Susan Buckner, Patty Simcox in ‘Grease,’ Dies at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing Patty Simcox in the classic 1978 movie musical Grease, has died. She was 72. Buckner’s death was confirmed in a statement from family publicist…
Susan Buckner, best known for playing Patty Simcox in the classic 1978 movie musical Grease, has died. She was 72.
Buckner's death was confirmed in a statement from family publicist Melissa Berthier to the media, who said, "Susan died peacefully on May 2 surrounded by loved ones." A cause of death was not disclosed.
Buckner's daughter, Samantha Mansfield, told 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."
Saying Goodbye to the Cast of Grease
Buckner's death is just the latest from Grease in recent years. Annette Charles, who played "Cha-Cha" DiGregorio, died in 2011 at age 63. Jeff Conaway, who played Kenickie, also died in 2011 at age 60. Edd Byrnes, who played Vince Fontaine, died in 2020 at age 87.
The most notable death from the Grease case in recent years was Olivia Newton-John. The singer and actress died in 2022 at age 73. Newton-John's death led to countless tributes, including from her Grease co-star John Travolta. He wrote on Instagram, "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!"
Travolta also gave a subtle, yet extremely touching tribute to Newton-John at the 95th Academy Awards, which can be seen below.
Grease is Still the Word
Grease, of course, is a classic. In 2020, the film was added to the Library of Congress's National Film Registry. Randal Kleiser, director of Grease, said in a statement, "The cast and crew of ‘Grease’ have remained close for the past 40 years. We are all honored to be included in this year’s national registry selection. Personally, I’ve spent the last year composing all my script notations, storyboards and photographs."
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.
We had to say goodbye to many people in 2024 from the worlds of entertainment, sports, politics and beyond.
Among the untimely deaths in 2024 was actor Carl Weathers. The actor best known for playing Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise died on February 1 at the age of 76.
Toby Keith was another major death in 2024. The country star died on February 1 at age 62 following a battle with stomach cancer. Countless artists from the country world shared tributes to Keith. Among them was Reba McEntire, who shared, "Toby and I are both from Oklahoma and very proud of our Oklahoma heritage. Toby worked very hard to make a mark in the country music business and did a great job doing that. I am very proud of him, and I hope he rests in peace. I was very honored to get to work with Toby and be a part of the era of country music he was in. We’ll sure miss him."
Another heartbreaking loss this year was Maggie Smith. The acclaimed British actress died at age 89. Her incredible career earned her numerous awards, including two Academy Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards.
Shannen Doherty was another big loss in 2024. Doherty died at age 53 following a public battle with cancer. She, of course, starred in Beverly Hills, 90210, which is still considered one of the most iconic teen television shows of all time.
Scroll through the gallery below to see the musicians, celebrities and other cultural figures we've lost in 2024.
Quincy Jones
Tom Cooper/Getty Images for Global Down Syndrome FoundationMaggie Smith
John Phillips/Getty Images for BFIDonald Sutherland
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesCarl Weathers
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for DisneyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 28: Carl Weathers attends the Mandalorian special launch event at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 28, 2023. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Kris Kristofferson
Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesJohn Amos
Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Time Warner Inc.Liam Payne
Gareth Cattermole/Getty ImagesGlynis Johns
Daily Express/Getty ImagesWelsh actress Glynis Johns enters a taxi at London Airport, UK, 15th May 1966. (Photo by Daily Express/Getty Images)
Shannen Doherty
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Hallmark ChannelJames Earl Jones
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesPete Rose
Mark Lyons/Getty ImagesDr. Ruth Westheimer
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for HuluRichard Lewis
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS - JULY 27: Comedian/actor Richard Lewis hosts the Video Software Dealers Association's award show at the organization's annual home video convention at the Bellagio July 27, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Phil Donahue
Allen Berezovsky/Getty ImagesRichard Simmons
Moses Robinson/Getty ImagesToby Keith
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty ImagesAUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Toby Keith performs onstage during the 2021 iHeartCountry Festival Presented By Capital One at The Frank Erwin Center on October 30, 2021 in Austin, Texas. Editorial Use Only. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
Shelley Duvall
Mark Renders/Getty ImagesLouis Gossett Jr.
Charley Gallay/Getty Images for TCMHOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 13: Special Guest Louis Gossett Jr. speaks onstage at the screening of 'A Raisin in the Sun' at the 2019 TCM 10th Annual Classic Film Festival on April 13, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for TCM)
Terri Garr
Newsmakers/Getty ImagesO.J. Simpson
Steve Marcus-Pool/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 2: O.J. Simpson leaves court after closing arguments for his trial at the Clark County Regional Justice Center on October 2, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart are standing trial on 12 charges, including felony kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy related to a 2007 confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel. (Photo by Steve Marcus-Pool/Getty Images)
Phil Lesh
Michael Buckner/Getty ImagesDickey Betts
Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Webster PRNASHVILLE, TN - MAY 19: Recording Artist Dickey Betts at the press confrence for the Gibson Custom Southern Rock tribute 1959 Les Paul at the Gibson Guitar Factory on May 19, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Webster PR)
Susan Buckner
David Livingston/Getty ImagesMorgan Spurlock
Jemal Countess/Getty Images for BFCA and BTJADavid Soul
Keystone/Getty Images2nd November 1976: Film, TV star and soul singer David Soul sits in a radio studio to broadcast an interview. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Jesse Jane
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS - JANUARY 10: Adult film actress Jesse Jane arrives at the 26th annual Adult Video News Awards Show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center January 10, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Aston Barrett
Stephen Lovekin/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 27: Musician Aston "Family Man" Barrett of The Wailers performs at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill on December 27, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Wayne Kramer
Donna Ward/Getty ImagesNEW YORK - APRIL 17: Wayne Kramer of MC5 performs as part of the 10th Anniversary Benefit Supporting Road Recovery at the Nokia Theater in TImes Square on April 17, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Donna Ward/Getty Images)
Leon Wildes
Joe Corrigan/Getty ImagesNEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Attorney Leon Wildes attends the "LENNONYC" premiere during the 48th New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on September 25, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images)
Joyce Randolph
Gabe Palacio/ImageDirect/Getty ImagesJoyce Randolph, "The Honeymooners", at the TV Land and Nick at Nite Upfront in "The Bat Cave" on Broadway in New York City on April 24, 2002. photo by Gabe Palacio/ImageDirect
Mary Weiss
Ron Case/Getty ImagesThree members of the singing group the Shangri-Las (previously the Bon Bons) on a visit to London. Extreme left and right sisters Margie and Mary Anne Ganser (1947 - 1971) and in the centre Mary Weiss whose sister Betty the fourth member of the group stayed at home in the USA because of illness. (Photo by Ron Case/Getty Images)
Shifty Shellshock
Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Rockefellas StudioNorman Jewison
Jerod Harris/Getty ImagesBEVERLY HILLS, CA - APRIL 13: Norman Jewison arrives at AMPAS Presents 'Perfect Choice: The Art of the Casting Director' at Samuel Goldwyn Theater on April 13, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images)
Dexter Scott King
Erik S. Lesser/Getty ImagesATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 20: Dexter Scott King, son of slain civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., speaks during the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service at the Ebenezer Baptist Church January 20, 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images)
Paul Di'Anno
Robert Ellis/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesMelanie
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican singer and songwriter Melanie Safka posed on 20th March 1971. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Melinda Wilson
Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesBEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 10: Musician Brian Wilson and Melinda Ledbetter attend the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Mike Pinder (R)
Theo Wargo/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of FameCLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 14: John Lodge and Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues attend the 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium on April 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
JD Souther
Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Americana MusicTito Jackson
Marcus Ingram - ABA /Getty ImagesSteve Albini
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for FYF
