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John Travolta Transforms Into Danny Zuko From ‘Grease,’ 47 Years Later

The 71-year-old actor went back in time for a recent event


john travolta in a collage with an image of his character from 'Grease'
Actor John Travolta, left, recently dressing up as his character Danny Zuko to the surprise of "Grease" fans at a recent appearence.
AARP (Paramount Pictures/Everett Collection; Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)

Turns out, he’s still the one that they want.

Hollywood icon John Travolta surprised fans recently by appearing as one of his most beloved characters, Danny Zuko, from the 1978 classic film Grease.

During a “Grease Sing-A-Long” event at the Hollywood Bowl in California, Travolta, 71, playfully strutted onstage dressed as the mischievous heartthrob.

He was then accompanied by fellow costars Didi Conn (Frenchy Facciano), Barry Pearl (Doody), Michael Tucci (Sonny LaTierri) and Kelly Ward (Putzie) and Grease director Randal Kleiser.

Travolta screamed, “L.A.” to the roaring crowd before reciting the classic movie lines “I thought you were going back to Australia? That’s cool, that’s cool, baby. You know, rockin’ and rollin’ and whatnot.”

john travolta on stage with other 'grease' cast members
Travolta as Danny Zuko from "Grease," during an appearance at a sing-along.
johntravolta/Instagram

These lines were made famous by Travolta after Danny tried to play it cool when his Australian love interest, Sandy Olsson (played by the late pop icon Olivia Newton-John), surprised him while he was hanging out with his close buddies. Newton-John passed away on August 8, 2022.

As the crowd continued to reach fever pitch, Travolta and his costars had fans sing the memorable lyric “A-womp-bop-a-looma-a-womp-bam-boom,” from the upbeat tune “We Go Together” featured in the film.

The Pulp Fiction star shared the cool moment on Instagram, along with a picture of him in full Danny Zuko form. This version of Danny has traded in his signature jet-black hair for a sandy brown color and a few noticeable grays in his 5 o’clock shadow.

“Tonight at the Hollywood Bowl, for the first time I surprised everyone at the Grease Sing-A-Long and dressed up as Danny Zuko,” Travolta said. “No one knew. Not even the cast. Thank you for a great evening.”

john travolta and olivia newton-john
Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in 1978's "Grease."
Everett Collection

Many of Travolta’s over-50 entertainment pals got a kick out of the fun gesture, with actress Michelle Pfeiffer, 67, saying, “Oh wish I were there,” and actor Josh Lucas, 54, replying, “Goosebumps!”

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