• Stockard Channing, more popularly known for her iconic role as Betty Rizzo in “Grease,” recently celebrated her milestone 80th birthday.
• In a 2006 interview, the actress shared her views on love, life, and the impact of fame on personal relationships, emphasizing her belief in love at first sight and its complexities.
• The star, who has been married four times, with all of her unions ending in divorce, moved to another country after losing her partner of 25 years.

Channing’s early roles, such as her performance in the black comedy “The Girl Most Likely To…” written by Joan Rivers, showcased her ability to transform and captivate audiences with her depth and range.

Her career-defining role as Betty Rizzo in “Grease” solidified her status as a beloved icon, earning her the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture Supporting Actress​​. Channing starred in the 1978 movie, which became the highest-grossing musical in Hollywood history, alongside John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, and Jeff Conaway.

Channing’s career is punctuated with significant achievements and transitions, including her acclaimed performance in “Six Degrees of Separation,” which garnered her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination.

Her ability to seamlessly move between film, television, and theater, earning accolades such as the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg,” underscores her exceptional talent and adaptability.

Despite the accolades and recognition, Channing’s personal life has been equally eventful and transformative. During an exclusive interview in 2006, Channing opened up about her experiences with love at first sight, the challenges of fame in personal relationships, and the lessons learned from her divorces.

“I haven’t ever fallen in love with a leading man. I think it’s nice if you have a warm connection with them, but it’s not advisable to sleep with them. Warren Beatty told me that,” expressed the “Where the Heart Is” alum.

Channing also shared her thoughts on divorce and being in a long-term relationship. “What have I learned from my divorces? I know that nobody gets married to get divorced. I don’t think I’ll get married another time. I’ve been living with my partner [cinematographer Daniel Gillham] for over 20 years, so… It would feel quite silly, actually,” added the “Maryland” actress.

The “Sweet Revenge” actress, who has been married four times, with all of her unions ending in divorce and no children, experienced sheer heartbreak and loss when she lost her long-time partner, Gillham, in 2014.

Following his demise, the “Practical Magic” actress took a huge step to move to a new country at the age of 75 towards the end of 2019. Before that, Channing resided in Maine with Gillham, with whom she had been in a relationship for 25 years.

During a 2018 interview on “Lorraine,” Channing conveyed her inclination towards theater over film and television, emphasizing her fervor for the live performance aspect of acting. She rationalized her preference by underscoring her affection for the immediacy and the connection with the audience that theater offers.

“Just needs a partial face lift. Too many injections. Bad Dr…She’s still pretty [sic]..” said one Twitter user. “What has she done to her face?! 😱” wondered another shocked commenter.

“Ohhhh ohhhh poppet why as yourself self you aged so wonderfully why have surgery poppet [sic],” quipped another user. “What has she done to her face!!! 😳😱 such a shame…,” noted yet another netizen.

Following the controversial comments about her changed look, Channing’s public appearances became sporadic. Channing was spotted at the premiere of “Medea,” featuring Sophie Okonedo and Ben Daniels, under the direction of Dominic Cooke. This event took place at a newly opened West End theatre in London, England, on February 17, 2023.