Stockard Channing, 82, reflected on her role as Betty Rizzo in the iconic 1978 film "Grease," humorously noting her age while playing the high school student. As the movie approaches its 50th anniversary, Channing appeared on the talk show "Lorraine" to discuss the enduring legacy of the film and the lore surrounding the actors' ages.
"I was like, let's go for it. Let's go play the world's oldest teenager!" Channing recalled, recounting her request to producers to look younger for the role.
Channing, who was 30 when "Grease" was filmed, admitted to struggling with her mortgage at the time and felt fortunate to secure any role. "I was lucky to even get a job," she said.
The actress also discussed her directorial debut with "Krapp's Last Tape" at the Edinburgh Festival, a project undertaken to raise funds for The Wembley to Soweto Foundation.
"Grease" starred Channing alongside John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The film's 50th anniversary is approaching, and Channing mentioned she would be busy later in the year reprising her role as Aunt Frances Owens in "Practical Magic 2."
Channing's career includes a diverse range of roles, from her Emmy-winning performance as Abbey Bartlet in "The West Wing" to her Oscar-nominated role in the 1993 film adaptation of "Six Degrees of Separation."