‘Grease’ Actress Susan Buckner, Who Played Cheerleader Patty Simcox, Dies At 72

• Susan Buckner died on May 2 at the age of 72.
• No formal cause of death has yet been shared.
• Buckner was a beauty pageant queen and played Patty Simcox in ‘Grease.’

On May 2, Susan Buckner passed away. She was 72 years old when she died, comfortable amongst loved ones, according to Melissa Berthier, a publicist for the family. By time of writing, no formal cause of death has been identified.

An actress who quietly and comfortably withdrew from the Hollywood limelight less than a decade into her career, Buckner was famous for playing the cheerleader Patty Simcox, a friend to Sandy, in 1978’s Grease. She was also a pageant queen, who represented the state of Washington at Miss America in 1972.

Actress Susan Buckner passed away

“Susan died peacefully on May 2 surrounded by loved ones,” Berthier shared in a statement to PEOPLE. “The light she brought into every room will be missed forever. She was magic, and I was very lucky to call her my best friend.”

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Susan Buckner was born on January 28, 1952, in Seattle, Washington. Before becoming an actress, Buckner found success as a model, winning the title of Miss Washington in 1971. When she competed in the Miss America pageant the following year, Buckner placed among the top ten finalists and even tied for first in the swimsuit preliminary.

Cheering on a memorable talent

Buckner transitioned into acting, with much of her filmography comprised of supporting roles on stage and on the small and big screen. Her athleticism and graceful strength served Buckner well when she appeared in The Brady Bunch Variety Hour as one of The Krofftettes, who performed synchronized swim routines in the program.

But perhaps her most celebrated credit was that of cheerleader Patty Simcox in Grease. Like the rest of the cast, she was well beyond her high school years, and was in her mid-twenties when she performed the role. But she made it an irreplaceable part of the cultural phenomenon fans adore to this day.

After kicking off a career in the spotlight in ’76, Buckner transitioned into a quiet life outside of Hollywood by 1981. Her final television credit came from When the Whistle Blows, while in film, she last appeared in Deadly Blessing.

Buckner was residing in Miami Florida when she passed. She is survived by sister Linda, daughter Samantha Mansfield, son Adam Josephs, four grandchildren, and a brother and sister-in-law.

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