Why did Sandy change for Danny? What is the story behind the movie Grease? Why did Marty not dance in Grease? What year did the movie Grease come out?

You'll never guess who turned down the role of Danny — and now regrets it!

Whether you first fell in love with John Travolta‘s hunky character, Danny Zuko, or the innocence and radiance of the late Olivia Newton-John‘s alter ego, Sandy Olssen, there’s no doubt Grease is one of the most iconic films in cinematic history — and although you’ve probably watched the movie countless times, we’ve discovered a plethora of juicy behind-the-scenes gossip that would shock and delight even the biggest fans.

For instance, did you know that director Randal Kleiser wasn’t sure about Newton-John playing the role of Sandy? “I knew she was perfect for conservative Sandy,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald, “But I was privately worried that she wouldn’t be able to pull the transformation off. But of course, I didn’t need to worry.”

Kleiser also dished on the incredible chemistry Newton-John had with John Travolta on the set of Grease behind-the-scenes. “They met for the first time during a screen test, Olivia was very nervous, and by that point, John and I were really wanting her for the part,” Kleiser recalled. “We tried so hard to make her comfortable, John treated her more like a little sister, and you could tell they had this connection from the get-go; they would laugh at jokes the rest of us weren’t in on or just share a look and understand each other; it was wonderful to watch.”

(Click through to see John Travolta get emotional at the Oscars in 2023 when remembering Olivia Newton-John.)

Ready to take a nostalgic journey and learn more about what went on on the set of Grease behind the scenes? Here are some of the biggest surprises that happened when the cameras weren’t rolling!

Grease behind the scenes secrets

Marty had no moves

Dinah Manoff recreates her role as Marty in the 1978 musical film 'Grease' 20 years later Maureen Donaldson/Getty Images Ever notice that Marty was missing from the big dance number at the high school prom? Apparently, actress Dinah Manoff was such a bad dancer in real life that the directors left her character, Marty, out of the scene entirely! She also didn't get to be a part of all the hand-jiving — it looked like so much fun!

Olivia Newton-John had a very difficult wardrobe change

John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, 'Grease', 1978 Paramount Pictures/Fotos International/Getty Images Audiences may have fawned over Sandy's rocking '50s-inspired outfit at the end of the movie, but we're pretty sure Olivia Newton-John wasn't nearly so enthusiastic about her ensemble. Apparently, the actress' black leather pants were so tight that she had to be sewn in and ripped out of them at the start and end of each day of filming. What a testament to the old adage, "Beauty is pain!" (Speaking of iconic wardrobes, read about how the jackets the Pink ladies wore in Grease are making a comeback!)

Henry Winkler turned down the role of Danny

Henry Winkler as Fonzie in 'Happy Days', 1977 Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images That's right! Fonzie himself was set to play the beloved role of Danny Zuko, but decided against it so as not to be typecast. Henry Winkler, who has a new memoir out on October 31, 2023 called Being Henry: The Fonz…and Beyond, admitted, "But you’re typecast  anyway. And it’s not now that I’m, like, 'Oh, I should’ve done the role.' It’s that I turned it down intellectually instead of instinctually," he told AARP Magazine. "Listen to your gut — it knows everything. Your head knows only some things. So I went home and had an orange juice. Travolta went home and bought a plane" Winkler joked. 

Rizzo's hickeys weren't done with makeup

Stockard Channing as Rizzo in 'Grease', 1978 R/R Actress Stockard Channing has admitted that Rizzo's hickeys in the movie were real — and Jeff Conaway, who played Kenickie, actually gave them to her.

Jeff Conaway began battling addiction during filming

Jeff Conaway pictured in 1978 and 2008 Getty Images This is the movie when Conaway, who was prescribed painkillers after he fell during filming, first developed his well-known drug problem. He sadly died of his addictions in 2011.

Annette Charles had a major health emergency

Annette Charles, 'Grease', 1978 R/R Annette Charles, who played Cha Cha, suffered from an ectopic pregnancy during filming. After taping the drag race scene, she had emergency surgery that very night.

A quick cover-up

Jamie Donnelly, 'Grease', 1978 R/R Actress Jamie Donnelly, who played Jan, had noticeably gray hair at the time of filming (she was 30-years-old) and had to dye her hair to look a lot younger.

Elvis was offered a role in the film

Elvis Presley in 1966 and Frankie Avalon in 'Grease', 1978 Getty, R/R Elvis was offered the part of the Teen Angel, but he turned it down. Frankie Avalon later stepped into the featured role.

Elvis still received a shout-out in the film.

Stockard Channing as Rizzo in 'Grease', 1978 R/R Elvis does get a mention in the movie, though — the nod to him in the song "Sandra Dee," was added at the last minute on the day that Elvis died (August 16, 1977).

Kenickie's big moment goes to Travolta

John Travolta leads the cast of 'Grease' during the musical number, 'Greased Lightnin'' Getty Images "Greased Lightnin'" was supposed to be Kenickie's big scene, but John Travolta asked the director to make it his song instead. Actor Jeff Conaway first complained bitterly, then relented. (Read more about how Travolta wasn't supposed to sing 'Greased Lightnin'", and see the cast then and now) 

The famed carnival scene had to be re-worked

The cast of 'Grease' during the carnival scene, 1978 Getty Images Fake out! The carnival scene on the last day of school was filmed at a real carnival that closed before the actors were done, so set designers had to recreate some of the carnival's features.

Sandy's beloved ballad wins big

Olivia Newton-John performs 'Hopelessly Devoted to You' in 'Grease', 1978 R/R Though Grease was the top-grossing movie of 1978, it received only one Oscar nod for the song "Hopelessly Devoted to You" — a song that was randomly added long after filming wrapped.

Carrie Fisher almost played the role of Sandy

Carrie Fisher (left) and Olivia Newton-John in 'Grease', 1978 (right) Getty, R/R Actress Carrie Fisher was originally up for the role of high-schooler Sandy, which later went to Olivia Newton-John — who was 28 at the time! But Fisher went on to be the lead in Star Wars…also a good choice.