After battling health issues, suffering heartbreak and losing both her mother and sister to cancer, Olivia Newton-John opened up to People last fall about soldiering through tragedy and getting to “the best time” of her life.
But on Tuesday, the entertainer, 68, revealed she’s been dealt another blow: After postponing her tour earlier this month because of severe back pain, she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer that has metastasized to the sacrum. “She plans to be touring in August. They’re all very positive,” a source close to the Grammy winner told People on Tuesday about Newton-John and her family.
But on Tuesday, the entertainer, 68, revealed she’s been dealt another blow: After postponing her tour earlier this month because of severe back pain, she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer that has metastasized to the sacrum. “She plans to be touring in August. They’re all very positive,” a source close to the Grammy winner told People on Tuesday about Newton-John and her family.
- 5/30/2017
- by Melody Chiu
- PEOPLE.com
Olivia Newton-John's sister Rona Newton-John has died. The 64-year-old actress' older sibling passed away on May 24 in Los Angeles surrounded by her family and friends after losing her battle with the disease. Poignantly, the date of Rona's death would have been May 25 in Australia - where the family lived after emigrating from the UK when Olivia was six - the same date as their mother Irene. In a post on her Facebook page, Olivia revealed: ''My beautiful sister Rona sadly passed on May 24th in Los Angeles. It was May 25th in Australia - which was our mother Irene's birthday. ''Rona died...
- 5/30/2013
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Olivia Newton-John's older sister Rona Newton-John has passed away after a battle with breast cancer.
Rona died on what would be May 25th in Australia -- which was their mother Irene's birthday.
Video: How Star-Studded Fundraiser Helps Cancer Patients
"My beautiful sister Rona sadly passed on May 24th in Los Angeles," Olivia wrote on her Facebook. "Rona died of a very aggressive brain tumor and mercifully suffered no pain. She was surrounded by the love of her four children – Fiona, Brett, Tottie and Emerson, and her wonderful friends. I will miss her forever – my beautiful, smart, talented, funny, brave sister Rona."
Rona, who's six years older than Olivia, 64, was also an actress. Olivia suffered her own cancer battle -- breast cancer -- in the early 1990s. She has since been free of the disease after undergoing treatment and a mastectomy.
Related: Olivia Newton-John Reveals Her Sister's Cancer Battle
Olivia, who postponed...
Rona died on what would be May 25th in Australia -- which was their mother Irene's birthday.
Video: How Star-Studded Fundraiser Helps Cancer Patients
"My beautiful sister Rona sadly passed on May 24th in Los Angeles," Olivia wrote on her Facebook. "Rona died of a very aggressive brain tumor and mercifully suffered no pain. She was surrounded by the love of her four children – Fiona, Brett, Tottie and Emerson, and her wonderful friends. I will miss her forever – my beautiful, smart, talented, funny, brave sister Rona."
Rona, who's six years older than Olivia, 64, was also an actress. Olivia suffered her own cancer battle -- breast cancer -- in the early 1990s. She has since been free of the disease after undergoing treatment and a mastectomy.
Related: Olivia Newton-John Reveals Her Sister's Cancer Battle
Olivia, who postponed...
- 5/30/2013
- Entertainment Tonight
Olivia Newton-John, who became an advocate for breast cancer research after she was diagnosed with it two decades ago and underwent a double mastectomy, has revealed that her sister Rona Newton-John (above, left) passed away last Friday (May 24) from brain cancer.
Rona was diagnosed just a few weeks ago, causing Olivia to postpone her Las Vegas show so the sisters could spend time together.
Olivia writes on Facebook:
My beautiful sister Rona sadly passed on May 24th in Los Angeles. It was May 25th in Australia - which was our mother Irene's birthday. Rona died of a very aggressive brain tumor and mercifully suffered no pain. She was surrounded by the love of her four children - Fiona, Brett,Tottie and Emerson and, her wonderful friends. I will miss her forever - my beautiful, smart, talented, funny, brave sister Rona.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to...
Rona was diagnosed just a few weeks ago, causing Olivia to postpone her Las Vegas show so the sisters could spend time together.
Olivia writes on Facebook:
My beautiful sister Rona sadly passed on May 24th in Los Angeles. It was May 25th in Australia - which was our mother Irene's birthday. Rona died of a very aggressive brain tumor and mercifully suffered no pain. She was surrounded by the love of her four children - Fiona, Brett,Tottie and Emerson and, her wonderful friends. I will miss her forever - my beautiful, smart, talented, funny, brave sister Rona.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to...
- 5/30/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Sad news for Olivia Newton-John's family. The Grease star's older sister, Rona Newton-John, died Friday at age 70 after battling an aggressive brain tumor she was just diagnosed with last month. Olivia, who is a breast-cancer survivor, confirmed the news on her Facebook page Wednesday. "My beautiful sister Rona sadly passed on May 24th in Los Angeles. It was May 25th in Australia - which was our mother Irene's birthday," she wrote. "Rona died of a very aggressive brain tumor and mercifully suffered no pain. She was surrounded by the love of her four children - Fiona, Brett, Tottie and Emerson, and her wonderful friends," she continued. "I will miss her forever - my...
- 5/30/2013
- E! Online
Olivia Newton-John's beloved older sister, Rona Newton-John, has died after a battle with brain cancer. "My beautiful sister Rona sadly passed on May 24th in Los Angeles. It was May 25th in Australia - which was our mother Irene's birthday," Olivia, 64, wrote on Facebook. She adds: "Rona died of a very aggressive brain tumor and mercifully suffered no pain. She was surrounded by the love of her four children - Fiona, Brett, Tottie and Emerson, and her wonderful friends. I will miss her forever - my beautiful, smart, talented, funny, brave sister Rona." The Grease star, who beat breast...
- 5/30/2013
- by Tim Nudd
- PEOPLE.com
Olivia Newton-John is mourning the loss of her older sister, Rona Newton-John, who lost her battle with brain cancer at age 70 earlier this week. The Grease actress made the announcement via her Facebook page on Wednesday, May 29. "My beautiful sister Rona sadly passed on May 24 in Los Angeles. It was May 25 in Australia -- which was our mother Irene's birthday," Olivia, 64, wrote. "Rona died of a very aggressive brain tumor and mercifully suffered no pain. She was surrounded by the love of [...]...
- 5/30/2013
- Us Weekly
Olivia Newton-John has postponed her residency in Las Vegas because her sister has cancer. The 64-year-old Australian singer and actress opted to cancel her upcoming series of concerts at the Flamingo Casino, which were due to kickoff at the start of the summer, in order to spend time supporting her older sister Rona Newton-John, who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour. The 'Grease' star told 'Entertainment Tonight' she was sorry to have to share 'the very sad news' and said: 'I have decided to postpone my forthcoming Las Vegas residency to spend time with her and our family.' Olivia, who defeated breast cancer 20 years ago, also added: 'As a cancer 'thriver' myself, as many people are, I am...
- 4/23/2013
- Monsters and Critics
Olivia Newton-John has postponed her residency in Las Vegas because her sister has cancer. The 64-year-old Australian singer and actress opted to cancel her upcoming series of concerts at the Flamingo Casino, which were due to kickoff at the start of the summer, in order to spend time supporting her older sister Rona Newton-John, who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour. The 'Grease' star told 'Entertainment Tonight' she was sorry to have to share ''the very sad news'' and said: ''I have decided to postpone my forthcoming Las Vegas residency to spend time with her and our family.'' Olivia, who defeated breast...
- 4/23/2013
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Olivia Newton-John, who successfully battled breast cancer in the '90s, has revealed the painful news that her older sister Rona Newton-John has now been diagnosed with brain cancer. "As a cancer 'thriver' myself, as many people are, I am very aware of the importance of love, support and family during this journey she is about to begin," the singer-actress, 64, tells Entertainment Tonight. "I want to thank everyone in advance for respecting our privacy during this difficult time." The Grease star was scheduled to appear at the Las Vegas Flamingo Hotel but has postponed her engagement to be with her family in Los Angeles.
- 4/23/2013
- by Stephen M. Silverman
- PEOPLE.com
The residents and tourists of Las Vegas will have to wait a little while longer for Australian songstress Olivia Newton-John. The singer has revealed in a statement that her sister Rona, pictured above, left, with Olivia in 2001, has been diagnosed with brain cancer.
The statement reads:
I received the very sad news that my beautiful sister, Rona Newton-John, has been diagnosed with brain cancer. In light of this news, I have decided to postpone my forthcoming Las Vegas residency to spend time with her and our family. As a cancer 'thriver' myself, as many people are, I am very aware of the importance of love, support and family during this journey she is about to begin. I want to thank everyone in advance for respecting our privacy during this difficult time.
Olivia was famously diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, undergoing a mastectomy and becoming an advocate for breast cancer research and self-examination.
The statement reads:
I received the very sad news that my beautiful sister, Rona Newton-John, has been diagnosed with brain cancer. In light of this news, I have decided to postpone my forthcoming Las Vegas residency to spend time with her and our family. As a cancer 'thriver' myself, as many people are, I am very aware of the importance of love, support and family during this journey she is about to begin. I want to thank everyone in advance for respecting our privacy during this difficult time.
Olivia was famously diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, undergoing a mastectomy and becoming an advocate for breast cancer research and self-examination.
- 4/23/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Actor best known as John Travolta's sidekick Kenickie in Grease, and Bobby Wheeler in the Us sitcom Taxi
In the late 1970s and early 80s, Taxi was one of the best American sitcoms. It won 18 Emmy awards and its stars, among them Jeff Conaway, who has died in hospital aged 60, became household names. Conaway played the narcissistic, "resting" actor Bobby Wheeler, one of the characters working for the Sunshine cab company, all hoping for better jobs to turn up. In a way, the role mirrored Conaway's own struggle for greater recognition as an actor, which was not helped by his having been addicted to alcohol, cocaine and analgesics since he was a teenager.
In Taxi, the handsome Conaway , sporting the feathered hairstyle popular in the 1970s, had to compete with more fascinating characters in the avuncular Alex Reiger (Judd Hirsch), obnoxious Louie De Palma (Danny DeVito), sexy divorcee Elaine...
In the late 1970s and early 80s, Taxi was one of the best American sitcoms. It won 18 Emmy awards and its stars, among them Jeff Conaway, who has died in hospital aged 60, became household names. Conaway played the narcissistic, "resting" actor Bobby Wheeler, one of the characters working for the Sunshine cab company, all hoping for better jobs to turn up. In a way, the role mirrored Conaway's own struggle for greater recognition as an actor, which was not helped by his having been addicted to alcohol, cocaine and analgesics since he was a teenager.
In Taxi, the handsome Conaway , sporting the feathered hairstyle popular in the 1970s, had to compete with more fascinating characters in the avuncular Alex Reiger (Judd Hirsch), obnoxious Louie De Palma (Danny DeVito), sexy divorcee Elaine...
- 5/29/2011
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Los Angeles — Jeff Conaway, who starred in the sitcom "Taxi," played swaggering Kenickie in the movie musical "Grease" and publicly battled drug and alcohol addiction on "Celebrity Rehab," died Friday. He was 60.
The actor was taken off life support Thursday and died Friday morning at Encino Tarzana Medical Center, according to one of his managers, Kathryn Boole.
"It's sad that people remember his struggle with drugs. ... He has touched so many people," she said, calling Conaway a kind and intelligent man who was well read and "always so interesting to talk to. We respected him as an artist and loved him as a friend."
"He was trying so hard to get clean and sober," Boole added. "If it hadn't been for his back pain, I think he would have been able to do it."
Family members, including Conway's sisters, nieces and nephews, and his minister, were with him when he died,...
The actor was taken off life support Thursday and died Friday morning at Encino Tarzana Medical Center, according to one of his managers, Kathryn Boole.
"It's sad that people remember his struggle with drugs. ... He has touched so many people," she said, calling Conaway a kind and intelligent man who was well read and "always so interesting to talk to. We respected him as an artist and loved him as a friend."
"He was trying so hard to get clean and sober," Boole added. "If it hadn't been for his back pain, I think he would have been able to do it."
Family members, including Conway's sisters, nieces and nephews, and his minister, were with him when he died,...
- 5/28/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Jeff Conaway, the long-troubled actor from Grease and TV's Taxi who waged a public battle with cocaine, painkillers and alcohol, died Friday at age 60. The Celebrity Rehab alum had been in a medically induced coma in critical condition after he was found unconscious earlier this month. "Our beloved client Jeff Conaway passed away at 10:30 a.m.," his manager, Phil Brock, Tweeted. "We loved him as a person, respected him as an artist and he will be always remembered."Dr. Drew Pinsky, who had seen Conaway during the recent hospitalization, said the actor had suffered pneumonia and the effects of too much prescription medication.
- 5/27/2011
- by Stephen M. Silverman
- PEOPLE.com
So sad! Jeff Conaway’s family confirmed the ‘Taxi’ and ‘Grease’ actor died today in La after being found unconscious at his home on May 18
Actor Jeff Conaway—who recently appeared on Celebrity Rehab to battle his addiction to cocaine, painkillers and alcohol— passed away today in La, after falling into a coma. He was 60.
The actor’s family decided on Thursday to turn off the life support machine that he had been clinging to since being hospitalized May 18, after he was found unconscious in his San Fernando Valley home. It was initially reported that Conaway had pneumonia, but as the days progresses his failed to wake up, and his conditioned worsened.
Although Conaway had reportedly battled addictions since the 1980s, his rep told People that “the use of painkillers and prescription drugs”–not an overdose–led to Conaway being found unconscious in his home.
A native New Yorker, Conaway...
Actor Jeff Conaway—who recently appeared on Celebrity Rehab to battle his addiction to cocaine, painkillers and alcohol— passed away today in La, after falling into a coma. He was 60.
The actor’s family decided on Thursday to turn off the life support machine that he had been clinging to since being hospitalized May 18, after he was found unconscious in his San Fernando Valley home. It was initially reported that Conaway had pneumonia, but as the days progresses his failed to wake up, and his conditioned worsened.
Although Conaway had reportedly battled addictions since the 1980s, his rep told People that “the use of painkillers and prescription drugs”–not an overdose–led to Conaway being found unconscious in his home.
A native New Yorker, Conaway...
- 5/27/2011
- by HL Intern
- HollywoodLife
Los Angeles, CA, United States (Ahn Entertainment) - Jeff Conaway, best known for his roles as Bobby Wheeler on "Taxi" and Kenickie in the classic musical "Grease," died Friday at the age of 60.
According to RadarOnline.com, Conaway passed Friday after being hospitalized for weeks. The actor, who checked into an La hospital May 11th, was reportedly being taken off life support.
Conaway had no brain activity and had his feeding tube removed on Thursday. A source told Radar that Jeff was "in no pain whatsoever."
Conaway had a history of problems with substance abuse, even appearing on Dr. Drew's "Celebrity Rehab" show for VH1 back in 2008. He married twice, including Rona Newton John, sister of "Grease" co-star Olivia Newton John, and later Michele Conaway. He had no children.
According to RadarOnline.com, Conaway passed Friday after being hospitalized for weeks. The actor, who checked into an La hospital May 11th, was reportedly being taken off life support.
Conaway had no brain activity and had his feeding tube removed on Thursday. A source told Radar that Jeff was "in no pain whatsoever."
Conaway had a history of problems with substance abuse, even appearing on Dr. Drew's "Celebrity Rehab" show for VH1 back in 2008. He married twice, including Rona Newton John, sister of "Grease" co-star Olivia Newton John, and later Michele Conaway. He had no children.
- 5/27/2011
- icelebz.com
"Grease" and "Taxi" star Jeff Conaway is set to be taken off of life support, reports RadarOnline. The actor, who has long struggled with drug addiction, was found unconscious on May 11 as a result of pneumonia exacerbated by substance abuse. He was put into an induced coma, struggling with sepsis, and has been on a ventilator and a feeding tube since.
"Doctors advised the family that Jeff has had no brain function since he was brought into the hospital," says a source close to the family. "The feeding tube has already been removed. The ventilator which is breathing for Jeff, will be removed sometime this afternoon. No measures will be made to try and revive him once the breathing tube is removed."
Dr. Drew Pinsky, who treated Conaway on "Celebrity Rehab," visited Conaway in the hospital. While his initial reports were hopeful, saying that Conaway would likely recover, he posted on May 21, "yes,...
"Doctors advised the family that Jeff has had no brain function since he was brought into the hospital," says a source close to the family. "The feeding tube has already been removed. The ventilator which is breathing for Jeff, will be removed sometime this afternoon. No measures will be made to try and revive him once the breathing tube is removed."
Dr. Drew Pinsky, who treated Conaway on "Celebrity Rehab," visited Conaway in the hospital. While his initial reports were hopeful, saying that Conaway would likely recover, he posted on May 21, "yes,...
- 5/26/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
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