Susan Buckner, renowned for her role as Patty Simcox, the cheerful yet often teased cheerleader from Rydell High, in the 1978 blockbuster musical “Grease,” has passed away at the age of 72.
Her death was confirmed by family spokesperson Melissa Berthier on Thursday in Miami, although no cause was disclosed. Beyond her iconic role in “Grease,” Buckner showcased her talent across various platforms.
She portrayed Hollywood starlet Jean Harlow alongside Tommy Lee Jones in the 1977 CBS telefilm “The Amazing Howard Hughes” and was part of the dancers/synchronized swimmers known as the Kroffettes on “The Brady Bunch Hour.”
Additionally, she starred opposite Sharon Stone in Wes Craven’s “Deadly Blessing”. In “Grease,” directed by Randal Kleiser, Buckner’s character Patty encourages Olivia Newton-John’s Sandy Olsson to join the cheerleading squad.
She appeared in various television shows, including “Police Woman,” “Switch,” “Starsky and Hutch,” and “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries,”. Her film credits include “The First Nudie Musical”and “Police Academy 6: City Under Siege”.
Following her Hollywood career, Buckner shifted her focus to raising her family, directing kids’ theater, and teaching dance. She is survived by her children, Adam and Samantha, grandchildren Oliver, Riley, Abigail, and Ruby, sister Linda, daughter-in-law Noel, son-in-law Adam, and her longtime partner, Al.
Donations in her memory can be made to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami. Buckner’s early career included appearances as a Golddiggers dancer and sketch performer on NBC’s “The Dean Martin Show” in 1973, which led to her involvement in the all-girl group Fantasy and the musical duo Buckner & Pratt.
