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Vanessa Hudgens’ Dad Dies Of Cancer Mere Hours Before ‘Grease Live’ Airs, Dedicates Performance To Her ‘Daddy’

By Pam Wright
Published on: 05:31 PST, Jan 31, 2016

Vanessa Hudgens lost her father to cancer Saturday night, and while it is never a good time to lose your dad, Vanessa lost hers the night before her turn in the much-anticipated Grease Live.

According to E! News, the 27-year-old High School Musical star will not only have to deal with nerves before Grease Live airs tonight, she will be mourning the loss of her dad.

Hudgens announced that her dad, Greg Hudgens, died after battling stage four cancer at the age of 65. Her Twitter page said on Sunday morning that her father, Greg Hudgens, has died after battling stage 4 cancer. He was 65-years-old.

Vanessa, who will play Rizzo in tonight’s production, made her heartbreaking announcement hours before FOX’s Grease: Live musical special airs at 7 p.m. ET.

Hudgens tweeted that the show would be performed in his honor.

Along with Vanessa, Greg is also survived by her mother and his wife, Gina Hudgens, and Vanessa’s 20-year-old sister, Stella Hudgens.

Within minutes of her announcement, the entertainment community came to Vanessa’s support.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Vanessa announced her dad’s diagnosis in August during a speech at the Industry Dance Awards.

“Last year, my boyfriend, Austin [Butler], lost his mom, Lori, to cancer, and my dad has just been recently diagnosed with stage four cancer. Let me tell you, I hate cancer. I hate cancer with every cell of my being … This award, it means a lot to me, but I dedicate it to my boyfriend’s mom, Lori, my dad, and to all the families out there who are struggling with this, because it really takes a strong person and a strong family to be able to help those out who are going through this.”

According to Broadway World, Hudgens began her work in musical theater at a young age with shows such as The Wizard of Oz, The King and I, The Music Man, and Cinderella.

Hudgens became a household name after starring with Zac Efron in the High School Musical franchise.

Thoughts go out to Vanessa Hudgens as she courageously lives up to the motto, “the show must go on.”

[Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]

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