Jeff Conaway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jeff Conaway
Conaway in 1998
Born	Jeffrey Charles William Michael Conaway (1950-10-05)October 5, 1950 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	May 27, 2011(2011-05-27) (aged 60) Encino, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1971–2011
Spouse(s)	Unknown (m. 1971; ann. 1971) Rona Newton-John ​ ​ (m. 1980; div. 1985)​ Kerri Young ​ ​ (m. 1990; div. 2000)​

Jeffrey Charles William Michael Conaway (born October 5, 1950 – died May 27, 2011) was an American actor. He was well-known for playing Kenickie in the popular movie Grease. He also had important roles in two TV shows. He played Bobby Wheeler, an actor trying to make it big, in Taxi. Later, he was Zack Allan, a security officer, on Babylon 5.

Early Life and Acting Start

Jeff Conaway was born in Manhattan, New York. He grew up in different neighborhoods of Queens, like Astoria and Forest Hills.

His father, Charles, was an actor and producer. His mother, Helen, also an actress, taught music. They divorced when Jeff was three. He and his two older sisters lived with their mother.

Jeff also spent time with his grandparents in South Carolina. This gave him a slight Southern accent. When he was 10, he went with his mother to an audition. It was for a Broadway play called All the Way Home. The story was set in Knoxville, Tennessee. Jeff's accent helped him get a role as one of four boys.

This play won a Pulitzer Prize in 1961. It was also nominated for a Tony Award. The play ran for many months. Jeff stayed for the whole run. After that, he toured with another play called Critic's Choice.

Conaway also worked as a child model. He went to high school at the Quintano School for Young Professionals. When he was 15, he played in a rock band called 3 1/2. Later, he studied at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He then moved to New York University.

Acting Career Highlights

While at NYU, Jeff Conaway appeared in TV commercials. He also played the main role in a school play, The Threepenny Opera. His first movie was in 1971. It was a romantic drama called Jennifer on My Mind. Future stars like Robert De Niro were also in this film.

Becoming Famous: Grease and Taxi

The next year, Conaway joined the original Broadway cast of Grease. He was an understudy for several parts, including the main male role, Danny Zuko. He eventually took over that role.

He played in the musical for two and a half years. His friend John Travolta later joined the show. Travolta played a supporting role, Doody. The two friends reunited for the 1978 movie Grease. In the film, Travolta played Danny Zuko. Conaway played his best friend, Kenickie.

Conaway as Bobby Wheeler in Taxi

In 1975, Conaway started acting in TV series with Happy Days. He then had guest roles in other TV shows. After making three more films, including Grease, he got a role in Taxi. This show started in the fall of 1978. He played Bobby Wheeler, an actor who was always trying to get a big break.

Conaway left Taxi after the third season. At the time, it was said he found the role too similar each week.

After Taxi: More TV and Movies

After Taxi, Conaway starred in a fantasy-comedy series in 1983. It was called Wizards and Warriors. He also made guest appearances on many shows. These included Barnaby Jones and Murder, She Wrote. He appeared in movies like Jawbreaker and Elvira: Mistress of the Dark.

From 1989 to 1990, he played Mick Savage on The Bold and the Beautiful. In 1993, he acted on stage in Real Life Photographs. From 1994 to 1999, he played Zack Allan on Babylon 5. He started as a Sergeant and was later promoted to Security Chief. In 2010, he did voice-over work for an animated short film. It was called Dante's Hell Animated.

Music Interests

Besides acting, Jeff Conaway also enjoyed music. In the mid-1960s, he was the lead singer and guitarist for a rock band. The band was called The 3 1/2. They recorded four songs for Cameo Records in 1966 and 1967.

In 1979, Conaway released his first album. It was called Jeff Conaway. One song from the album, "City Boy," was released as a single. In 2000, he released another album titled It Don't Make Sense You Can't Make Peace.

Personal Life

Marriages

Conaway was married three times. His first marriage was short. He was 21 years old. It was later canceled. His second marriage was to Rona Newton-John. She was the older sister of his Grease co-star, Olivia Newton-John. They were married from 1980 to 1985. His stepson, Emerson Newton-John, is a race car driver. His third marriage was to Kerri Young. They were married from 1990 to 2000.

Health Challenges

Jeff Conaway had a back injury early in his career. This happened on the set of Grease while filming the "Greased Lightning" scene. He used different medicines to help with the pain.

In August 2009, Conaway was interviewed. He said he was feeling much better after a fifth back operation.

Death

On May 11, 2011, Conaway was found unconscious. He was taken to a hospital in Encino, California. Doctors said he was in critical condition. He was suffering from serious health complications, including a lung infection. He was placed in a special sleep to help him heal.

On May 26, 2011, Conaway's family decided to take him off life support. Doctors had determined they could not help him recover. An examination after his death showed he died from various health issues, including a severe lung infection and brain swelling.

Awards

Golden Globe Award

• 1978 nomination, Best Supporting Actor, Comedy or Musical Series (for Taxi)
• 1979 nomination, Best Supporting Actor, Comedy or Musical Series (for Taxi)

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Jeff Conaway para niños