In an unforgettable throwback moment, John Travolta stunned fans at a Grease sing-along event in Los Angeles by walking on stage dressed as his iconic character, Danny Zuko.
The 71-year-old actor, best known for portraying the smooth-talking T-Bird in the 1978 musical classic, made the surprise appearance during a special screening at the Hollywood Bowl—nearly five decades after the film’s original release.
Travolta shared a photo and video of the moment on Instagram, where he’s seen donning Zuko’s signature leather jacket and a tousled wig. “Tonight at the Hollywood Bowl, for the first time I surprised everyone at the Grease Sing-A-Long and dressed up as Danny Zuko. No one knew. Not even the cast. Thank you for a great evening,” he wrote.
The surprise was kept under tight wraps, even from fellow cast members. Director Randal Kleiser and original castmates Barry Pearl (Doody), Didi Conn (Frenchy), Kelly Ward (Putzie), and Michael Tucci (Sonny LaTierri) were visibly shocked as Travolta took the stage.
In true Zuko style, he led the audience in a roaring version of the film’s iconic “wop-bop-a-loo-bop” chant, before delivering a heartfelt, “Enjoy the show, we love you!”
Travolta’s solo tribute came more than two years after the passing of his beloved co-star Olivia Newton-John, who died of breast cancer in August 2022 at the age of 73. In 2019, the two had reunited in costume at a “Meet n’ Grease” sing-along event in Florida, marking the first time Newton-John had donned Sandy’s look since the film’s premiere.
A month before that event, Newton-John auctioned off her original leather jacket from the movie’s finale to raise funds for her namesake Cancer Wellness and Research Centre. The jacket sold for $243,200 (£185,000), but in a touching gesture, the anonymous buyer returned it so it could be put on permanent display at the institute.
After Newton-John’s death, Travolta paid tribute to her legacy and their enduring friendship. “My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much,” he wrote.
“We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!”
Travolta’s return to the role of Danny Zuko was more than just a performance—it was a powerful reminder of Grease’s lasting legacy, and of a friendship that helped define a cinematic generation.