A Porn Star Was Almost Cast in the Film Adaptation of ‘Grease’

Grease will forever be known for its classic cast of John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing and Jeff Conaway. However, Coach Calhoun, who was played by television icon Sid Caesar, was almost played by a porn star.

This revelation was discussed on a new episode of The Hollywood Reporter's It Happened in Hollywood podcast. The episode featured Randal Kleiser, the director of the 1978 film adaptation of the popular stage musical. Kleiser said (as transcribed by The Independent), "Allan [Carr, the producer] wanted to have the porn star Harry Reems play that part."

Reems, of course, is best known for playing Doctor Young in the 1972 pornographic film Deep Throat. Unsurprisingly, Carr's casting choice was met with some major resistance.

Kleiser said, "He actually hired him, and then the studio said, ‘No, no, no. You can’t do that.’ And so they had to fire him." Apparently, Reems was hoping the role would help him break out of the adult film world and into Hollywood. Kleiser added, "Allan felt so bad that he gave Harry $5,000 out of his own pocket."

Grease, of course, went on to become a classic. Per Box Office Mojo, the film has grossed over $396 million in theaters worldwide from its initial release and subsequent re-releases in theaters. Its soundtrack has sold 30 million copies worldwide and topped album sales charts in 13 different countries. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the Grease soundtrack was certified 8-times platinum selling over 8 million copies in 1984. The RIAA has yet to look into updated figures since, but it's safe to assume the soundtrack has likely gone diamond -- selling over 10 million copies -- since then.

Olivia Newton-John and her sudden death on August 8 have caused fans to download her music in staggering numbers.

Per Kworb.net, Newton-John currently has 11 of the top 20 most downloaded songs on iTunes in the United States. On top of that, seven of the top 20 albums downloaded on iTunes in the United States are Newton-John albums. The soundtrack to Grease is currently on top of that chart.

Newton-John is no stranger to hits. She had 40 songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in her career. Of those songs, 27 of them were top 40 hits, and five of them went to number 1. Those number one hits were 1974's "I Honestly Love You," 1975's "Have You Never Been Mellow," 1978's "You're the One That I Want" (with John Travolta), 1980's "Magic" and 1981's "Physical."

So, which tracks are fans seeking out to honor the pop star/actress? Scroll below to see which Newton-John songs are seeing an increase in downloads and where they're ranked!

Currently sits at #18 on the iTunes charts in the United States.

Currently sits at #17 on the iTunes charts in the United States.

Currently sits at #16 on the iTunes charts in the United States.

Currently sits at #15 on the iTunes charts in the United States.

Currently sits at #10 on the iTunes charts in the United States.

Currently sits at #8 on the iTunes charts in the United States.

Currently sits at #7 on the iTunes charts in the United States.

Currently sits at #6 on the iTunes charts in the United States.

Currently sits at #4 on the iTunes charts in the United States.

Currently sits at #2 on the iTunes charts in the United States.

Currently sits at #1 on the iTunes charts in the United States.