John Travolta shared sweet words for his late Grease costar Susan Buckner on Wednesday after her death at age 72.
Buckner’s family revealed she had died peacefully while surrounded by her loved ones in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, May 2, according to Deadline.
Her cause of death has not been publicized so far.
In his post, Travolta, 70, shared a side-by-side image of Buckner later in life alongside a black-and-white photo of her smiling visage that looked as if it was shot around the time that they filmed the classic 1978 musical.
‘Susan you made Grease that much more special!’ the Pulp Fiction actor gushed. ‘We will miss you!’
John Travolta, 70, shared sweet words for his late Grease costar Susan Buckner on Wednesday after her death at age 72; pictured April 18 at the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood
Travolta posted a side-by-side image of Buckner later in life alongside a black-and-white photo of her smiling visage that looked as if it was shot around the time that they filmed Grease
The actress played Patty Simcox opposite Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in Grease, which was based on the popular musical of the same name about students at Rydell High in the 1950s.
Buckner played the pretty but prim cheerleader who wore prescription glasses, fitted sweaters and full poodle skirts.
Her character was friends with Sandy — played by Newton-John — when she first came to the school.
Although she only had a small supporting part, Buckner did have one scene in which she tried to dance with Travolta’s character Danny Zuko before he rejected her advances.
She wasn’t the first Grease costar Travolta had to say goodbye to, as he previously dealt with the loss of his on-screen love interest Newton-John, who went on to become his lifelong friend.
She died in August 2022 following a lengthy struggle with cancer.
Buckner was 25 at the time she filmed her iconic scenes and previously spoke about how the whole cast definitely acted younger than their years.
She told People: ‘We were so bad. Almost everybody would come in two, three hours late. They had to bring us all in and give us a lecture.’
Following its release in 1978, the classic rom-com became a huge box office success, totaling $1.531 billion worldwide.
Susan was also on the TV shows The Mac Davis Show, Sonny and Cher, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
Buckner’s family revealed she had died peacefully while surrounded by her loved ones in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, May 2, according to Deadline; pictured with her late costar Olivia Newton-John (L)
‘Susan you made Grease that much more special!’ the Pulp Fiction actor gushed. ‘We will miss you!’; Buckner (center) pictured in Grease with Didi Conn (L) and Stockard Channing (R)
The actress played Patty Simcox opposite Olivia Newton-John and Travolta in the 1978 blockbuster film about students at Rydell High in the 1950s
Although she only had a small supporting part, Buckner did have one scene in which she tried to dance with Travolta’s character Danny Zuko before he rejected her advances
Buckner was born in Seattle, Washington in 1952.
Her career started out in the pageant world. She was crowned Miss Washington in 1971 and in September went on to become a top ten finalist in the Miss America 1972 pageant.
The title went to Miss Ohio Laurel Lea Schaefer.
Then she started acting.
Susan’s first role was as Judy on the hit TV series Police Woman for the episode titled Angela.
Next came 9 episodes on The Brady Bunch Hour where she played Krofftette.
She had a part as Jessica in 1977’s Switch then played Golden Age movie star Jean Harlow in the 1977 TV movie The Amazing Howard Hughes.
She was seen in three episodes of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mysteries.
In 1978 she guest starred as Sharon on Starksy & Hutch. That same year she appeared in the TV movie Return Engagement as Janice.
She also popped up as Kim Patterson in the episode titled The Spider Serenade/Next Door Wife/The Harder They Fall on the famed show The Love Boat in 1979.
Her last TV show was When The Whistle Blows in 1980.
Her last movie was 1981’s Deadly Blessing where she played Vicky Anderson.
Jamie Donnelly, Buckner, Newton-John, Conn in the musical scene
Seen on The Love Boat. She was on the episode The Spider Serenade/The Next Door Wife/Harder They Fall which aired on December 8, 1979.
Seen on The Love Boat with costar James MacArthur
Buckner at the Chiller Theatre Expo Spring 2018 at Hilton Parsippany in Parsippany, New Jersey
But she eventually decided to take a step back from her on screen career.
Buckner ended up directing children’s theater in Miami – and is said to have even masterminded a production of Grease.
She had also been a vocal supporter of various charitable organizations in recent years including the American Cancer Society to whom she donated an autographed bra that was then auctioned.
Susan is survived by her son Adam Josephs, daughter Samantha Mansfield, grandchildren Oliver, Riley, Abigail and Ruby as well as her sister Linda, daughter-in-law Noel Josephs, son-in-law Adam Mansfield and longtime partner Al.
