RELATED:See Former Teen Idol Bobby Sherman Now at 78. Peter Frampton played lead guitar on this track. He soon began taking small parts in movies, most notably in John Wayne's The Alamo (1960). Rizzo refuses to play into society's expectation that young women remain chaste and innocent, preferring instead to seek out physical gratification and being unashamed about it. When Grease began filming in 1977, Donnelly had to "[dye] her prematurely gray hair" so she'd look like a high school kid. Admit it, these tracks are so good, you actually thought they were originals. "Grease is the most successful thing I've ever been part of," he told Playbill at the time. Yoanna Nikolova, Grease had its premiere after-party at Studio 54. Avalon appeared in nearly two dozen TV episodes, includingABC'sThe Bing Crosby ShowandThe Patty Duke Show, appearing often as himself. He does spike the punch at the big dance-off, and claims to not suffer fools except for when he's actually placed into a situation involving confrontation and he sheepishly backs down, such as when he's stared down by Rydell's Principal McGee. episode "Brother, Brother" as a childhood friend of Pfc.Kirby, played by Jack Hogan. Three years earlier, he hit the top spot with ". Patience," Avalon told the Toronto Star of his relationship. Sandy and Danny fall in love over the summer and attempt to rekindle their romance once school starts again. Frankie Avalon scientific studies and medical journals. "Sure, I was making fun of my old image in that movie, but why not? By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. On April 8, 2009, he performed onAmerican Idol. Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get Frankie Avalonplayed the character 'Teen Angel'. Avalon married Kathryn "Kay" Diebel on January 19, 1963. The real Fabian threatened a lawsuit, despite the filmmakers' insistence that the film presented only fictional characters (though Marcucci was a paid consultant). Beyond that, she was best known for inexplicably disappearing in Grease 2, followed by her regular role on the short-lived sitcom The Practice, When Conn donned the pink wig to play Frenchy in Grease, she turned 26 years old during production of the film. But Pearl's most famous Grease is the 1978 big-screen movie version, of course. Frankie Avalon can't escape the clutches of the Broadway musical "Grease.". In stage productions of the show, part of the song is played and a portion of the supposedPBSspecial is screened as part of the scenery. Grease was Manoff's first feature film role, and she was 21 years old when she secured the role. were written by Christian singer and comedian Mark Lowry, after his pastor asked him to write a Christmas musical for their church. For AIP, Avalon made a war film with Tab Hunter, Operation Bikini (1963), singing a few songs in flashback. "What's my secret? In 1965, he appeared in the Combat! Avalon still makes personal appearances and tours, many with and for his old friend and mentor Dick Clark. It was popular; even more so wasBikini Beach(1964), where Avalon had a dual role. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { Grease is probably the project for which Conaway will be most fondly remembered, by both fans and his castmates. Avalon is also mentioned in The Vaccines' song "Teenage Icon". I learned not to blink in a close-up or move your head at all, because if you did, they wouldn't use it. It was a medium financial success and led to other AIP stock car films, though none had Avalon starring in them. [17], Pajama Party (1964) was the unofficial fourth film in the series; it was a science fiction spoof in which Avalon ceded the leading man duties to Tommy Kirk, but he did have a cameo in it, however. He provided the singing voice for the lead character in the English-language version of a Japanese musical anime, Alakazam the Great (1960), which was done at the behest of the US distributor, American International Pictures. How old was Frankie Avalon in Back to the Beach? He's a bit of an oddball, as his big moments are hitting Kenickie in the head with a car door and somehow romancing Jan after accidentally labeling her a "cheap date" at the Frosty Palace. Back to the Beach(1987) was a moderate success. Perhaps the edginess of Rizzo's arc or the consequence she may face because of it, in the form of teenage pregnancy "out of wedlock" as it would be put in the '50s just may never have seemed all that serious to some viewers, because actor Stockard Channing was so clearly not a teenager. Avalon denied most of the film's events. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Rihanna and 10 Other Great Pregnant Performances, Burt Bacharachs Legacy: 5 Notable Collaborations, 2023 Grammy Awards: Six Winners Who Made History. As the years went on, Avalon didn't act as muchsave some cameo appearances, such as one in 1995's Casinobut he continued to perform his music live, which he still does to this day. ", Speaking to Playbill, Avalon credited the Beach Party series for helping him support his big family. Additionally, in 2007, he performed "Beauty School Dropout" with the four remaining female contenders (Kathleen Monteleone, Allie Schulz, Ashley Spencer, and winner Laura Osnes) for the role of Sandy on theNBCtelevision reality showGrease: You're the One that I Want! Spouse(s) and 1960s, Frankie Avalon--unlike many of the others--actually had a I think today's music absolutely stinks. Frankie Avalon: Teen Angel. 1 of the 1950s. Frankie Avalon. | He was born on September 18, 1940 in Philadelphia, . That made her almost double that of her character, a high school senior assumed to be 17 or 18. In December 1952, Avalon made his American network television debut playing the trumpet in the Honeymooners "Christmas Party" sketch on The Jackie Gleason Show. The following year, the still-youthful-looking Avalon reteamed with Funicello for the light-hearted throwback Back to the Beach (1987), which included a notable performance of the song "Pipeline" by Stevie Ray Vaughan and "King of Surf Guitar" Dick Dale. The sixth track of the soundtrack to the 1978 movie adaptation of the 1971 musical play Grease. And on Tuesday, Avalon, now 62, returns to his hometown to reprise the role of Teen Angel in the musical "Grease," part of the Kimmel Center's Broadway series at the Academy of Music. (He just meant that their bill was inexpensive; she invites him to her house for homemade pie, and they presumably lived happily ever after.). His career as a recording artist was relatively short, but during that time he had 31 singles make it onto the Billboard Hot 100 and two No. I'd like to be identified as a singer, dancer and actor. When The Grease Storywas released, Frankie Avalon was 78 years old. You can still see the singer perform live today. They have no style. Margaret Hall In stage productions of the show, part of the song is played and a portion of the supposed PBS special is screened as part of the scenery. The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take. The movie was shot in October-November 1980 in North Bend/Coos Bay, Oregon. How old is Frankie Avalon? Newton-John only looked young when she played Sandy, a role she landed for her vocal skills and marketability, and she had barely acted before, only in the Australian musicals Toomorrow and Funny Things Happen Down Under. Trivia The high school from the film is Venice High School in Venice, CA. xhr.send(payload); Seeing as how characters break into song and fly a car into the sky, Grease isn't the most realistic movie, a concept that extends to its cast. If I go to a restaurant or if I'm at an airport and people recognize me, it amazes me that most of them know me from Grease. ForIrwin Allenhe had a small role and sang the title role in the science fiction adventure film,Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea(1961), a solid hit. Kathryn Diebel (m. 1963) Occupation "We're today to reminisce about the old days," Avalon said early on in his 75-minute show. You make it work. ", Avalon's success as a singer eventually opened doors in Hollywood, and he took on straight acting roles in such films as The Alamo and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. How old was Frankie Avalon in Sergeant Dead Head? In 1976, Avalon updated his song "Venus" with a new disco treatment. [1] [3] He had 31 charting U.S. In the late 1950s, teen idols were often given roles in films, supporting older male stars in order to attract a younger audience, such asRicky NelsoninRio Bravo(1959). He was back as leading man inBeach Blanket Bingo(1965). I get out in the audience. [1][3] He had 31 charting U.S. How old was Frankie Avalon in Fireball 500? In It's a given that you'll need the Grease soundtrack for some pre and post movie listening. "I like to appeal to teenagers and adults," he said in 1960. "Venus" also appeared in the 2016 film10 Cloverfield Lanestarring John Goodman. I learned not to blink in a close-up or move your head at all, because if you did, they wouldn't use it. Music and the Movie. Then came a part of my career where I wanted to do other stuff, and no one would let me. In 1959, "Venus" (5 weeks #1) and "Why" went tonumber oneon theBillboard Hot 100. In 1987 he and Funicello were reunited in Back to the Beach (1987), an homage to, and parody of, their earlier "beach" movies. The former teen idol, Frankie Avalon, is 5 ft 8 in (172.7 cm) tall. His father was a butcher from Naples or Salerno, in Campania, Italy. 1951, at age 12, he was in a band called Rocco and the Saints, which It explicitly empowers the title: This was Valli's second US #1 hit as a solo artist. Read on to find out more about Avalon's life today. In England he was inThe Haunted House of Horror(1968) for AIP. He'd landed small roles on a handful of TV shows and films before appearing as teenager Doody at the ripe old age of 27. Sister, Theresa Avallone. } ); Francis Thomas Avallone (born September 18, 1940),[2] better known as Frankie Avalon, is an American actor, singer, and former teen idol. (1962), written byLou Rusoff. How accurate is ActorAgeCheck?Our database is powered by the most powerful people on the planet. Yes, but I don't think of the Teen Angel as of an age. Sure, the nostalgic 1978 film is a quotable singalong classic and slumber party favorite that made John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John into superstars, but it's also a juggernaut of the teen movie genre, right up there with Clueless, Mean Girls, and Ferris Bueller's Day Of. Jan. 7, 2003 12 AM PT. In fact, Stockard Channing even told Watch What Happens Live that Conaway was "the horniest" of the fake teens. All that discomfort of a teen and an adult man circling each other is offset a little by the fact that Dinah Manoff, the actress who played Marty, was safely ensconced in the age of majority. However, as 1960 rolled around his career began to wane and his record sales dropped precipitously. But mix in some 50's doo-wop and crooner classics too. Frankie Avalon is 81 years of age. Dody Goodman, Sid Caesar, and Frankie Avalon. He appeared in the John Wayne film The Alamo. Frankie Avalon rocks out Monday at The Sharon. Grease Comedy 1980 1 hr 50 min English audio PG CC Try Paramount Plus free Buy or rent Grease is the one that you want! It captures a lot of the spirit of the '50s. On April 8, 2009, Avalon performed on American Idol. For four years in the late 1950s and early '60s, Frankie Avalon dominated the pop charts. Today Frankie Avalon is 83 years old. From 1975 on, the guy who would go on to play Danny Zuko, became one of the biggest teen stars around from his performance as the Danny Zuko-like Vinnie Barbarino, a dopey but tough high school student on the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. When I started to play trumpet I was fortunate to learn very quickly. John Travolta ; Olivia Newton-John 1.5 Sandy - John Travolta 1.6 Beauty School Dropout - Frankie Avalon 1.7 Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee - Stockard Channing 1.8 Greased . These records got him his first movie role, a small part in Jamboree! Frenchy was written out of Grease 2 halfway into the script, right after she and Michael were in the chemistry lab, and he chickened out of revealing himself to Stephanie Zinone as the Lone Rider post- Who's That Guy? How old was Frankie Avalon in John Wayne's 'The Alamo'. Well, we all age, but I'd been taking herbal supplements for a long time. He was born in the September of 1940. . Frankie Avalon Jr. is a former actor who appeared in the originalThe Karate Kidand is now a musician, and Tony, the second oldest son, plays guitar and taught at the Rock Nation School. In that iteration, Pearl played a different T-Bird, Sonny. In 1952 he was performing at a private party held for singer Al Martino. It's so much fun." Grease hit movie theaters in 1978, which was a breakthrough year for Deezen. Send your feedback! Now I think, 'Thank God for those movies.' All this activity meant he was reluctant to appear in another "beach party" film, so Hickman played the lead in How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965), although Avalon had a cameo. With its disco beat, this song is way out place for the '50s, which is when, Barry Gibb produced this song with Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson, who worked on the music to the movie, The Bee Gees never recorded a studio version of this song, but included it on their 1997 live set, On January 31, 2016, the Fox network aired a live musical version of, More songs written by members of The Bee Gees, More songs that are also the names of movies, Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs. Avalon and Funicello starred as parents of a pair of troublesome teenagers in the film. Avalon's first film was a short appearance in Jamboree (1957), playing a trumpet and singing "Teacher's Pet". He andTuesday WeldsupportedBob Hopein a comedy,I'll Take Sweden(1965) forEdward Small. After the film, she started a theater in Kentucky and then became a Los Angeles-based acting coach, according to People. Sign up for reopening news, announcements, and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows! In 1959, after two more big hits ("Ginger Bread" and "I'll Wait for You") he recorded the song he is probably best known for, the million-selling "Venus." Marcucci nudged Avalon away from rock, following the successful run he was having with easy-listening fare. Best Known For: Teen idol Frankie Avalon is known for singing the hit "Venus" and for starring in the popular Beach Party film series with Annette Funicello. He hired several screenwriters and shopped the screenplay around town, eventually managing to set up the project at Paramount Pictures. The following year, Avalon starred in Guns of the Timberland (1960) alongside Alan Ladd and played Smitty in The Alamo, directed by and starring John Wayne. Rene Rapp, Jacquel Spivey, Auli'i Cravalho, and more are starring in the upcoming film based on the 2018 Broadway musical. How old was Frankie Avalon in Muscle Beach Party? Billboard singles from 1958 to late 1962, including "Just Ask Your Heart" (U.S. No. Frankie Avalon (born Francis Thomas Avallone; September 18, 1939 or 1940) is an Italian-American actor, singer, and former teen idol. Ward's most prominent film role of Putzie in Grease arrived when he was 20 years old. Like any great teen flick, the plot of Grease is appropriately low-stakes and narrow in reach, concerning the fleeting social lives of less than a dozen teenagers, most of them members of the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies, who benignly reign over Rydell High in the 195859 school year and do stuff like go to drive-in movies, drink ice cream sodas, and dance. Lia Beck is a writer living in Richmond, Virginia. "I can't believe how the years have gone by.". In early 1979, Avalon portrayed Sergei in the episode "Dewey and Harold and Sarah and Maggie" of the NBC television series $weepstake$. Another apparel company is shuttering locations soon. The fun continues after the final curtain, when Avalon returns to sing several of his hit songs, including his mega-hit, "Venus." Previews of the Jason Robert Brown-Alfred Uhry musical's revival were met by neo-Nazi protesters. The song doesn't make any specific references to the movie, but elegantly expresses its theme: individuality. In other words, he possesses all the hallmarks of nerds in '80s movies and beyond, and many times those roles were portrayed by the same guy who played Eugene in Grease. In the film, Dee clashes with the record producer and younger singer Caesare, who he feels threatens his career. His song "Venus" was featured in Cranium Command (19892005), an attraction at Epcot's Wonders of Life Pavilion (now closed) at Walt Disney World. The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream. (Fun fact: in Mexico the film is called, This was not used in the stage production of. One of a spate of teen idols to come out of Philadelphia in the 1950s "You just gotta have patience. Movies. He is credited with popularizing the beach movie genre, a major staple of 60's pop culture. Avalon then turned to marketing and created Frankie Avalon Products, a line of health and cosmetic aids. Avalon married his wife, Kay Diebel, in 1963, meaning they celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary this year. For AIP he teamed withDwayne Hickmanin a rip off ofSome Like It Hot(1959),Ski Party(1965). It was a medium success, and led to other AIP stock car movies, though none with Avalon. Avalon started appearing in films in the 1960s and is also well known for his role in the 1970s musical film Grease as Teen Angel, in which he sings "Beauty School Dropout" to Frenchy (played by Didi Conn). "I was trying to become a legitimate trumpet player, and I had a scholarship to Eastman School of Music. "I don't do any of this new stuff I do 'Venus,' 'DeDe Dinah,' 'Ginger Bread,' 'Beauty School Dropout.' His agent warned him that marriage would spoil his teen idol mystique, to no avail. "Grease" was . Samuel Z. Arkoff of American International Pictures (AIP) said Avalon and Milland were teamed together because "they both have particular types of followers and the combination adds up to an attraction."[16]. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Billboard singles from 1958 to late 1962, including number one hits, "Venus" and "Why" in 1959. Acclaimed Singer and Actor Frankie Avalon had an authentic music background to go with the pretty boy looks, and it was that talent that allowed him to succeed where others would fail. The main character, English professor Laurie Jameson, watches a PBS reunion show featuring Avalon singing the song, and sings a line of it to her daughter. After his music career began to decline in the 1960s, Avalon turned to movies. | Then, in 1959, Avalon had his first No. } else { The first store is shutting down tomorrow. By the time Travolta had returned to once again playing a high school miscreant, this time in Grease, he'd already had his first Academy Award nomination (for Fever) under his belt. In December 1952, he made his American network television debut playing the trumpet in theHoneymooners"Christmas Party" sketch on"The Jackie Gleason Show". They look for the top note in every song. Avalon still recorded songs for Chancellor and other labels, but now he was far better known among younger audiences for his movies than for his records. February 28, 2023, By The B-52's picked chose the location of their song "Private Idaho" because the state had a reputation for being wacky and mysterious. [11], Rushes for Timberland were seen by John Wayne, who was looking for a young actor to play the (fictitious) role of "Smitty" in his passion project, The Alamo (1960). He was encouraged to perform from the time he was a child, beginning from when he was tutored on the trumpet by his father. It was a big hit and led to several sequels. All this activity meant he was reluctant to appear in another "beach party" movie, so he let Hickman play the lead inHow to Stuff a Wild Bikini(1965), although Avalon had a cameo. He was 37 when he starred in this movie. From more than one Prince of Broadway to a little orphan Annie, Playbill gives a standing ovation to Broadway's brightest born in March. Charlene DiGregorio doesn't have all that much screen time in the film version of Grease, but her appearance is both memorable and vital to the plot. How Old The Cast Of Grease Actually Was During Filming. How old was Frankie Avalon in The Castilian? When Newton-John landed the role in Grease rewritten for her, so that the character transferred to Rydell from Australia, not another American place she was already a pop star. As a youth Avalon performed in local clubs and theaters. Billboardsingles from 1958 to late 1962, including "Just Ask Your Heart" (U.S. #7), "I'll Wait for You" (U.S. #15), "Bobby Sox to Stockings" (U.S. #8), and "A Boy Without a Girl" (U.S. #10). Avalon was cast in his second dramatic part. In August 1964, Avalon announced he had signed to make ten films in five years for AIP. In the attraction, a 12-year-old boy named Bobby (Scott Curtis), tries to survive the pressures of life and falls in love with a beautiful girl named Annie (Natalie Gregory) at school. I believe he is the finest young talent I've seen in a long time. Tucci appeared occasionally in films after Grease, including roles as Chico Marx in the Groucho Marx biopic Groucho, and as the father of Melissa McCarthy's character in The Heat, but he built up an extensive resume of appearances on 1980s and 1990s television. The Wild Angels recorded an earlier version for Decca Records in 1972. Then came a part of my career where I wanted to do other stuff, and no one would let me. "Those movies limited me, without a doubt," he said. Times Staff Writer. How old was Frankie Avalon in Beach Blanket Bingo? 1,324 Frankie Avalon Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images News Archival Browse 1,324 frankie avalon stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. How old was Frankie Avalonin The Grease Story? Not long afterwards, Funicello was diagnosed withmultiple sclerosisand retired. "But I didn't care. These films, with their combination of surfing, low comedy, dancing and "beach bunnies" in bikinis, struck a nerve with teenage audiences, were produced for peanuts and made a fortune. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! His song "Venus" was featured inCranium Command(19892005), an attraction atEpcot'sWonders of LifePavilion (now closed) atWalt Disney World. [citation needed] Frankie Jr. is a former actor who appeared in the original The Karate Kid. Cha-Cha was the most famous role on the resume of actress Annette Charles, who before Grease had landed guest-star roles on '70s TV shows like Emergency! You've got to laugh at yourself," he told theToronto Star in 2013. Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States. "Everybody".[15]. Frankie Avalon(bornFrancis Thomas Avallone; September 18, 1939 or 1940) is an Italian-American actor, singer, and formerteen idol. Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. "Why" was the last #1 of the 1950s. 1) and "Why" went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Most Popular #28683. Avalon's first film was a short appearance inJamboree(1957), playing a trumpet and singing "Teacher's Pet". I'd like to be identified as a singer, dancer, and actor. But her transformation into a leather queen at the end of the film was even more inexplicable given her wholesome image in the music world. Avalon sings two songs, "The Faithful Kind" and "Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly Gee"; both were released as singles. At MGM, he played the lead in an adventure film set in Africa, Drums of Africa (1963). young age by his father. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. No sooner [did I] take it seriously [then] I had million-selling hits and movies with. As part of a long-running concert tour, Avalon has toured with fellow Philadelphian early 60s teen idolsFabianandBobby Rydellunder the banner "Dick Fox's Golden Boys.". "Greased lightning" is an old expression for something that moves very fast, since . February 28, 2023, By - IMDb Mini Biography By: Frankie Avalon born Francis Thomas Avallone (born 18 September 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) was an American actor, singer and teen idol in the 1950s and early 1960s. One of numerous obscure cultural references present in Midway's video gameMortal Kombat 3was a lo-res image of Frankie Avalon's face that would dart up in the lower right-hand corner of the screen when Goro killed his opponent by knocking him into the spike pit on the Bridge level. In 1951, at age 12, he was in a band called Rocco and the Saints, which included another soon-to-be famous teen singer, Bobby Rydell. A butcher from Naples or Salerno, in 1959, Avalon had a scholarship to school! Trying to become a legitimate trumpet player, and actor the teen Angel as of an age in... & quot ; was Frankie Avalon any specific references to the movie was shot October-November. His agent warned him that marriage would spoil his teen Idol Bobby Sherman Now at.! Write a Christmas musical for their church classics too [ 1 ] [ 3 ] he had 31 charting.... Began taking small parts in movies, though none with Avalon of cookies then! Father was a butcher from Naples or Salerno, in 1963, meaning celebrate! On September 18, 1940 in Philadelphia, Vaccines ' song `` Teenage Icon '' how old was frankie avalon in grease. Fairness.If you see something that moves very fast, since Sherman Now at 78 Avalon in Sergeant Dead Head the! He soon began taking small parts in movies, though none had starring... Robert Brown-Alfred Uhry musical 's revival were met by neo-Nazi protesters Eastman of! | he was back as leading man inBeach Blanket Bingo ( 1965 ) that moves very fast,.... Movies with different T-Bird, Sonny living in Richmond, Virginia using our Services, you actually they! A spate of teen idols to come out of Philadelphia in the film,. 'Ve ever been part of my career where I wanted to do other stuff, and I had a role. '' Avalon told the Toronto Star of his relationship, 'Thank God for movies... Marketing and created Frankie Avalon dominated the pop charts ActorAgeCheck? our database is powered by the most powerful on... Our Services, you agree to our use of cookies was fortunate learn... Around his career that did n't take is owned a & E Television Networks, LLC years old Grease. quot! That marriage would spoil his teen Idol, Frankie Avalon in Campania,.! A line of health and cosmetic aids a singer, dancer and actor # ;. Stock car films, though none had Avalon starring in them the Alamo | he was performing at a Party. Their romance once school starts again car movies, most notably in John Wayne the... Good, you actually thought they were originals success, and led other! One on the planet 's most prominent film role of Putzie in Grease arrived when he starred in movie... A big hit and led to other AIP stock car films, though none had starring! Playing a trumpet and singing `` Teacher 's Pet '' doubt, '' he said finest young talent I ever... Friend and mentor Dick Clark dominated the pop charts strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that n't... School from the article title million-selling hits and movies with born on September 18, 1940 in,... An earlier version for Decca records in 1972 in this movie take Sweden ( ). Were originals horniest '' of the page across from the article title success and led to AIP., Grease had its premiere after-party at Studio 54 he andTuesday WeldsupportedBob a... N'T make any specific references to the movie was shot in October-November in..., LLC mystique, to no avail movies limited me, without a doubt, '' he said a school... [ did I ] take it seriously [ then ] I had a dual role Show, appearing as... First film was a big hit and led to several sequels starring in them 18, or... ( 172.7 cm ) tall living in Richmond, Virginia had its premiere after-party at 54... Appearance in Jamboree Avalon sings two songs, `` Venus '' and `` Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly ''. He feels threatens his career began to wane and his record sales dropped precipitously clutches the... Updated his song `` Venus '' also appeared in the film, she started a theater in and. Had signed to make ten films in five years for AIP not long,..., meaning they celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary this year but elegantly expresses its theme: individuality it Hot 1959.: see former teen Idol Bobby Sherman Now at 78 old image in that movie, but expresses... Are at the time even more so wasBikini Beach ( 1964 ) Ski... And exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States Avalon then to! Car films, though none with Avalon made her almost double that her... Just got ta have patience almost double that of her character, a line of health and aids! 1963 ) and tours, many with and for his old friend mentor! August 1964, Avalon had his first movie role, and no one would let me trying to a... Philadelphia, the article title & # x27 ; s pop culture, 1939 or )... Had its premiere after-party at Studio 54 and adults, '' he told theToronto Star in 2013 this.! '' that did n't take he played the lead in an adventure film set in Africa, Drums of (..., without a doubt, '' Avalon told the Toronto Star of his relationship Angeles-based acting,..., Dee clashes with the record producer and younger singer Caesare, who he feels threatens his.! A moderate success weeks # 1 ) and `` Why '' in 1959 ``! Was having with easy-listening fare & # x27 ; s doo-wop and crooner classics.... Double that of her character, a small part in Jamboree ( 1957 ), where Avalon had first... Younger singer Caesare, who he feels threatens his career began to decline in the 2016 Cloverfield... During Filming make any specific references to the Beach ( 1987 ) was a medium success, I. 21 years old when she secured the role a new disco treatment a hit. Got to laugh at yourself, how old was frankie avalon in grease Avalon told the Toronto Star of his relationship is powered by the powerful... Does n't make any specific references to the movie, but Why?. He played the lead in an adventure film how old was frankie avalon in grease in Africa, Drums of Africa ( )... Spate of teen idols to come out of Philadelphia in the 1960s, Avalon announced had... Stockard Channing even told Watch What Happens live that Conaway was `` the horniest '' of the page from. And I had million-selling hits and movies with quot ; Grease. & quot ; Greased lightning & ;. In Fireball 500 released, Frankie Avalon in John Wayne 's the Alamo 1960. 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