Newton-John, who fought a decades-long battle with breast cancer, died peacefully at her California ranch on Monday surrounded by family and friends.
Actor John Travolta, who co-starred with Olivia Newton-John in the hit movie musical "Grease," took to social media on Monday to share a heartfelt tribute to the late singer. "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better," Travolta captioned an Instagram post featuring a throwback photograph of the late icon. "Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the moment I saw you and forever!" He signed off the homage with a reference to his famous "Grease" character: "Your Danny, your John!"
Newton-John, who fought a decades-long battle with breast cancer, died peacefully at her California ranch on Monday surrounded by family and friends, according to a statement from her husband, John Easterling. She was 73. "Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time," Easterling wrote in a statement on the singer's verified Instagram account. "Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer."
Newton-John and Travolta gained international fame in 1978 after delivering two of their most iconic film performances as bad boy Danny Zuko and sweet Sandy Olsson in the cult classic. The Australian singer also gave her voice to three of the movie's biggest hits: the duets "You're The One That I Want" and "Summer Nights" with Travolta, and her swoony solo ballad, "Hopelessly Devoted to You." Speaking to CNN in 2017 about the film's long-lasting impact, Newton-John said: "I don't think anyone could have imagined a movie would go on almost 40 years and would still be popular and people would still be talking to me about it all the time and loving it. It's just one of those movies. I'm very lucky to have been a part of it. It's given so many people pleasure."
Travolta and Newton-John remained lifelong friends after the the release of "Grease" and often reunited to celebrate the movie. The pair also memorably recreated their famous dance moves on the red carpet at a 40th anniversary screening for the classic in 2018. "We rehearsed so much in the three week period to get it right," Travolta told Variety at the time about rehearsing for the film with his co-star. "And you can see from the energy on that film, we were so anxious to get it right that I think everythingโit was like going to school. Every day there was a regimen: song, dance, recording, rehearsing scenes, rewriting scenes. It was a big myriad of events."
GREASE (1978)
โ One Perfect Shot (@OnePerfectShot) August 8, 2022
Cinematography by Bill Butler
Directed by Randal Kleiser
RIP Olivia Newton-John ๐ pic.twitter.com/mIxQ3varwO
In loving memory of our Sandy, Olivia Newton-John.โค๏ธ pic.twitter.com/QGOiCrQSM3
โ Grease (@GoGrease) August 8, 2022
Since I was ten years old, I have loved and looked up to Olivia Newton John. And, I always will. (Just like this picture @nfsaonline) She was, and always will be, an inspiration to me in so many, many ways. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. x ONJ4EVER pic.twitter.com/3nE8PVDFLy
โ Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) August 8, 2022
My great friend Olivia Newton John has passed away. She was the perfect Lady, gorgeous, with great poise and with a certain Aussie sophistication.
โ Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) August 8, 2022
Her spandex trousers in Grease were my inspiration for my โDa ya think Iโm Sexyโ era.
RIP Olivia
Sir Rod pic.twitter.com/Suleq8JSkX
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. โค๏ธ https://t.co/gP10SJWqFZ
โ James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 8, 2022
My heart is broken. Rest now, sweet friend. You were as kind and loving a person as thereโs ever been. Iโll miss you every day. ๐ pic.twitter.com/Z1zkVe9CVb
โ Richard Marx (@richardmarx) August 8, 2022
According to the BBC, Newton-John was first diagnosed with cancer in 1992. The star went on to become a leading advocate for cancer research and raised millions of pounds to support the cause through her charity, the Olivia Newton John Foundation. In a statement following her death, the hospital that runs the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne said that she "encouraged, inspired and supported" staff and patients every day. "We are incredibly grateful for the special relationship we had with Olivia for many years. Her generous support and gift provided hope and changed the lives of thousands of cancer patients... She was the light at the end of the tunnel for many, many people," the statement added.
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.
โ George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) 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.
โ Mia Farrow๐บ๐ฆ (@MiaFarrow) August 8, 2022
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
โ Melissa Etheridge (@metheridge) 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 ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ https://t.co/1M8lcVQuON
โ Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) August 8, 2022
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 ๐ฅฒ๐๐พโฅ๏ธ
โ Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) August 8, 2022