Olivia Newton-John: Grease star Barry Pearl breaks down over his longtime friend’s death

Olivia Newton-John’s Grease co-star Barry Pearl broke down on Australian breakfast TV show Today on Tuesday as he spoke about the tragic news of her death aged 73. 

The actress died peacefully at her home in Southern California on Monday morning, surrounded by family and friends. Her husband John Easterling announced her death on her Facebook page. 

Pearl, 72, who played Frenchy’s boyfriend ‘Doody’ in Grease over four decades ago, cried as he recalled the last message he sent to his beloved friend prior to her passing. 

‘I had just written to Olivia, this was about a week or so ago,’ Pearl wept. 

The actor said he’d heard from a colleague that Olivia was ‘failing again’ and that ‘it wasn’t going to be long’ until she passed away and he decided to get in touch before it was too late. 

‘I took it upon myself to write to her, as we would occasionally share emails amongst each other – [with] the other Grease-er pals too,’ he explained. 

‘She would always sign her emails, ‘With love and light, Olivia’. And I wrote to her – basically if you read between the lines she would be able to tell that I knew there was something going on – and I basically said that, ‘On your journey forward, simply know that you, Olivia , are the love and the light”, he continued. 

The American star described his message as ‘profound and true’, adding: ‘She just always exuded that positivity. Just the way she handled this journey with grace. Her heart was so big.’ 

Pearl famously played Doody, one of the three T-birds, a gang of teen boys who attended Rydell High School, in the 1978 film version of Grease.   

He went on to appear on plenty of TV shows over the years, including Beverly Hills, 90210, Baywatch, Criminal Minds and more. 

Like his Grease co-star Didi Conn, Barry returned to the franchise for Grease: Live, this time playing the role of Mr. Stan Weaver.

While he never quite reached the heights of Grease again, Pearl went on to become an acting teacher. 

It comes after Grease star John Travolta led the celebrity tributes to Olivia following her death. 

The Grease star died with loved ones by her side at her ranch home in Southern California on Monday, according to her husband, John Easterling.

A Facebook post read: ‘We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.’

Her Grease co-star Travolta was among the first to pay tribute, writing: ‘My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much.’

He added: ‘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!’ 

Actress Mandy Moore shared a black and white photo of the star, with the caption ‘Thank you for the joy you brought countless people around the world.’ 

George Takei also paid tribute to the actress, writing on Twitter: ‘We have lost a great, iconic artist in Olivia Newton John, gone too soon from us at age 73.’ 

‘I trust she is now is the great Xanadu beyond. Know that we are forever helplessly devoted to you, Olivia. Rest in song and mirth.’

Singer Richard Marx posted photos of himself along with the late actress, writing: ‘My heart is broken. Rest now, sweet friend. You were as kind and loving a person as there’s ever been. I’ll miss you every day.’ 

Singer Dionne Warwick wrote ‘Another angelic voice has been added to the Heavenly Choir. Not only was Olivia a dear friend, but one of the nicest people I had the pleasure of recording and performing with. I will most definitely miss her. She now Rests in the Arms of the Heavenly Father.’ 

Broke Shields shared a lovely black and white photo of her and Olivia to Instagram, writing: ‘A true class act whose light shines everywhere she went… she inspired us all.’

‘A wonderful mother and wife, who was grace and strength personified. Sending all of my love to Olivias family and friends. She’ll never be forgotten.

Dancing With The Stars pro Petra Murgatroyd shared an Instagram Story, writing: ‘This has done me over today. An Aussie icon and legend, there will never be another. This is so tragic. RIP the beloved Sandy. 

Actress Elle Fanning posted a beautiful photo of the star writing: ‘Forever icon’ while  Gabrielle Union shared a snap of Olivia from Grease. 

Fellow Australian star Rebel Wilson wrote ‘You were a true icon and I absolutely adored you!’ 

Comedian Rosie O’Donnell, 60, took to Instagram and TikTok with a video expressing her sadness at the news.

‘Oh boy, just heard about Olivia Newton-John. What a great woman she was. She fought long and hard. She had cancer a while.’

‘I loved her, I almost bought her house in Florida. It didn’t go through but… she was amazing, and I lover her. It’s very sad. Rest in Peace, beautiful woman.’

Olivia’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi, 36, shared a number of touching photos of the two of them on her Instagram profile. One black and white snap featured a young Chloe giving her mother a kiss.

Another snap saw Olivia holding Chloe when she was a baby, while yet another photo showed the two women smiling as they took a selfie together. 

Chloe also shared a photo where Olivia looked proudly at her as they did an interview together.  

A source known to TMZ also said Monday: ‘After a 30-year cancer journey, she lost her battle to metastatic breast cancer,’ which was first diagnosed in 1992, more than 30 years ago. In 2013, it resurfaced before going into remission again until it reappeared in 2017.

Olivia got her big break in the 1978 movie musical as good two shoes teenager Sandy Olsen – in which she starred opposite John Travolta’s hunky bad boy Danny Zuko – and originated the new song ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’.

This came after her pop career – which began in the early 70s – where Olivia made her name with a string of pop hits, such as If Not for You, Let Me Be There and the smash hit Have You Never Been Mellow.

The Glee guest star had daughter Chloe Lattanzi, now 36, with her ex Matt Lattanzi, who she married in 1984 and split from in 1995. 

Olivia tied the knot with John in 2008, who appealed for donations to her cancer charity in her memory.

He added on the post: ‘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.’

‘In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund (ONJFoundationFund.org).’

John concluded: ‘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.’