Much-Loved ‘Grease’ Star Dead

(TheLastPatriotNews.com) – Actress Susan Buckner, renowned for her role as Patty Simcox in the iconic 1978 musical “Grease,” has passed away at the age of 72.

See photos of Buckner in the tweet below!

“Susan died peacefully on May 2 surrounded by loved ones,” stated Melissa Berthier, a publicist representing the family, in a communication to People magazine on Tuesday.

The cause of Buckner’s death was not disclosed, The New York Post reports.

Buckner’s daughter, Samantha Mansfield, also shared her reflections on her mother’s passing.

“The light she brought into every room will be missed forever,” Mansfield expressed to the publication.

“She was magic, and I was very lucky to call her my best friend,” she added.

In “Grease,” Buckner portrayed Simcox, a cheerleader and one of the friends of the main character Sandy, played by Olivia Newton-John.

Born in 1952 in Seattle, Washington, Buckner achieved the title of Miss Washington in 1971.

She later became a member of the Golddiggers, an all-female performance troupe on “The Dean Martin Show.”

Her career continued with appearances on several variety shows including “The Mac Davis Show,” “Sonny and Cher,” and “The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.”

Buckner’s most notable role came in “Grease,” where she starred with actors John Travolta, Stockard Channing, Barry Pearl, Dinah Manoff, Michael Tucci, and the late Jeff Conaway, who passed away in May 2011.

Newton-John, another co-star, died in August 2022 after a prolonged battle with breast cancer.

Simcox’s character is remembered for her enthusiastic cheer in the film: “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 did not participate in the sequel, “Grease 2,” which featured Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield and was released in 1982.

After “Grease,” she appeared in television series such as “Starsky & Hutch” and “The Love Boat.” Her final screen role was in the 1981 horror film “Deadly Blessing.”

In later years, Buckner directed children’s theater and instructed dance at a gym in Florida.

She leaves behind her daughter Samantha Mansfield, son Adam Josephs, grandchildren Oliver, Riley, Abigail, and Ruby, sister Linda, daughter-in-law Noel Josephs, son-in-law Adam Mansfield, and her long-term partner Al.