Susan Buckner dead: ‘Grease’ actor was 72

Susan Buckner, an American actor best known for her role as Patty Simcox in the 1978 musical “Grease,” died on May 2. She was 72. Her death was confirmed by her publicist.

At the age of 25, Buckner was cast in the role of the Rydell High cheerleader, joining a cast that included John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. As Simcox, Buckner played a soldier of school spirit, with an iconic cheer in the fans’ minds: “Do the splits, give a whoop! Show some wit for old Rydell! Well done, red and white! Go Rydell, fight, fight, fight!’

Buckner continued to work as an actor with guest credits on several television shows, including “The Love Boat,” “BJ and the Bear” and “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries.” She co-starred in the ABC series ‘When the Whistle Blows’. Among other notable feature film credits, Buckner appeared in Wes Craven’s 1981 horror film ‘Deadly Blessing’ opposite Sharon Stone, as well as the 1989 comedy sequel ‘Police Academy 6: City Under Siege’.

Buckner spent the latter part of her life teaching, directing several children’s theater productions at Pinecrest Elementary School and teaching dance classes at the Body and Soul Gym in Coral Gables, Florida.

Born January 28, 1952, in Seattle, Washington, Buckner was a decorated beauty queen, crowned Miss Washington in 1971 and representing the state in the Miss America pageant the following year. She later became part of Dean Martin’s Golddiggers and joined the girl group Fantasy and formed her own music duo, Buckner and Pratt. Buckner also appeared as a dancer on shows such as ‘The Mac Davis Show’, ‘Sonny and Cher’ and the ‘Telly Savalas Live Touring Show’, and also appeared as a synchronized swimmer on ‘The Brady Bunch Variety Hour’.

Buckner is survived by her two children, son Adam Josephs and daughter Samantha Mansfield; her four grandchildren; her sister, Linda; her daughter-in-law and son-in-law; and her longtime partner, Al.