After all these years, there’s never been a more charismatic or relatable Rizzo than Stockard Channing. Although she’s now 80 years old, Channing looks almost unrecognizable compared to her iconic role. But that doesn’t change the fact that she was a great artist with fantastic singing talent in Grease, the 1978 American musical romantic comedy film based on the 1971 musical of the same name.
A Remarkable Career
Channing’s acting career extends beyond Grease. Many may also recognize her from the series The West Wing, where she portrayed First Lady Abbey Bartlet. Her instant chemistry with Martin Sheen, who played President Josiah Bartlet, delighted audiences.
“It just worked,” Channing revealed in a 2020 interview with Entertainment Weekly. “We had this chemistry from the beginning. I don’t know what it was, but we had it and it didn’t go away. It was a happy accident.”
The Highlight: Beth Rizzo
While Channing has continued to act in films and on Broadway, she is most remembered for her portrayal of bad girl Beth Rizzo, one of the Pink Ladies in Grease. But there’s more to her career than just that. Back in 1973, Channing had a breakthrough starring in the TV-movie The Girl Most Likely to…, a black comedy about revenge.
“A lot of people talk about Grease and all that,” Channing explained. “But back in the day, I had as many people stop me in the street about that one movie. Because it’s about revenge, and people would sit in their living rooms and go, ‘Oh, I’m the only person watching this’ or ‘this person understands me.’ I’m not kidding. It was a million years ago, and then it was the highest-rated movie of the week. Revenge always works.”
Channing’s portrayal of Rizzo was not without its challenges. She was 33 years old at the time, playing a high school teenager. But she embraced the complexity of adolescence, hormones, and sexuality to bring Rizzo to life.
Continuing to Thrive
Although Channing’s success after Grease didn’t quite match up, she never gave up. Despite facing setbacks with unsuccessful sitcoms, she persevered as an actress and appeared in many highly-praised movies and stage plays. Her most recent appearance on the big screen was in Angry Neighbors, which premiered in 2022.
But Channing has also found a new home in London, where she currently resides. Living on her own during the pandemic, she experienced the ride alongside the rest of the country.
While Channing’s look has garnered attention in recent years, it’s important to remember that aging is a natural part of life. She still exudes that cool and sexy “Rizzo” personality. In a 2011 interview with Out magazine, Channing shared that she does “everything I f—ing can” to stay in shape. She embraces her age and hopes that the world has changed since the days when people only had memories of their mothers or watched shows like The Golden Girls.
Stockard Channing will always hold a special place in our hearts for her amazing portrayal of Rizzo in Grease. Here’s to wishing her all the best in the future!
