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Olivia Newton-John has been a luminous screen presence ever since her cinematic debut more than five decades ago. From then on, the Grammy-winning actor and musician flitted effortlessly from sweeping high-school romances to surreal fantasy epics and side-splitting comedies, imbuing every one of her projects with her signature warmth, charm, and refreshing naturalism.
As the industry continues to mourn her passing on August 8, at the age of 73, we revisit her five most memorable performances.
Funny Things Happen Down Under (1965)
It’s a revelation to see the future stalwart hitting high notes at the age of 16 in Joe McCormick’s chirpy musical following an enterprising group of kids who band together to save their clubhouse when it’s in danger of being sold. Despite it being her very first film, Newton-John is radiant and assured—and her star power is evident throughout.
Grease (1978)
Sandy, the sugary-sweet Australian export who makes John Travolta’s Danny Zuko change his ways—before surprising him with the movie makeover to end all movie makeovers—remains the actor’s most indelible creation. It’s worth rewatching Randal Kleiser’s classic for her iconic wardrobe (hairbands and twin sets, before the arrival of the spray-on leather trousers), as well as her equally delightful duets and solos, from “Summer Nights” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You” to the showstopping “You’re the One That I Want.”
How to watch: Stream on Paramount+, Amazon, iTunes, or YouTube.
Xanadu (1980)
A mind-bending, disco-era melodrama about a struggling artist (Michael Beck) who falls for an enigmatic roller skater (Newton-John) who also happens to be the Greek goddess of dance, Robert Greenwald’s campy extravaganza is now a certified cult classic. Look out for a toe-tapping rendition of “Magic,” retina-searing costumes, and Gene Kelly in his final big-screen role as a bandleader-turned-construction mogul.
How to watch: Stream on Amazon, Apple TV, or YouTube.
Two of a Kind (1983)
Newton-John and Travolta reunite in John Herzfeld’s splashy crime caper, which tracks the latter as a streetwise inventor pursued by loan sharks and the former as the bank teller he attempts to rob. Cue a madcap love story complete with double-crossing, raucous set pieces, a fizzy soundtrack and, predictably, plenty of chemistry.
Sordid Lives (2000)
With a shaggy bob, tattoos, a smoky eye, and uniform of low-cut crop tops paired with cheetah-print cowboy hats, the actor is almost unrecognizable in Del Shores’s overblown comedy, centered on a funeral which morphs into a reunion for a high-spirited and dysfunctional Texan clan. Alongside the likes of Beth Grant, Leslie Jordan, and Bonnie Bedelia, Newton-John delivers big laughs and a definitive answer to those who doubt her range.
How to watch: Stream on Hulu, Amazon, or Apple TV.
