On August 8, legendary actress and star of the original Grease, Olivia Newton-John passed away after a decades-long battle with breast cancer. Since her passing, her family and her closest friends, including her beloved co-stars, have issued statements about just how much Newton-John will be missed.
One of those co-stars being Stockard Channing. Channing, if you don’t recall, is the actress who plays Rizzo opposite Newton-John.
Stockard Channing Shares Emotional Statement Following Olivia Newton-John’s Passing
“I don’t know if I’ve known a lovelier human being,” Channing told People via an exclusive statement. “Olivia was the essence of summer – her sunniness, her warmth and her grace are what always come to mind when I think of her.”
She continued, adding, “I will miss her enormously.”
Since her portrayal of Lizzo, Channing went on to star in Six Degrees of Separation, The West Wing, and Practical Magic. She’s also become quite the staple in Broadway’s scene.
Alongside Channing and Travolta, Didi Conn, who played Frenchy, also issued a statement. According to Conn, who remained a lifelong friend to Newton-John, Olivia couldn’t walk during her final days. “She told me that her health was, you know, she wasn’t walking anymore and she had full-time care but her husband John and her daughter Chloe were there all the time, and she told me that they were just so hopelessly devoted.”
Conn then shared the final message exchange she had with Olivia. “Last time I was in contact with Olivia was by text and I said, ‘I hope you know you’re in my heart, always,'” she told The Mirror. “And she wrote back, ‘And you are in mine’. That was our last message on July 5th.”
“Olivia’s death feels so personal to me and so many other people because she cared so much. Her heart was so big.”
“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,” the actor wrote alongside a photo of Newton-John.
As Mamas Uncut previously reported, on August 8, the family of Olivia Newton-John took to her official Facebook page to make a heartbreaking announcement.
“Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” the statement began.
“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the @onjfoundation.”
Olivia’s husband, since 2008, wrote and published, the above statement. Further noting at the conclusion of the statement, the beloved family members she is survived by.
“Olivia is survived by her husband John Easterling; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; nieces and nephews Tottie, Fiona and Brett Goldsmith; Emerson, Charlie, Zac, Jeremy, Randall, and Pierz Newton-John; Jude Newton-Stock, Layla Lee; Kira and Tasha Edelstein; and Brin and Valerie Hall.”
Heartbreaking.