Adam Josephs, the son of Susan Buckner, the best-known cheerleader from Grease, told Entertainment Weekly that her mother passed away on May 2. She was seventy-two. According to family spokesperson Melissa Berthier, she “died peacefully,” “surrounded by loved ones,” and told EW. There was no given cause of death.
Prior to being well-known as a vivacious cheerleader at Rydell High, Buckner competed as Miss Washington in 1971 and represented her state in the Miss America pageant the following year.
She was able to join The Golddiggers, an all-female singing and dancing group that performed on The Dean Martin Show, thanks to her celebrity. In addition, she had appearances on television programs such as The Mac Davis Show, Sonny and Cher, the Telly Savalas Live Touring Show, and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, where she performed in two episodes as a synchronized swimmer and dancer.
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Notwithstanding her numerous appearances and performances, it was her performance in the legendary 1978 musical Grease, which she frequently discussed on social media, that propelled her into the attention of millions.
The customary applause—”Perform the splits and shout! Exhibit some zeal for the elderly Rydell! Splendid effort, red and white! “Go Rydell, fight, fight, fight!”—alongside the late Olivia Newton-John—gave her an unforgettable moment.
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Buckner continued acting into the 1980s, making appearances on The Love Boat, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, B.J. and the Bear, and ten episodes of When the Whistle Blows, despite Simcox being her most recognizable portrayal. She also appeared alongside Sharon Stone in Wes Craven’s Deadly Blessing and in 1989’s Police Academy 6: City Under Siege, in which she played her final role.
She subsequently retired from acting to devote more time to her family. However, Buckner persisted in her ardor for the arts by instructing dance in Coral Gables and theater at an elementary school in Florida.
Sister Linda, son-in-law Adam Mansfield, daughter Samantha Mansfield, grandchildren Oliver, Riley, Abigail, and Ruby, daughter-in-law Noel Josephs, and longstanding partner Al also survive her. The family has requested that donations be made to the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami as an alternative to flowers in remembrance of Buckner.
