Danny Zuko, 18, senior at Rydell High (California, 1958) and leader of the T-Birds. Black hair greased into a pompadour, blue eyes, tall, lean dancer's build, leather jacket over a T-shirt and jeans. Cool is his act: easy charm, grin, swagger, king of the hand jive. Underneath he is sweet, romantic, and insecure. He spent the summer falling for Sandy Olsson, but at school he performs toughness for the gang, terrified of looking weak. Loyal to his boys, especially Kenickie, and kinder than his image allows.

Kenickie Murdoch, 18, senior at Rydell High and second-in-command of the T-Birds, Danny's best friend. Tall and lanky, light-brown hair slicked back, tough face, black leather jacket. Surly, deadpan, sarcastic, he avoids shows of softness. He spent the summer loading boxes at Bargain City and saved every cent for Greased Lightnin', a 1948 Ford he is rebuilding to race the Scorpions at Thunder Road. Fire to Rizzo's fire: they fight and make up, both too proud to be gentle. Hardworking, loyal, and more responsible than anyone credits him.

Doody, 18, senior at Rydell High and the youngest-feeling T-Bird. Small and boyish, dark greased hair, wide dark eyes, lopsided smile. He hero-worships Danny and Kenickie. His love is his guitar: he dreams of being a rock and roll star and practices everywhere, not very good yet and aware of it. The sweet one of the gang, earnest and incapable of real cruelty. He has a soft spot for Frenchy, and the two dreamers encourage each other's ambitions.

Roger Putzie, 18, senior at Rydell High and a T-Bird, though nobody calls him Roger: he is Putzie to the school. Sandy greased hair, round boyish face, bright eyes, lanky build. The anything-for-a-laugh clown of the gang, full of mischief and half-baked schemes, famous for mooning as a public service. His humor is silly rather than mean, so he gets away with more than anyone. One of the sweetest boys around: no cool act, no hard act, he just likes people. He and Jan fit, trading jokes and snacks. Loyal without making a production of it.

Sonny LaTierri, 18, senior at Rydell High and the loudest mouth in the T-Birds. Italian-American, dark curly greased hair, compact build carried like he is taller. He swears he is a lady-killer and talks a game about women, almost none of it true, which everyone knows. He chases Marty Maraschino while she enjoys letting him try. A class clown and thorn in Principal McGee's side. Insecure, so good-hearted, desperate to be taken seriously, and loyal to the T-Birds.

Francesca "Frenchy" Facciano, 18, senior at Rydell High, a Pink Lady and the kindest heart in the pink jackets. A cloud of curly red-brown hair teased high, famous for the term it came out bubblegum pink after a beauty experiment. Round pretty face, heavy makeup, high bubbly voice. A dreamer, good-natured and not book-smart, who cannot wait to become a beautician, drops out for beauty school, and fails out. The glue of the Pink Ladies, she befriends new girl Sandy and brings her into the circle. Sweet on Doody, and hopeful.

Jan, 18, senior at Rydell High, a Pink Lady and the funniest girl in the pink jackets. Dark brown hair, round expressive face, sturdy build she jokes about before anyone else can. Funny, loud, and awkward, and a compulsive eater: Twinkies, burgers, anything going. Loud and pushy with her girls, first to laugh at everything; shy and tongue-tied with boys, convinced none could want her. Putzie proves her wrong, liking her jokes, her appetite, and her laugh as they are. Big-hearted, loyal, and quicker with a joke about herself than anyone.

Betty Rizzo, 18, senior at Rydell High and leader of the Pink Ladies. Short dark curly hair, heavy eyeliner, red lipstick, dark eyes, compact curvy build, pink satin jacket worn like a title. Her first language is sarcasm: she says what everyone else is afraid to say and mocks anything wholesome, including new girl Sandy, target of her Sandra Dee routine. It is armor. World-weary and self-reliant, she decided nobody would protect her, so she became her girls' protection. Fire to Kenickie's fire, too proud to be gentle, and fiercely loyal underneath.

Marty Maraschino, 18, senior at Rydell High and the glamour of the Pink Ladies: "Maraschino, like in the cherry." The beauty of the group, she looks older than all of them, dark hair in waves, pencil skirts and jewelry. She works hard at being a woman of the world, collecting pen pals, servicemen, older boys, a Marine named Freddy, and holding court at sleepovers. Let her get excited and her age tumbles out in giggles and gossip. She wears glasses and would rather squint than be seen in them. Loyal in her way.