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Grease has become a legendary movie musical over the years — a classic with several hit tunes, as well as an unparalleled fan base who have memorized the words to every single one of them. And, just as viewers have fun bopping along with “You’re the One That I Want” and patronizing each other with Rizzo’s “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” those involved in the production had some fun of their own behind the scenes. 

Grease
American actor John Travolta during the ‘Greased Lightning’ scene from the film, ‘Grease’, 1978 | Paramount Pictures/Fotos International/Getty Images

During an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Stockard Channing (Rizzo) sat down to discuss the film, revealing a few behind-the-scenes secrets. She noted that Jeff Conaway (Kenickie) was the “horniest” of the sexed-up teens in real life. She said that his “trailer would be rocking at lunchtime.” Yet, between behind-the-scenes romantic encounters and friendly interactions between the primary cast members, not everyone was included. Similar to Grease itself, there seemed to be an “in crowd” off-camera as well, according to MsMojo. 

Patty Simcox, Susan Buckner, and ‘Grease’

In Grease, Susan Buckner portrayed Patty Simcox — the goodie-two-shoes with a tendency for judging other women in a condescending and superior manner. She was a cheerleader and an A+ student — a prime candidate for teasing. Simcox was the butt of most Pink Lady and T-Bird jokes. She was pranked many times in the film; Kenickie even put a frog in her backpack during Biology class. 

And, according to MsMojo, her behind-the-scenes relationship with the cast members wasn’t much better. Though she may not have been as overtly teased, she was reportedly left out of a great deal of the fun and games. MsMojo stated:

“Within the world of the movie, it made sense for poor Patty to be picked on and excluded, given the high school atmosphere. But, Buckner reported that she was treated similarly behind-the-scenes. She later shared that the cast and crew often excluded her from the off-camera fun, and didn’t see this behavior as a problem, making her memories of the filming less than nostalgic.” 

MsMojo
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What else was Susan Buckner in, besides ‘Grease?’

Grease is arguably Susan Buckner’s most memorable role, as her career didn’t necessarily skyrocket following the film. Thus, it’s quite unfortunate that her experience was fraught with such negative occurrences. 

Buckner later starred in 1981’s Deadly Blessing and 1989’s Police Academy 6: City Under Siege. The actor also appeared in When the Whistle Blows, The Love Boat, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. She also portrayed Jean Harlow in 1977’s The Amazing Howard Hughes. 

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