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'Grease' Actress Annette Charles Dies At 63

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Annette Charles, an actress best known for playing Cha Cha DiGregorio in the 1978 smash movie "Grease," died in her Los Angeles home Wednesday.

Charles was 63 and reportedly died from cancer.

 

Broadcast reports quote Charles' mother saying her daughter was hospitalized for the last month.

In "Grease," Cha Cha steps out on the dance floor and boogies with her ex Danny --John Travolta's character -- causing Olivia Newton-John's Sandy to run off in a huff.

Cha Cha also dances with Kenickie -- her date for the big school dance. Kenickie was played by Jeff Conaway who also died May 27th.

Opening Night Of "Grease" - Annette Cardona, Annette Charles
Actress Annette Cardona arrives for the opening night of "Grease" at The Pantages Theater on March 10, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images)

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In addition to "Grease," Charles had a slew of guest starring roles in 70s-80s era TV shows including "The Incredible Hulk," "Emergency!," "Mod Squad," "The Bionic Woman" and "Barnaby Jones."

Charles also taught speech at California State University, Northridge for several years, according to her imdb.com bio.

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