Olivia Newton-john
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Biography
English-born pop singer, raised in Australia, who charted with over two dozen hits between the early 1970s and mid-80s. Beginning with a series of easy-listening, often countrified songs such as "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)" and "Have You Never Been Mellow?," Newton-John broadened her range with her appearance in the hit film adaptation of the Broadway musical "Grease" in 1978. As the demure 50s teen turned sultry rocker, she gave a likable if modest performance, and enjoyed several big song hits, including the ballad "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and the punchy duet with John Travolta, "You're the One That I Want." Although her subsequent films, "Xanadu" (1980) and "Two of a Kind" (1983, again opposite Travolta), failed with both critics and public alike, she had big hit songs from both films and enjoyed the biggest musical hit of her career in 1981 with "Physical," the highest-selling single of the 1980s. Newton-John married actor/model Matt Lattanzi in 1985. In 1992, two weeks after her father had died from the disease, she was diagnosed with cancer, subsequently undergoing a partial mastectomy and breast reconstruction.
Filmography
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Producer (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Music (Special)
Life Events
1953
Moved to Australia with her family at age five
1961
Made stage acting debut in the Melbourne production of "Green Pastures"
1962
Formed short-lived all-girl band named Sol Four with three classmates
1964
Won talent contest on Australian program "Sing, Sing, Sing"; received a trip to England as the prize
1966
Recorded first single "Till You Say You'll Be Mine" for England's Decca Records
1966
First screen appearance, the Australian telefilm "Funny Things Happen Down Under"
1970
Made frequent appearances on Cliff Richard's weekly BBC show "It's Cliff Richard"
1970
Recruited for the British group Toomorrow; recorded an album and appeared in film vehicle named after the group
1971
Released first solo album <i>If Not For You</i> with title track written by Bob Dylan
1972
TV debut, opposite Cliff Richard in British TV movie "The Case"
1974
Moved to the U.S.
1976
Recorded <i>Don't Stop Believin'</i> in Nashville, TN
1978
Offered lead role opposite John Travolta in film adaptation of Broadway musical "Grease"; performed several songs on soundtrack; nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Actress in a Musical
1980
Played lead role in musical "Xanadu"; performed several songs on the films soundtrack, including "Magic"
1981
Released most successful studio album, the double platinum <i>Physical</i>
1983
Founded the Koala Blue clothing line with Pat Farrar; originally for Australian imports, but evolved into a chain of women's clothing boutiques; declared bankruptcy and closed in 1992
1983
Re-teamed with Travolta for the critically and commercially unsuccessful "Two of a Kind"
1988
After a three year hiatus to raise her daughter, released album <i>The Rumour</i>
1990
Starred in the NBC TV-movie "A Mom for Christmas"
1992
Produced six-minute video of celebrities urging President Bush to attend the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
1992
Released third hits collection <i>Back To Basics - The Essential Collection</i>; shortly after album's release, was diagnosed with breast cancer forcing her to cancel all publicity, including the tour
1994
Released <i>Gaia: One Woman's Journey</i>, which chronicled her ordeal with breast cancer
1994
Featured in the CBS TV-movie "A Christmas Romance"; daughter Chloe appeared as her on-screen daughter
1996
First film in over ten years, appeared in supporting role in AIDS drama "It's My Party"
1998
Returned to Nashville to record <i>Back With A Heart</i>
2000
Acted in "Sordid Lives," co-starring Beau Bridges; performed several songs on the soundtrack
2001
Once again co-starred opposite her daughter in the Showtime movie "The Wilde Girls"
2002
Released a duets album featuring mostly Australian artists
2008
Reprised role of Bitsy Mae Harling on Logo TV's "Sordid Lives: The Series"
2010
Guest starred on Fox's musical comedy "Glee"; recreated music video for her song "Physical" with Jane Lynch on episode titled "Bad Reputation"
2012
Reunited with "Grease" co-star John Travolta to record holiday album <i>This Christmas</i>
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