John Travolta's relative who was part of the Grease cast and you probably didn't know about.

Did you know that one of the actors in the iconic film Grease is actually related to John Travolta? It's true! Released in 1978, Grease quickly became a beloved movie of the 1970s, starring Olivia Newton-John and Travolta himself. But what many people may not know is that Travolta's own family member was also a part of the cast.

Since its release, Grease has become more than just a movie, it has turned into a huge franchise with musicals, theater productions, and even sequels and prequels. In fact, it was the highest-grossing musical film of all time when it first came out and is still ranked in the top 30 musical films today, even in 2024.

For many of the cast members, Grease was a launching pad for their careers, especially for Travolta who was only 23 years old when he starred in the film. Already a rising star, Travolta had previously appeared in other well-known films like Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction, and Hairspray, as well as the popular sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter.

With all of this clout, Travolta was able to use his connections to help a family member get a role in the film. That's right, Travolta's sister Ellen also had a small role in Grease. 14 years older than her brother, Ellen played a waitress at Frosty Palace, a key location in the movie.

Although her character doesn't even have a name and is only seen in a few scenes, fans were quick to notice the resemblance between her and Travolta. Some even joked that it was just Travolta in a wig. Ellen's appearance in the film was thanks to her brother, who asked the producers to give her a role.

Ellen's part in Grease may have been small, but it has brought her continuous income over the years through residuals. In a 2018 interview, she revealed that she still receives payments every 13 weeks for her work in the film, despite only filming for a couple of days.

Sadly, some of the other beloved cast members have passed away since the film's release. Susan Buckner, who played head cheerleader Patty Simcox, died at the age of 71. Newton-John, who played Sandy, also passed away from breast cancer at the age of 73 in 2022. And Jeff Conaway, who played Kenickie, passed away at the age of 60 in 2011.

But the legacy of Grease lives on, and the bond between Travolta and his sister Ellen remains strong. In fact, in a recent photo of them together, they still look just as close as they did in the film. Grease may have premiered 46 years ago, but it continues to capture the hearts of audiences and bring people together.

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