Grease's Cha-Cha, Actress Annette Charles, Dies at 63

Entertainment August 4, 2011 AT 1:36PM By UsWeekly Staff

Credit: Paramount Pictures/ Courtesy: Everett Collection

Grease has lost another unforgettable star.

Annette Charles, the actress and dancer who played Cha Cha in the 1978 classic film, died Wednesday in her Los Angeles home.

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Her rep told TMZ that Charles had been battling cancer. A full statement is expected within the next 24 hours. A family member told TMZ: "Annette had recently started having difficulty breathing ... and when she went to the doctor she learned that she had a cancerous tumor in her one of her lungs."

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As Cha Cha, Charles memorably played a sexy villain -- the girlfriend of tough gangmember Craterface, who briefly dances (spectacularly) with good guys Danny Zucko (John Travolta) and his pal Kenickie (Jeff Conaway) at a big, televised school dance competition.

Her castmate Jeff Conaway passed away in late May at age 60.

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August 10, 2011 - 10:13am anissa.harrell
I agree with Bette Wilkinson,Why say anything if you cant say anything but negative things?? It sounds like jealousy. I know there isnt many people that wouldnt have loved to been in her shoes at that time.
August 09, 2011 - 3:00pm Alfred Vasquez Sr.
wow
August 07, 2011 - 11:20pm Anonymous
Rest In Peace Annette.And my prayers are with your family in there time of grief.
August 05, 2011 - 12:19am Bette Wilkinson
Laurie Griffith,you are a very sad person,please respect Annette or keep your mouth shut if u can't say anything nice.RIP my dear friend
August 05, 2011 - 12:08am Blaze Chavez
rip cousin, i love you
August 04, 2011 - 11:29pm Heather Mize
RIP....She will always be captured as a lovely young star on film. May her family have that to get them through the tough times ahead.
August 04, 2011 - 5:53pm Laurie Griffith
NO WONDER she looked like she was going thru menopause when she was supposed to be playing a teenager. Then again, B.H. 90210 did the same thing in the 90s....
August 04, 2011 - 5:08pm Sylvia Ferguson
"How ya doin Zuko-baby?" RIP Annette
August 04, 2011 - 4:01pm Corinna Escareno
RIP, the lord be with the family in their time of sorrow & may they find comfort in their memories.
August 04, 2011 - 3:53pm Lindsay Kay Wescott
she was an amazing dancer in Grease, rest peacefully
August 04, 2011 - 3:44pm Jenn Terry
Loved her in that scene! She will be missed...
August 04, 2011 - 3:24pm Charlie Melton
she was great in "Grease" such a cool lady..RIP..
August 04, 2011 - 2:35pm Elda Reyes
she was such a knockout, rip Angel.
August 04, 2011 - 2:04pm Susan Cullen Neves
RIP Annette.....