After all these years, there hasn’t been a more charismatic or relatable Rizzo than Stockard Channing. Her talent as an artist and her remarkable singing in Grease made her stand out. But now, at 80 years old, she looks almost unrecognizable.
The first movie I saw Channing in was called The Big Bus, and I found it hilarious. Little did I know that she would go on to have such an exceptional career.
Today, Stockard Channing is best known for her iconic portrayal of Betty Rizzo in Grease, where she was considered the best Rizzo of all time. Many also recognize her from the series The West Wing, where she played the role of First Lady Abbey Bartlet and had amazing chemistry with Martin Sheen, who played President Josiah Bartlet.
But let’s delve deeper into Channing’s career. Even though she hasn’t appeared in any major motion pictures since Grease, she has continued to act in films and on Broadway. She seems to be perfectly fine with being most remembered for her portrayal of bad girl Betty Rizzo. However, there is more to her career than meets the eye.
In 1973, Channing had a breakthrough with the TV-movie The Girl Most Likely to…, a black comedy about revenge. Surprisingly, she received a lot of attention for this movie and had many people stop her in the street. Revenge always works, she says.
Channing has only watched Grease twice, admitting that she used to be grumpy about it because she thought it was a kids’ movie. But now, she realizes how amazing it is and is very proud of her performance.
When Channing played Rizzo, she was actually much older than her character. But she threw herself back to her own adolescence, embracing the complexity of teenagers and their emotions. Her performance as Rizzo made her a top-ranking star in the late 1970s, earning her a People’s Choice Award.
Despite facing challenges in her career after Grease, Channing didn’t give up. She continued to work as an actress, appearing in highly-praised movies and stage plays. Her latest appearance on the big screen was in Angry Neighbors, which premiered in 2022.
In recent years, Channing has been involved in theater production in London, where she currently resides. She used to live in Maine with her partner of 25 years but moved to England in 2019. Living on her own during the pandemic, she shared in the experiences of the rest of the country.
On a personal level, Channing prefers to keep a low profile. She has been married and divorced four times and has no children. Her constant companion for several years has been her loyal dog.
In recent years, Channing’s changing appearance has caught attention. People speculated about plastic surgery, but it’s natural for a woman in her eighties to look different over the years. To me, Channing still embodies that “Rizzo” personality – cool and sexy!
Channing has always worked hard to stay in shape and defy stereotypes about women her age. She’s grateful to those who were raised on The Golden Girls and believes the world has changed since then.
Stockard Channing was absolutely amazing as Rizzo in Grease! We wish her all the best in the future!
