Olivia Newton-John's 'Grease' co-star Didi Conn says icon 'wasn't walking' in her final days
NEWYORK CITY: Olivia Newton-John passed away at the age of 73 after a 30-year fight with breast cancer, leaving all of her loved ones in despair. Didi Conn, Olivia Newton-John's 'Grease' co-star, has opened up to fans about how deeply the adored actress' illness had affected her in the days preceding her passing.
In 'Good Morning America' episode aired on Tuesday, August 9, the American actress, best remembered for playing Frenchy in the classic musical film, claimed that Newton-John had informed her that she "wasn't walking anymore and that she had full-time care." She said, "Her husband, John, and her daughter, Chloe, were there all the time and she told me that they were just so hopelessly devoted."
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Conn, 71, also remembered how she and Newton-John first met on the set in 1970s, saying the starlet was first a little timid. The 'Shining Time Station' actress recalled, "She told me she had been in another movie and it didn't go as well as she had hoped, so I just began improvising with her." Conn added that the 'Hopelessly Devoted to You' singer said that she will "always be grateful" for that moment. Conn remarked that she will always cherish her friend as someone with a "big heart" who "cared so much for everybody."
Meanwhile, many of her friends and colleagues have expressed their sorrow on social media. Her 'Grease' love interest, John Travolta, had some cordial words to say about the 'I Love You, I Honestly Love You' singer.
The actor, 68, posted a heartfelt Instagram post on August 8, Monday with the message, "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 actress' death was confirmed by her husband John Easterling on her official social media page. "Dame Olivia Newton-John 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 read.
"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," the statement continued.
"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," the statement's conclusion read.