highlighted her three-decade journey as a “symbol of triumphs and hope” in her battle with breast cancer. Easterling further noted her pioneering work with plant medicine and its continuation through the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to cancer research.
Born in Cambridge, England, and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Olivia Newton-John’s life was a testament to her enduring talent and unwavering optimism, even in the face of adversity. Her initial breast cancer diagnosis in 1992 was just the beginning of a long and public fight. Despite periods of remission, the cancer returned, spreading to her lower back in 2017. In August 2018, she had to cancel a planned tour, intended to be a nostalgic reflection on her illustrious career.
Throughout her remarkable five-decade career, Newton-John became a global sensation, selling over 100 million albums. Nearly 40 of her singles soared onto the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying her status as a dominant force in country-pop and soft-rock music of the 1970s and 80s.
However, it was her role as Sandy Olsson in the 1978 film adaptation of Grease that catapulted her fame to stratospheric levels. Starring opposite John Travolta as Danny Zuko, Newton-John embodied the sweet and innocent Sandy, captivating audiences worldwide. The film, based on the 1972 Broadway musical, became a cultural phenomenon.
The casting of Sandy was almost as iconic as the film itself. Producer Allan Carr considered actresses like Carrie Fisher, Deborah Raffin, Susan Dey, and Marie Osmond before landing on Newton-John. Despite being 29 at the time and hesitant after a less successful movie venture with Toomorrow (1970), Newton-John was eventually convinced to take the role. She recounted to Vanity Fair in 2016 her initial apprehension, stating, “I was very anxious about making another film, because my music career was going well, and I did not want to mess it up by doing another movie that wasn’t good.”
Alt text: Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in a publicity shot for Grease, highlighting Newton-John’s role as Sandy.
Carr’s persistence and Travolta’s enthusiastic endorsement were pivotal in securing Newton-John for Grease. Carr famously promised to make Sandy an Australian character to accommodate Newton-John’s accent. Travolta recognized her exceptional talent immediately, stating, “She had a brilliant voice, and I didn’t think there could be any more correct person for Sandy in the universe.”
The Hollywood Reporter’s original 1978 review of Grease praised Newton-John for her portrayal of “youthful innocence and vulnerability,” drawing comparisons to Debbie Reynolds and Doris Day.
Grease, made on a modest $6 million budget, became a box office juggernaut, grossing $395 million, which translates to approximately $1.7 billion in today’s dollars. It held the record for the highest-grossing American movie musical of the 20th century. The film’s soundtrack spawned timeless hits, including Newton-John’s solo ballad “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and the duets with Travolta, “You’re the One That I Want” and “Summer Nights.”
John Travolta expressed his profound grief and affection in an emotional Instagram post: “My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. 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!”
Alt text: A portrait of Olivia Newton-John smiling, showcasing her radiant personality and enduring charm.
Born on September 26, 1948, Olivia Newton-John’s family background was as remarkable as her career. Her father, Brinley, was a headmaster, and her mother, Irene, was the daughter of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Born. The family relocated to Melbourne when Olivia was five years old. Her musical journey began early, learning to play the piano and showcasing her talent from a young age.
By 15, Newton-John formed an all-girl group called Sol Four. Her winning performance of “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” on the TV show Sing, Sing, Sing earned her a trip to London. There, she partnered with Pat Carroll, performing for troops and in European clubs, honing her skills and gaining experience.
Newton-John signed with Decca Records in 1966, releasing her rendition of Jackie DeShannon’s “Till You Say You’ll Be Mine.” She then became part of Toomorrow, a pop group envisioned as the British equivalent of The Monkees, though the project, including a film, did not achieve mainstream success.
Opening for Cliff Richard and appearing on his TV show boosted her visibility. Her 1971 cover of Bob Dylan’s “If Not for You,” from her debut album, marked her breakthrough as a solo artist. In 1973, she received her first of four Grammy Awards, winning Best Country Vocalist for her US debut album, Let Me Be There. The title track became her first top 10 single.
Her ascent to superstardom continued with her first two No. 1 hits: “I Honestly Love You” in 1974 and “Have You Never Been Mellow” in 1975, cementing her place in music history.
John Farrar, her long-time songwriter, played a crucial role in her success, penning iconic hits like “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re the One That I Want.” Newton-John fondly recalled the moment Farrar presented “You’re the One That I Want,” stating, “He came into my trailer at, like, six in the morning, because he had been up all night. He played [‘You’re the One That I Want’] for me and said, ‘What do you think?’ I went, ‘Oh, God, it’s amazing.’ It just had this fantastic energy.”
Alt text: Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu, showcasing her versatility in both music and film during the 1980s.
Following the phenomenal success of Grease, Newton-John starred in the roller-disco musical fantasy Xanadu (1980), sharing a memorable dance scene with Gene Kelly in his final film appearance. While the movie itself wasn’t a critical triumph, the soundtrack was a smash hit, featuring “Magic,” which topped the charts for four weeks, “Xanadu” (with ELO), and “Suddenly” (a duet with Richard).
She reunited with Travolta in Two of a Kind (1983), which produced another top 10 hit, “Twist of Fate.” Then, in a bold image transformation, Newton-John embraced a more sensual persona with the groundbreaking “Physical” music video, showcasing her in Spandex and promoting aerobics. “Physical” dominated the charts for an unprecedented 10 weeks from late 1981 into early 1982, becoming the longest-running No. 1 song of the entire 1980s.
Throughout her career, she amassed a string of hits including “Let Me Be There,” “If You Love Me (Let Me Know),” “Make a Move on Me,” and “Heart Attack,” among numerous others, solidifying her place as a pop icon.
In later years, Newton-John continued to explore different facets of her artistry, playing Bitsy Mae Harling in Sordid Lives (2000) and its TV spin-off. She performed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, appeared in films like Score: A Hockey Musical (2010) and A Few Best Men (2011), and even guest-starred on Glee, performing “Physical” with Jane Lynch.
From 2014 to 2017, she had a successful residency in Las Vegas at the Flamingo, taking audiences on a “musical journey through her career in movies and music.”
Beyond her entertainment career, Olivia Newton-John became an inspiring advocate for breast cancer awareness and research. She played a key role in establishing the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne and raised millions of dollars to combat the disease. She preferred the term “cancer thriver” over “survivor,” explaining, “ ‘Survivor’ sounds like someone clinging onto a lifeboat. A thriver’s someone who’s already off the boat and on land.”
Her philanthropic efforts extended to various other charities and environmental causes.
Olivia Newton-John is survived by her husband John Easterling, whom she married in 2008, her daughter Chloe Lattanzi, sister Sarah, brother Toby, and numerous nieces and nephews. Her sister Rona, who passed away from brain cancer in 2013, was previously married to Jeff Conaway, her Grease co-star.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, continuing her legacy of hope and healing. Her impact on music, film, and cancer advocacy will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
