After all these years, I don’t think there’s ever been a more charismatic or relatable Rizzo than Stockard Channing.
Channing was a great artist and her singing was just fantastic in Grease – but nowadays, the 80-year-old looks almost unrecognizable.
Share
The first movie I ever saw Stockard Channing in was called The Big Bus and I thought it was hilarious. But back then, I could never imagine that she would go on and have such a remarkable career.
Today, Stockard Channing is best known for her iconic portrayal of Betty Rizzo in Grease, the 1978 American musical romantic comedy film based on the 1971 musical of the same name. Like many before me have pointed out, Channing was by far the best Rizzo out of all that have played the part.
Many probably also recognize Channing from the series The West Wing, where she starred as First Lady Abbey Bartlet. The experienced actress was praised for her instant chemistry with Martin Sheen, who played President Josiah Barlet.
“It just worked,” she told Entertainment Weekly in 2020.
“We had this chemistry from the beginning. I don’t know what it was, but we had it and it didn’t go away. It was a happy accident.”
Starring as Beth Rizzo
But let’s take a deeper look at the highlight of Channing’s career. Because in the name of honesty, she hasn’t appeared in any major motion picture since Grease, even though she has continued to act in films and on Broadway.
The 13-time Emmy Award nominee and seven-time Tony Award nominee appears to be totally fine with being most remembered for her portrayal of bad girl Beth Rizzo, one of the Pink Ladies in Grease.
But is that really the whole truth?
Back in 1973, Channing had little breakthrough starring in the TV-movie The Girl Most Likely to…, a black comedy about revenge.
“A lot of people talk about the G-word [Grease] and all of that, but back in the day, I had as many people stop me in the street about that one movie. Because it’s about revenge, and people would sit in their living rooms and go, ‘Oh, I’m the only person watching this’ or ‘this person understands me.’ I’m not kidding. It was a million years ago, and then it was the highest-rated movie of the week. Revenge always works,” she says.
According to Channing, she has only watched Grease only two times.
“I used to be grumpy about Grease because I thought it was a kids’ movie or something. But now it’s sort of amazing. I’m very proud of it,” she told The Times in 2019.
The Manhattan-born actress was 33 years old when she played Rizzo and playing a high school teenager wasn’t so easy for her.
”I was so much older than she was in life, but I could not think about that so I sort of threw myself back to what I felt when I was her age over, even younger. The complexity of adolescents and hormones and sexuality and all of that other stuff. Seeing that I really was older I think that added to the isolation of Rizzo,” Channing told Broadway World.
Channing, who became interested in acting at an early age, was thrilled when she was offered the role of Rizzo, and her performance made her a top-ranking star in the late 1970s. She earned a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture Supporting Actress, but the New York native had difficulty achieving similar success after Grease.
The beloved actress was handed two sitcoms of her own, Stockard Channing in Just Friends (1979) and The Stockard Channing Show (1980), but neither was successful and her career halted.
But with her look of Elizabeth Taylor and air of calm confidence, Channing didn’t give up and she continued to work as an actress, appearing in many highly-praised movies and stage plays. Her latest appearance on the big screen came was in Angry Neighbors, which premiered in 2022.
78-Year-Old Goldie Hawn Ages Gracefully and Doesn’t Care About Body Changes
While Goldie Hawn might have been out of the spotlight for the past couple of years, she’s been keeping busy connecting with fans on social media, sharing snaps alongside her family and closest people. Her daughter, Kate Hudson, recently shared a casual snapshot of Hawn that got some of Hudson’s 17 million followers wondering if Hawn might be pregnant.
Goldie is the cutest grandma to her seven grandchildren.
Goldie Hawn is known for being the coolest grandma around. She often shares these adorable moments with her fans, giving us a peek into the special connection she has with each of them. Plus, that’s not an easy job when you’re the grandma to seven grandchildren. Indeed, Hawn and her longtime partner Kurt Russell are grandparents to Kate’s three kids — Rani Rose, Bingham, and Ryder; Oliver’s three kids — Bodhi, Wilder, and Rio; and Wyatt Russell’s son, Buddy Prine, whom he welcomed in 2021.
Hawn couldn’t be happier with how her children’s lives are turning out and how they’re doing so well in their careers, but now she’s thrilled to be moving forward in life and sharing her wisdom with her grandkids, too. She emphasized the importance of hard work, compassion, and staying grounded, values instilled in her by her father: «And I’m passing that on because that was what my father taught me: Stay in reality. Don’t get taken away with everything.»
Hawn continued by expressing that the rest of the journey is in the hands of her children. She mentioned the importance of being present for them and understanding that they will need to resolve their own challenges, even though it may be difficult.
Her daughter Kate shared a carousel of family moments.
Kate shared a lovely photo on Instagram capturing her mother and daughter, Rani Rose Fujikawa, bonding, alongside a series of candid family snapshots from their household. The images gave a glimpse into the warm and inviting atmosphere of the Hudson home, guided by Kate and her fiancé, musician Danny Fujikawa.
The picture shows Goldie Hawn and her granddaughter sharing a beautiful moment captured in a touching scene, with Hawn leaning over to lovingly embrace the girl, both dressed in relaxed outfits. In the photo, Hawn looked laid-back in a comfy gray outfit, her hair flowing freely as she shared a warm smile.
But people found something «weird» in this snap
Observers noted the way Rani leaned against Hawn, combined with the lighting and wrinkles of Hawn’s shirt, led some to speculate that Hawn might be pregnant, sporting what appeared to be a baby bump. «Goldie looks pregnant, no? Is it just my imagination?» one commenter pondered. Another echoed the sentiment, questioning, «Why does she look pregnant?» However, amidst the speculation, there were also concerns for Hawn’s well-being. «I hope Goldie is well?!» one follower expressed.
Goldie always takes great care to maintain her fitness.
But Hawn Instagram page is not just about family moments, and people’s comments. From time to time, her social profile is like a goldmine for solid advice, especially when it comes to staying healthy and looking fabulous as you age. At 78, she’s rocking it, showing off her killer fitness and healthy eating habits that are total goals. Want to know her secrets?
Goldie’s diet is all about keeping it simple and healthy. No dairy, no sugar, no wheat. Instead, she starts her day with a green juice packed with kale, green peppers, parsley, and celery. Hawn’s holistic approach extends beyond diet to encompass her beauty practices, as she reveals a preference for chemical-free hair care.
Goldie’s stunning, golden locks aren’t just a coincidence of her name; they’re a result of her choice to steer clear of hair coloring treatments. Her commitment to embracing natural beauty stands out as a refreshing break from the usual norms.
As a symbol of graceful aging, Goldie Hawn radiates wisdom and serves as an inspiration not just for her peers, but for anyone looking to embrace aging with grace and energy. By openly sharing her fitness and skincare secrets, she empowers others to find their own paths to well-being and self-love.
We adore Goldie and her entire family, regardless of any speculation or negative comments from others. But you know what we cherish even more? The beautiful bond that she and her partner, Kurt Russell, share.
Preview photo credit katehudson / Instagram
Leave a Reply