Actress Susan Buckner, known for her role as Patty Simcox in Grease, passes away | Entertainment and Arts Update
Grease star Susan Buckner, known for her role as cheerleader Patty Simcox in the iconic musical, has passed away at the age of 72.
The American actress peacefully passed on Thursday 2 May, surrounded by her loved ones, according to her publicist, Melissa Berthier.
No cause of death has been revealed at this time.
Buckner was most famous for her part in Grease, where she portrayed Patty Simcox, the cheerleading friend of Sandy – played by Olivia Newton-John.
One of her memorable moments in the film was when she delivered a spirited school cheer: “Do the splits, give a yell, show a little spirit for Old Rydell! Way to go, red and white, go Rydell, fight, fight, fight.”
Following her mother’s passing, Buckner’s daughter Samantha Mansfield shared: “She was magic. She was my best friend. And I will miss her every day.
“I was lucky I had such a lighting rod of a mother and now I have her as an angel.”
Born in Seattle, Buckner first rose to fame in the pageant world, winning the title of Miss Washington in 1971 and later representing the state at the Miss America competition in 1972.
She used her pageant experience to transition into the entertainment industry, joining the singing and dancing group The Golddiggers, which appeared on The Dean Martin Show.
She also made appearances on The Mac Davis Show, Sonny And Cher, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
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After her role in Grease in 1978, Buckner appeared in TV shows such as The Love Boat, BJ And The Bear, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, and When The Whistle Blows.
She also starred in the 1981 Wes Craven horror film Deadly Blessing alongside Sharon Stone, as well as in Police Academy 6: City Under Siege in 1989.
In later years, she stepped away from Hollywood to focus on being a mother to her children, Adam Josephs and Mrs. Mansfield.
She is survived by her grandchildren Oliver, Riley, Abigail, and Ruby, as well as her sister Linda, daughter-in-law Noel Josephs, son-in-law Adam Mansfield, and long-time partner Al.
