John Travolta pays tribute to 'special' Grease co-star Susan Buckner following death aged 72
John Travolta has paid a touching tribute to Grease co-star Susan Buckner following her death aged 72.
The two starred together in the iconic musical movie released in 1978 with Travolta portraying the character Danny Zuko, while Buckner portrayed Patty Simcox who befriended his love interest Sandy Dumbrowski (Olivia Newton-John).
Taking to Instagram Stories on Wednesday evening, the Pulp Fiction actor uploaded two pictures side-by-side with one showing Buckner as her character in Grease, while the other was a more recent shot.
He wrote alongside the post: "Susan you made Grease that much more special! We will miss you!"
The US actress “died peacefully on May 2 surrounded by loved ones”, a statement given to the PA news agency from publicist Melissa Berthier said.
Her daughter Samantha Mansfield said: “She was magic. She was my best friend. And I will miss her every day.
“I was lucky I had such a lighting rod of a mother and now I have her as an angel.”
Buckner was best known for landing the role of effervescent cheerleader Patty Simcox, opposite the late Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in the hit 1978 musical.
A memorable scene came during a rallying cry for fictional Rydell High School which embodied the pep and school spirit of her character.
“Do the splits, give a yell, show a little spirit for Old Rydell! Way to go, red and white, go Rydell, fight, fight, fight,” Buckner said on screen.
She also made appearances on The Mac Davis Show, Sonny And Cher, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
Other acting credits included the 1981 Wes Craven horror film Deadly Blessing alongside Sharon Stone, as well as in Police Academy 6: City Under Siege in 1989.
