Olivia Newton-John

Singer • Actress

Birth Date: September 26, 1948

Death Date: August 8, 2022

Birth Place: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK

Awards

One of the most iconic figures in the history of pop music, Olivia Newton-John was perhaps best known for her role as Sandy in the blockbuster hit movie musical "Grease" (1978). Born in Cambridge, England in 1948, Newton-John's family relocated to Australia when she was six, bestowing her with a memorable accent that would remain indelible to her public image. Newton-John was only 14 when she formed a girl-group with three friends and began performing regularly at her brother-in-law's coffee shop. By 18, she had starred in the Australian movie "Funny Things Happen Down Under" and won a trip to England as part of a musical talent competition, where she eventually recorded the single "Till You Say You'll Be Mine" for Decca Records. After touring Britain for a time with singer Pat Carroll, Newton-John released the full-length album If Not For You in 1971. Two years later, she found her niche with the album Let Me Be There, which took on a distinct country-pop style. Several hit albums followed before Newton-John won her iconic role in "Grease," taking her fame to unprecedented levels. Though her next movie "Xanadu" (1980) would prove more of a cult hit, Newton-John continued recording, taking on a more adult contemporary pop sound for the smash album Physical. Newton-John's output would remain steady until 1992, when she was forced to take a break while recovering from breast cancer. She would chronicle the struggle on the 1994 record Gaia: One Woman's Journey, and subsequently continued to act as an advocate for breast cancer research and awareness. The 2000s found Newton-John more focused on collaboration, teaming with other artists for the duets album (2), and pairing with her "Grease" co-star John Travolta for the holiday album This Christmas. She would also remain active on screen, appearing in the tongue-in-cheek horror movie "Sharknado 5: Global Swarming" (2017). Olivia Newton-John died on August 8, 2022 in CA at the age of 73.