Annette Charles, Cha Cha in ‘Grease,’ Dies at 63
Just over two months after the death of Grease star Jeff Conaway, another former cast member from the film has passed away.
Annette Charles, the brunette beauty famous for playing Cha Cha DiGrigorio in the iconic 1978 musical movie, died on Wednesday at her home in Los Angeles – she was 63.
According to MSNBC News, Charles had been suffering from cancer after being diagnosed a few months ago and a representative for the actress confirmed to TMZ that she died from complications relating to the disease.
Annette, who famously danced with Danny Zucco (John Travolta) in the classic musical film and told the movie’s Pink Ladies, “They call me Cha Cha because I’m the best dancer at St. Bernadette’s,” will always be remembered for her ‘hand jive,’ a dance move that is still mimicked to this day.
In addition to “Grease,” Charles had a highly successful television career appearing in several long running series in the 1970s including Barnaby Jones, The Bionic Woman, and Magnum, P.I.
Following her career on the big screen, Annette became a speech professor and taught at the California State University in Northridge.
In memory of Annette Charles, watch the following YouTube clip which features her performing the famous ‘hand jive’ as Cha Cha DiGregorio.
