Actress Susan Buckner, known for her role in the film “Grease,” has passed away at the age of 72. Buckner peacefully passed on May 2, surrounded by her family.
Buckner was known for her role as Patty Simcox in the 1978 film and highly popular musical film based on the stage musical of the same name. Her character, Patty, is a perky and enthusiastic cheerleader at Rydell High School. The film starred John Travolta as Danny Zuko and Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsson. The story was set in the 1950s and follows high school teenagers navigating love, friendships, and the challenges of youth.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Susan Buckner, best known to the moviegoing public as memorable, bubbly cheerleader Patty Simcox, who starred opposite John Travolta and the late Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 smash musical ‘Grease,'” Buckner’s family said in a statement.
Their friends and classmates, including the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds, added humor and depth to the film with their own subplots. The film’s music, featuring songs like “You’re the One That I Want,” “Summer Nights,” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” became iconic, helping Grease become a cultural phenomenon. It was a major box office success and remains beloved for its nostalgic take on high school life in the ’50s.
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Samantha Mansfield, Buckner’s daughter, said to PEOPLE, “The light she brought into every room will be missed forever. She was magic, and I was very lucky to call her my best friend.”
RIP Susan Buckner who played Patty Simcox in Grease 💔🕊 pic.twitter.com/LLgdhWuU3m
— ClassicActorsOfHollywood (@CAOH110291) May 7, 2024
Buckner’s career also included television appearances, notably her time on “The Brady Bunch Variety Hour,” a short-lived series that aired in the 1970s. In addition to her role in “Grease,” she appeared on several TV shows in the 1970s and 1980s, including “Police Woman,” “Starsky and Hutch,” and “The Love Boat.”
After her time in the spotlight as an actress, she became less prominent in the entertainment industry and focused on other pursuits. Her role in “Grease” remains her most notable contribution to popular culture.
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