Michelle Pfeiffer has graced the big screen in classic films like Scarface, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and Up Close and Personal. Her leading men have included outstanding actors such as Al Pacino and the late Robert Redford. Today, Pfeiffer has a prominent role in the popular TV drama The Madison. However, back in the day when she was starting out, the celebrated actress had some shaky moments. Some of the most notable ones came when she auditioned for the role of Stephanie Zinone in Grease 2. It was the follow-up to Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta's sublime 1978 musical blockbuster.
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Three years ago, Michelle Pfeiffer reflected on the cult-y 1982 film sequel for an oral history of it in Entertainment Weekly. It helped to launch her career.
Pfeiffer Seemingly Expected To Bomb the Audition
Talk about low expectations! Michelle Pfeiffer thought she had no chance of being the lucky one who got the role of Stephanie. She admitted as much. "I had zero expectations of landing this part. My agent sent me on it, honestly, I think, just for the experience. It was such a cattle call — there were actors and dancers and singers everywhere hanging out, coming in and out auditioning, and there were very thin walls...I was not a singer... And I certainly was not a dancer."
Despite Her Lack of Dancing Skill, She Gamely Tried Anyway
Pfeiffer was hard-pressed to excel when she had to dance for the Grease 2 casting folks. Nevertheless, it turned out far better than she had even hoped.
She candidly told the outlet, "...I couldn't remember the choreography. I left with my tail between my legs, feeling so humiliated. And somebody's assistant, I think it was Pat Birch's assistant, ran after me across the Paramount studio lot. I said something about being really embarrassed and she said, "Well, you shouldn't be because she wants you to come back tomorrow."
In important ways, she was clearly ideal for the plum part. Pfeiffer said, "Stephanie was not a huge stretch. She's way sassier than I am, but I have that part of my personality that can come out every now and then."
