The Cast of Grease’s Combined Net Worth Is Over $300 Million
"Grease" was the movie of the summer of 1978 and launched its cast into the Hollywood stratosphere.
Some remained in the spotlight — we're looking at you John Travolta (who has the biggest net worth on this list by far) — while others took on different careers far from the industry.
Nevertheless, the cast of "Grease" has remained close after all these years.
Then: John Travolta
"Grease" character: Danny Zuko
Age when "Grease" was released: 24
Bottom line: John Travolta became a household name as Vinnie Barbarino on "Welcome Back, Kotter," before landing the role of Billy Nolan, a bullying prankster in the 1976 horror film "Carrie."
Before "Grease," he starred as Tony Manero in "Saturday Night Fever," which catapulted him onto the A-list.
After 'Grease': John Travolta
Age in 2022: 68
Net worth: $250 million
Career highlights: "Saturday Night Fever," "Urban Cowboy," Pulp Fiction," "Hairspray," "Face/Off," "Get Shorty"
What He's Up to Today
Travolta hit a bit of a speed bump during the 1980s, but with the help of Quentin Tarantino, who cast him as the lead in 1994's "Pulp Fiction," he once again became the talk of the town.
Since his wife, Kelly Preston, died in 2020, Travolta has been semi-retired — deciding to take a few years off to spend time with his kids.
Then: Olivia Newton-John
"Grease" character: Sandy Olsson
Age when "Grease" was released: 30
Bottom line: With soft rock hits like "I Honestly Love You," "Please Mister Please" and "If You Love Me," Olivia Newton-John was one of the biggest voices in pop music in the 1970s and '80s.
After 'Grease': Olivia Newton-John
Age in 2022: 73 (at the time of her death)
Net worth: $60 million
Career highlights: The film "Xanadu" and a musical career that spanned nearly five decades
What She's Up to Today
Newton-John took on a few more film roles, but none were as successful as "Grease." However, 1980s hits like "Physical" and "Magic" kept her in the public eye.
Newton-John more recently appeared as a judge on "American Idol," "Dancing With the Stars," and "RuPaul's Drag Race."
She suffered from breast cancer for nearly three decades and died of the disease on Aug. 8, 2022.
Then: Stockard Channing
"Grease" character: Betty Rizzo
Age when "Grease" was released: 34
Bottom line: Stockard Channing was largely a stage actress and is best remembered for playing her first leading role in film in a TV movie, "The Girl Most Likely to..." in 1973.
After 'Grease': Stockard Channing
Age in 2022: 78
Net worth: $15 million
Career highlights: "The Business of Strangers," "Six Degrees of Separation," "The West Wing," "First Wives Club"
What She's Up to Today
In 1993, Channing received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in "Six Degrees of Separation."
In 2002, she won an Emmy for her role as first lady Abbey Bartlet on "The West Wing" and is still seen on stage and in TV guest spots.
Then: Jeff Conaway
"Grease" character: Kenickie Murdoch
Age when "Grease" was released: 28
Bottom line: Before "Grease," Conaway worked as a child model and appeared in the original Broadway cast of "Grease" as Danny Zuko.
After 'Grease': Jeff Conaway
Age in 2022: Deceased in 2011 at age 60
Net worth: $250,000 (at the time of death)
Career highlights: "Taxi," "Babylon 5"
What He's Up to Today
Conaway became a household name as the result of his roles in the TV shows "Taxi" and "Babylon 5," but he could not overcome his substance addiction.
Before he died in 2011, he appeared in two seasons of "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew."
Then: Didi Conn
"Grease" character: Frenchy
Age when "Grease" was released: 27
Bottom line: Just before "Grease," Didi Conn starred in "You Light Up My Life," a movie based around the classic song.
After 'Grease': Didi Conn
Age in 2022: 71
Net worth: $5 million
Career highlights: "You Light Up My Life," "Grease 2," "Frieda," "Benson," "Shining Time Station"
What She's Up to Today
Didi Conn has never stopped acting. She reprised the role of Frenchy in "Grease 2," and in "Grease Live," she played Vi, the waitress who attempts to talk sense into Frenchy after she drops out of beauty school.
In 2019, she was also a contestant on the British series, "Dancing on Ice."
Then: Barry Pearl
"Grease" character: Doody
Age when "Grease" was released: 28
Bottom line: Although Pearl has continued acting in bit parts, the role of Doody is what he is best known for.
After 'Grease': Barry Pearl
Age in 2022: 72
Net worth: $1 to $5 million
Career highlights: "C.P.O. Sharkey," "Grease: Live"
What He's Up to Today
Pearl has done guest spots on TV and in film and starred in the Broadway musical "Baby It’s You!" When he returned to "Grease: Live" in 2016, he played the role of Mr. Weaver.
Pearl also teaches film to special needs students.
Then: Dinah Manoff
"Grease" character: Marty Maraschino
Age when "Grease" was released: 22
Bottom line: One of Manoff's first appearances was on "Welcome Back, Kotter" opposite John Travolta. She is the daughter of actress Lee Grant.
After 'Grease': Dinah Manoff
Age in 2022: 66
Net worth: $1.5 million
Career highlights: "Ordinary People," "Soap" "Empty Nest," "State of Grace"
What She's Up to Today
Manoff appears to be retired from acting.
She currently resides in Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Then: Kelly Ward
"Grease" character: Putzie
Age when "Grease" was released: 21
Bottom line: Kelly Ward co-starred with another "Grease" alum, John Travolta, in the 1970s made-for-TV film, "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble," before landing the role of Putzie.
After 'Grease': Kelly Ward
Age in 2022: 65
Net worth: $1 to $5 million
Career highlights: Working as a voice director for Disney Television Animation
What He's Up to Today
After "Grease," Ward chose a career behind the camera.
He continues to work in Disney animation and also teaches musical theater at the University of Southern California.
Then: Jamie Donnelly
"Grease" character: Jan
Age when "Grease" was released: 33
Bottom line: Jamie Donnelly played Magenta in the U.S. premiere of "The Rocky Horror Show" opposite Tim Curry and Meat Loaf in Los Angeles in 1974 and is featured on the original cast soundtrack singing "Science Fiction/Double Feature."
She played the role on Broadway a year later when she was called in to read for "Grease."
After 'Grease': Jamie Donnelly
Age in 2022: 75
Net worth: $1 to $5 million
Career highlights: "The Rocky Horror Show," "Ray Donovan"
What She's Up to Today
Donnelly has done guest spots on a variety of shows and is often seen on the convention circuit for both "Grease" and "Rocky Horror."
She's now an acting coach in Los Angeles, California (and, apparently, she's not afraid of chainsaws).
Then: Michael Tucci
"Grease" character: Sonny LaTierri
Age when "Grease" was released: 22
Bottom line: Tucci is best known for his role in "Grease" but was a regular on "The Paper Chase," and "It's Garry Shandling's Show." He also spent a few years in the touring production of "Chicago."
After 'Grease': Michael Tucci
Age in 2022: 76
Net worth: $3 million
Career highlights: "It's Garry Shandling's Show," "The Paper Chase," "Diagnosis: Murder," "Flying Blind"
What He's Up to Today
Tucci left acting to become a high school teacher and theater coach in California.
He is now retired and has two daughters.
Then: Lorenzo Lamas
"Grease" character: Tom Chisum
Age when "Grease" was released: 20
Bottom line: Lamas is the son of actors Fernando Lamas and Arlene Dahl and the stepson of swimmer and actress Esther Williams. "Grease" was his first big movie.
After 'Grease': Lorenzo Lamas
Age in 2022: 64
Net worth: $2 million
Career highlights: "The Bold and the Beautiful," "Falcon Crest"
What He's Up to Today
After "Grease," Lamas landed the role of Lance Cumson on "Falcon Crest," which ran for nine seasons in the 1980s. He became a soap star on "The Bold and the Beautiful" and was the voice of Meap on Disney's "Phineas and Herb."
In 2016, he began working as a helicopter pilot.
Then: Annette Charles
"Grease" character: "Cha-Cha" DiGregorio
Age when "Grease" was released: 20
Bottom line: A dancer from a young age, Charles's role in "Grease" was the biggest of her career.
After 'Grease': Annette Charles
Age in 2022: Deceased in 2011 at age 63
Net worth: NA
Career highlights: Charles did guest and bit parts in movies and TV before becoming a professor.
What She's Up to Today
Charles left Hollywood to become a speech communication professor at California State University, Northridge.
She was hospitalized for pneumonia in 2011 and died of lung cancer the same year.
Then: Dennis Stewart
"Grease" character: Leo "Craterface" Balmudo
Age when "Grease" was released: 31
Bottom line: Stewart was more a dancer than an actor. His role in "Grease" was the biggest of his short career.
After 'Grease': Dennis Stewart
Age in 2022: Stewart died in 1994 at age 46
Net worth: NA
Career highlights: "Grease 2," "Zoot Suit"
What He's Up to Today
Stewart did some bit parts on TV and in movies until the late 1980s.
He died from pneumonia due to AIDS complications in 1994.
Then: Eddie Deezen
"Grease" character: Eugene Felsnic
Age when "Grease" was released: 21
Bottom line: Deezen began his career as a stand-up comedian but wasn't very good, and after getting gonged by Paul Williams on "The Gong Show," he focused on acting.
After 'Grease': Eddie Deezen
Age in 2022: 65
Net worth: $5,000
Career highlights: "War Games," "Grease 2," "Dexter's Laboratory"
What He's Up to Today
In recent years, Deezen has run afoul with the law. In 2021, he allegedly assaulted a police officer after refusing to leave a Maryland restaurant.
Just a few months later, he unlawfully entered a nursing home and has since been charged with burglary, trespassing and disturbing the peace.
In August 2022, Deezen was found not competent to stand trial, which may account for his rather low net worth.
Then: Frankie Avalon
"Grease" character: Teen Angel
Age when "Grease" was released: 37
Bottom line: Frankie Avalon not only played an angelic teen idol, but he was one! His first single, "Venus," was released in 1959 and went to the top of the pop charts.
When the Beatles came to U.S. shores in 1964, teen pop stars like Avalon were old hat overnight. However, he stayed in the public eye and in the hearts of fans through the beach party film genre.
After 'Grease': Frankie Avalon
Age in 2022: 81
Net worth: $30 million
Career highlights: "Beach Party," "Beach Blanket Bingo," "How to Stuff a Wild Bikini," "Back to the Beach," "Casino"
What He's Up to Today
At 81, Avalon is still going strong. He still plays the occasional show and has even revised his role as Teen Angel in a touring production of "Grease."
He said, "'Grease' is the most successful thing I've ever been a part of. It spans generations. If I go to a restaurant or if I'm at an airport and people recognize me, it amazes me that most of them know me from 'Grease.'"