Susan Buckner, who played cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dies at 72: Reports
Actress Susan Buckner, who starred opposite Olivia Newton-John in the movie musical "Grease," has died. She was 72.
Buckner, who played perky cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1950s-set teen drama, died Thursday "surrounded by loved ones," the actor's representative Melissa Berthier confirmed to People magazine and Entertainment Weekly. A cause of death was not provided.
In "Grease," Buckner's character Simcox was a good friend of Australian schoolgirl Sandy, played by Newton-John. The film, released in June 1978, grossed nearly $160 million at the global box office and became a pop-culture classic.
Buckner got her start in showbiz as a sketch performer on "The Dean Martin Show" in 1973. She made her silver-screen debut as a dancer in the 1976 musical comedy "The First Nudie Musical."
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Following the success of "Grease," Buckner made guest appearances on the TV series "B.J. and the Bear," "The Love Boat" and a 10-episode stint on "When the Whistle Blows," according to the actress's IMDb page.
Buckner also starred in the Wes Craven-directed thriller "Deadly Blessing" in 1981 alongside Maren Jensen and Sharon Stone.
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Buckner was married to film and TV score composer Michael R. Josephs from 1979-1997.
"The light she brought into every room will be missed forever," Buckner's daughter Samantha Mansfield told People magazine in a statement. "She was magic, and I was very lucky to call her my best friend."
