Jane Lynch, Antonio Banderas, Lea Salonga, Gabrielle Union, George Takei and more have posted tributes to “Grease” star and singer Olivia Newton-John, who died on Monday at 73 years old. In addition to John Travolta, who shared a heartfelt post about his “Grease” co-star on Instagram, other actors, directors and members of Hollywood took to social media to remember Newton-John’s career.
On Monday, Newton-John’s husband announced that she “passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California…surrounded by family and friends,” adding that she was “a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years” after sharing her experiences with breast cancer.
Newton-John’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi posted a series of photographs with her and her mother on Instagram without a caption.
ned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram/p/ChAtktgPHwj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">A post shared by Chloe Lattanzi (@chloelattanziofficial)
Jane Lynch, who sang “Physical” alongside Newton-John for her guest episode on “Glee” in 2010, simply tweeted “ONJ. Angel.”
ONJ. Angel. https://t.co/UfAf9ZlycA
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) August 8, 2022
Dionne Warwick, who featured Newton-John on her 2006 album “My Friends and Me,” wrote that “another angelic voice has been added to the Heavenly Choir,” and called the singer “One of the nicest people I had the pleasure of recording and performing with.”
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 🥲🙏🏾♥️
— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) August 8, 2022
Singer Richard Marx posted a series of pictures of Newton-John and him throughout the years, calling her “As kind and loving a person as there’s ever been.”
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. 💔 pic.twitter/Z1zkVe9CVb
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) August 8, 2022
Singer-Songwriter Melissa Etheridge wrote a tribute to the musician on Twitter, revealing that Newton-John was one of the first to reach out to her after her own cancer diagnosis.
Journey well, dear friend. She was one of the first to reach out to me after my cancer diagnosis. What a beautiful woman and special talent. Hard to know what to say. She will be missed. https://t.co/Y4y4hwIhB4
— Melissa Etheridge (@metheridge) August 8, 2022
“Star Trek” actor George Takei said: “We have lost a great, iconic artist in Olivia Newton John, gone too soon from us at age 73. I trust she is now in the great Xanadu beyond. Know that we are forever hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia. Rest in song and mirth.”
We have lost a great, iconic artist in Olivia Newton John, gone too soon from us at age 73. I trust she is now in the great Xanadu beyond. Know that we are forever hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia. Rest in song and mirth.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 8, 2022
Lea Salonga, who stars in HBO Max’s “Pretty Little Liars” reboot “Original Sin,” said: “Rest In Peace, Olivia Newton-John. Hers was one of the voices of my childhood. Deepest condolences to everyone she loved and loved her.”
Rest In Peace, Olivia Newton-John. Hers was one of the voices of my childhood. Deepest condolences to everyone she loved and loved her.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) August 8, 2022
Director James Gunn shared his condolences and revealed he lived in Newton-John’s former house at one point.
Really sad to hear about the passing of Olivia Newton-John. My first real crush as a kid. I loved Grease & her music & I coincidentally also bought & lived in for a while the wonderful home she built in Malibu. May she Rest In Peace. ❤️ https://t.co/gP10SJWqFZ
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 8, 2022
“Last Night in Soho” and “Shaun of the Dead” director Edger Wright paid tribute to the late star by praising her cult-classic musical film “Xanadu.”
Olivia Newton John so completely dominated the charts and Top Of The Pops when I was a kid, it felt like she WAS pop music. And yes, Xanuda is still a stone cold classic song. RIP x pic.twitter/k8wR1bi5G0
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) August 8, 2022
Read more reactions to Newton-John’s death below.
Rest in peace, Olivia Newton-John. 🖤
Deepest condolences to all of his family and loved ones. pic.twitter/qgHBVX4iMz— Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) August 8, 2022
Farewell with love to the legend who will forever be my first crush. Rest In Peace, Olivia Newton-John. 🥲🙏🏼👼🏻 https://t.co/IDdhwtoiDX
— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) August 8, 2022
“Grease” is my #1 movie of all time and made me a lifelong Olivia Newton John fan. Me and my sister watched Xanadu more times than I could count. Sending so much love and prayers to a real gift of a woman and talent. #RIPOliviaNewtonJohn 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/1M8lcVQuON
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) August 8, 2022
RIP Olivia Newton-John
Thank you so much for wonderful music and fun memories. pic.twitter/QBUnxEgmtn— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) August 8, 2022
I am SO saddened at the news of the passing of Olivia Newton John. I remember being so star struck when I met her at my first Hollywood gathering for Paramount. She was the sweetest and brightest light and I loved getting to know her on “It’s My Party.” RIP dear, sweet Olivia. pic.twitter/4FFgolVQNk
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) August 8, 2022
Very sad that lovely, talented, brave Olivia Newton- John has died. I never got to meet her, but everyone says she was wonderful- always kind.
— Mia Farrow🇺🇦 (@MiaFarrow) August 8, 2022
Very sad news. Great admiration for how she bravely faced breast cancer. Condolences to her loving family and friends. 🙏🏾💕 https://t.co/O5xuNjbAx4
— Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) August 8, 2022
Sad news about Olivia Newton John passing. https://t.co/pLwr2UhSB3
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) August 8, 2022
ned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram/p/ChAvSb8uAqj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">A post shared by Questlove (@questlove)
damn. i might gotta have a Xanadu/Two Of A Kind screening to mourn
— Dr. Love (@questlove) August 8, 2022
