She’s best remembered for her iconic role in “Grease,” but there’s more to her story than what fans saw on-screen. After a two-decade break, she returned to Hollywood with a renewed passion and a striking new look.
Her character in the 1978 Oscar-nominated film “Grease” may have been quirky and fun, but her life off-screen followed a different script. At the height of her career, she chose to walk away from the fast pace of Hollywood to focus on raising her children.
The actress attends the Tremaine Dance Conventions 35th Anniversary Tour on April 3, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
During her years away from acting, she found fulfillment in raising her children, later transitioning into a new role as a mentor for young actors. Her return to the public eye showed a woman comfortable in her own skin, having found the balance between family and career.
The actress with Kelly Ward and Barry Pearl on March 26, 2015, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Family and Career Changes
After nearly two decades away from the screen, the actress made her return in the late 1990s. Her first roles after her long hiatus were in the 1998 films “Slappy and the Stinkers” and “Can’t Hardly Wait.” These parts weren’t as high-profile as “Grease,” but they marked her quiet re-entry into the industry.
The actress attends a party in Hollywood on October 15, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
By this time, her children were grown, and she felt ready to reconnect with the world of acting. In 2015, she took on a more prominent role in the film “Black Mass,” which starred Johnny Depp. While her return to acting was a gradual process, it allowed her to step back into the spotlight when she felt ready.
Johnny Depp attends the premiere of “Black Mass” on October 11, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
The actress in “Black Mass,” dated May 23, 2015 | Source: YouTube/@RottenTomatoesTRAILERS
While her initial run in Hollywood was successful, her personal life has always been her true focus. Before making it in the entertainment world, she spent her formative years at Mountain Lakes School.
Reflecting on that time, she recalled, “I was at Mountain Lakes through all my high school years. I came right before I was a freshman and I was there through my high school graduation, and that was in ’64.” The actress’s experiences at Mountain Lakes were part of the foundation that would later shape her acting career.
Scott Baio, Barry Pearl, Kelly Ward, Didi Conn, Bailey Baio, Lorenzo Lamas, the actress, and Michael Tucci on August 19, 2018, in St Charles, Missouri | Source: Getty Images
Later in life, she married author and screenwriter Stephen H. Foreman, and together they have two children: a son, Sevi, and a daughter, Madden Rose. Her time away from the spotlight allowed her to enjoy a fulfilling family life, a choice that she never regretted.
The actress and her husband as seen in her Facebook Stories | Source: Facebook/JamieDonnelly
Now a grandmother, she cherishes her time with her family while still occasionally stepping back into the entertainment scene. Though she paused her acting career, she didn’t give up her passion for the stage entirely.
The actress attends the 2018 STL Pop Culture Con on August 17, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
After about a decade away from Hollywood, she took on a new role as an acting coach, helping guide the next generation of actors while balancing her responsibilities at home. Her transition into coaching allowed her to stay connected to her love for the performing arts without the pressures of the Hollywood scene.
The actress attends the 2018 STL Pop Culture Con on August 17, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Her Current Life in New York
The star we’re referring to is none other than the iconic Jamie Donnelly. Today, she balances her work as an acting coach in California with a quieter life in West Kill, New York.
Her rural home provides a peaceful retreat from the Hollywood spotlight, and she’s embraced this slower pace. According to her social media, she enjoys her time living away from the industry while still sharing her expertise with aspiring actors.
Her silver hair, now one of her defining features, reflects both her natural aging and her acceptance of this new stage in life. Though she isn’t regularly seen in front of the camera, she continues to influence the acting world through her coaching.
Jamie Donnelly on September 24, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
Let’s dive into how Donnelly secured her unforgettable role in “Grease,” a timeless classic that still captivates audiences decades after its release.
The actresses who portrayed Jan and Olivia Newton-John in “Grease,” photographed in June 1978 | Source: Getty Images
How She Landed the Role in “Grease”
Before she became known to millions as Jan, Donnelly first stepped into the role on Broadway. Though initially hesitant to take the part—having been accustomed to larger roles—her manager convinced her to give it a shot. The manager, who also worked with John Travolta, believed the role could open new doors for her.
John Travolta, Jamie Donnelly, and Karen Lynn Gorney on September 24, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
Donnelly signed a six-month contract instead of the longer one-year deal they wanted. Despite her initial reservations, she ended up enjoying the role and stayed longer than expected. However, the original actress for Jan was brought back, and she was abruptly fired.
Jamie Donnelly with a fellow actor in 1976 | Source: Getty Images
The experience was deeply humiliating, but in hindsight, she now recognizes it as a turning point. Seven years later, her manager urged her to audition for the “Grease” movie. However, due to her previous experience, she was reluctant.
Jamie Donnelly in 1976 | Source: Getty Images
“I said, ‘I don’t wanna go near that thing again.’ And he said, ‘You ought to give it a shot,'” she recalled. She went for it—and this time, landed the role that made her famous. “I didn’t know then that the movie would be the hit that it is but, of course, now when people think of the character Jan, I’m the person that they think of.”
Jamie Donnelly with her co-stars in “Grease,” photographed in June 1978 | Source: Getty Images
One of the most memorable scenes in the film is the pajama party, where her character delivers the iconic “Brusha, brusha, brusha, get the new Ipana” line. This wasn’t in the original script, but a suggestion she made to the director.
The actress who portrayed Jan in “Grease,” photographed in June 1978 | Source: Getty Images
After showing the crew an old Bucky Beaver toothpaste commercial that inspired the line, they found it so funny that they added it to the movie. Fans remember it to this day as one of Jan’s standout moments. While “Grease” fans remember her as the pigtailed Pink Lady, the actress was already dealing with something most didn’t know.
Jamie Donnelly as Jan in “Grease,” photographed in June 1978 | Source: Getty Images
She had prematurely gray hair. To fit the role of the youthful Jan with dark brown locks, she dyed her hair for the movie. Not long after the success of “Grease,” she decided to step away from Hollywood. Her break, which stretched for nearly two decades, wasn’t driven by a lack of opportunities but by a commitment to her family.
Jamie Donnelly and the “Grease” cast in 1978 | Source: Getty Images
She chose to focus on raising her two children, a move she never regretted. Balancing the demands of acting with being a mother wasn’t easy, so she put her career on hold to ensure she could be fully present for her kids during their formative years.
Jamie Donnelly with her husband and children in April 1998 | Source: Getty Images
Undoubtedly, Donnelly’s journey from “Grease” to today highlights a career defined by personal choices, family, and her continued connection to the arts on her own terms.
