Trivia – Didi Conn

The first time I saw "Grease" on the big screen, I was instantly hooked—on the story, the music, the dancing, the hair… and yes, the Pink Ladies. Sure, Danny and Sandy had my heart, but there was one character who completely stole the show for me: Frenchy. Played to perfection by the endlessly charming and hysterically funny Didi Conn, Frenchy wasn’t just “the Beauty School Dropout”—she was the sweet, bubbly best friend you didn’t know you needed in your life.

Over the years, Didi has popped up in roles that made you want to hug your TV screen. Whether she was the struggling singer in "You Light Up My Life," the sunny station master Stacy Jones on "Shining Time Station," Cupcake in the animated "Fonzie and the Happy Days Gang," or the ever-loyal secretary in "Benson," Didi always brought warmth, heart, and just the right amount of quirk.

Now, to celebrate my brand-new two-part podcast interview with the unforgettable Beauty School Dropout herself (Episodes 131 & 132 of Hollywood Obsessed), I’ve put together a hilarious and nostalgic Didi Conn Trivia Challenge that’ll test even the most devoted fans.

So grab your metaphorical Pink Lady jacket, channel your inner superfan, and get ready to relive the charm, the laughs, and the irresistible sweetness of one of the most iconic comedic actresses of the ’70s and ’80s. Let the trivia begin!

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Born Edith Bernstein, she’s the older sister of bass-baritone opera star Richard Bernstein.

Studied mime with Tony Montanaro in the first year of his Celebration Mime Theatre.

Her instantly recognizable, sweet-yet-quirky voice is one of her trademarks.

In the "Happy Days" season two episode "Kiss Me Sickly" (1975), she played a high school teen — a warm-up to her beloved role as Frenchy in the blockbuster film "Grease" (1978).

In "You Light Up My Life" (1977), Didi’s singing voice was dubbed by Kvitka Cisyk, whose version of the title song was later covered by Debby Boone for her 10-week #1 hit.

Co-starred in both "Raggedy Ann & Andy" and "You Light Up My Life" with Joe Silver.

Voiced Raggedy Ann in "Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure" (1977).

During "Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure" (1977), she had laryngitis while recording vocals. Director Richard Williams loved the hoarseness, saying it added emotion to the song “Home.”

Reunited with composer Joe Raposo (who worked on "Raggedy Ann & Andy") on "Shining Time Station," where he wrote many of the songs.

Was considered for the role of Olive Oyl in "Popeye".

Snuck a peek at the "Grease" script before her audition—by hiding under a security guard’s desk.

At her "Grease" audition, she wanted to read for Rizzo—but the producers decided she was exactly right for Frenchy.

Played Frenchy in both "Grease" (1978) and "Grease 2" (1982).

Fresh off her iconic turn as Frenchy in "Grease" (1978), Didi teamed up with Bruno Kirby to play squabbling siblings in the teen ‘70s cult comedy "Almost Summer". Directed by Martin Davidson — the filmmaker behind "The Lords of Flatbush" and "Eddie and the Cruisers "— the film is a sun-soaked time capsule of high school politics, romance, and retro cool.

In "Grease 2," she returned alongside other original cast members including Eve Arden, Dody Goodman, Sid Caesar, and Eddie Deezen.

Revealed in 2003 that Frenchy’s mid-film disappearance in "Grease 2" was due to chaotic rewrites and filming—calling the process “rushed, frantic, and unorganized.”

Once said there were early plans for a "Grease" sequel called "Summer School," inspired by Coach Calhoun’s line at the end of "Grease," but Paramount nixed the idea.

Was a driving force behind a planned third "Grease" film.

Only cast member to appear in all three "Grease" productions: "Grease" (1978), "Grease 2" (1982), and "Grease Live!"(2016).

Conn voiced Cupcake in the Saturday morning animated series "The Fonz & The Happy Days Gang" (1980) alongside Henry Winkler, Ron Howard, and Don Most.

Played Stacy Jones on "Shining Time Station" (1989–95) and reprised the role in "Thomas and the Magic Railroad" (2000).

Executive produced a children’s animated series called "Didi Delightful," which introduced a recurring autistic character—an idea inspired by her own son’s autism diagnosis.

Named national celebrity spokesperson for Autism Speaks in 2008 and has supported numerous autism-related organizations, including the National Alliance for Autism Research and FECA.

Maintained a 45-year friendship with "Grease" co-star Olivia Newton-John until her passing in 2022.

Appeared on game shows like "Match Game," "The $20,000, $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000 Pyramid", "Whew!", "Chain Reaction," and "Go."

In "Most Likely to Murder" (2018), played Adam Pally’s mother opposite Ethan Phillips—they had previously played a married couple on Benson.

Appeared in "Grease Live!" (2016) as diner waitress Vi, opposite Frenchy (played by Carly Rae Jepsen). In the 1978 film, Vi was played by Joan Blondell.

At the end of "Grease Live!’s" curtain call, Didi and co-star Barry Pearl wore their original "Grease" Pink Ladies and T-Birds jackets from 1978.

Once attended a school production of "Grease" at Nyack Middle School, where “Danny” was played by future "Freaks and Geeks" star John Francis Daley. She signed autographs for the cast, crew, and audience.

Competed on "Dancing on Ice" in 2019 at age 67, becoming the oldest contestant in the show’s history. Eliminated in Week 4, she lost to Saara Aalto in the skate-off.

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Some facts in this post were sourced from IMDb and Wikipedia.

Don’t miss my captivating two-part interview with the one and only Didi Conn on the latest episodes of the Hollywood Obsessed podcast! Bursting with exclusive stories, behind-the-scenes surprises, and plenty of laughs, it’s a conversation you won’t find anywhere else.

Listen now and get inspired:

Episode 131 – HERE

Episode 132 – HERE