John Travolta posts heartfelt tribute to Olivia Newton-John: 'Yours from the moment I saw you'

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 everything—it 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."

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.