Early Life and Pageant Success

Born in 1952 in Seattle, Washington, Buckner entered and won the Miss Washington USA pageant in 1971 when she was just 18 years old. This opened up opportunities for her to represent her home state at the Miss USA and Miss America competitions in 1972. Though she did not win those pageants, her beauty and stage talent brought her to the attention of Hollywood.

Buckner soon found herself as one of the principal performers of The Golddiggers, the glamorous singing and dancing troupe of women that frequently appeared on The Dean Martin Show variety series in the early to mid-1970s. With her long blonde hair, megawatt smile, and energetic dance moves, Buckner stood out even among the gorgeous Golddiggers.

Capitalizing on her Golddiggers fame, Buckner landed small roles on various 1970s TV series like The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, The Sonny and Cher Show, and The Mac Davis Show. But her big break came in 1978 when she won the career-defining role of Patty Simcox in Grease. As the bubbly head cheerleader encouraging Rydell High School to cheer on their athletic teams, Buckner got to deliver one of the most memorable lines of dialogue in the beloved musical: “Do the splits, give a yell! Show a little spirit for Old Rydell!”

Dressed in a cheerleader uniform with her blond hair in pigtails, Buckner demonstrated peppy spirit and fun flair in her scenes opposite top-billed Grease stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. And her character represented a counterpoint from the “bad girl” Rizzo (played by Stockard Channing) and the “good girl” Sandy (Newton-John). Buckner’s Patty Simcox was simple, pure fun – and her glowing charisma shone through in the role.

In the years following Grease, Buckner continued acting with guest spots on various TV series like The Love Boat, Trapper John M.D., Hart to Hart, and Crazy Like a Fox. She also appeared in a few little-seen movies like Gus Brown and Midnight and Police Academy 6: City Under Siege. But small-screen viewers knew her best as the energetic, lovable Patty Simcox, a character forever linked to Grease.

As the 1980s progressed, Buckner became less active as an actress and focused on raising her two children. She eventually stepped back from Hollywood altogether and settled into a quieter life outside of the entertainment industry. But she still participated in the occasional Grease cast reunion over the years, mingling with former co-stars like Didi Conn (who played Frenchie) and Dennis C. Stewart (who played Leo “Craterface” Balmudo).

In her later years, Buckner channeled her performing talents into directing children’s theater productions at a local elementary school in Florida. She also taught dance classes as an instructor at a gym, allowing her to pass on her lifelong passion for movement and choreography.

Up until her death at 72, Buckner maintained warm nostalgic ties to Grease. As Patty Simcox, she enjoyed a permanent place in film history as the cheerful, gum-snapping teen who encouraged Rydell High School spirit. For generations of Grease fans, Buckner’s glowing smile and bubbly energy perfectly encapsulated the musical’s fun, lighthearted charm.

Buckner is survived by her daughter Samantha Mansfield, son Adam Josephs, four grandchildren, sister Linda, daughter-in-law Noel Josephs, son-in-law Adam Mansfield, and longtime partner Al. Mansfield remembered her mother as “magic,” while publicist Berthier stated that Buckner’s luminous spirit would be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Though her life and career extended beyond her star-making supporting turn as Patty Simcox, it is the role of the peppy, enthusiastic cheerleader that Susan Buckner will forever be remembered for by movie lovers around the world. As the infectious song lyrics she famously sang in Grease go: “Way to go, red and white! Go Rydell, fight, fight, fight!” Buckner’s beaming, youthful performance will always epitomize that indomitable hopeful spirit. I sincerely hope you find this “Actress Susan Buckner, Renowned for Her Role as Sandy’s Cheerleading Friend Patty Simcox in “Grease,” Dies at 72″ article helpful.

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