Maxwell Caulfield Reflects on “Grease 2” and His Career

When Maxwell Caulfield first saw Michelle Pfeiffer on the set of “Grease 2,” he felt that he wasn’t just going to fall for her charm. Caulfield, who played Michael Carrington in the 1982 movie, is gearing up to celebrate his wife, Juliet Mills, during Cinema Labor Day weekend festivities in Hollywood. Looking back, he shared that portraying Pfeiffer’s love interest wasn’t too complicated for him.

He remarked, “Our dynamic was hardly like the iconic relationship John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John had in the original. They were deeply in love, naturally, while Michelle and I were just, well, pretending to be in love.” He added that both actors were married and that helped shape their on-screen chemistry.

“Michelle is kind of like a sphinx,” he said with a laugh, “always keeping an air of mystery.” Despite their platonic relationship on set, both shared concerns about the potential fame that awaited them, reminiscent of Travolta and Newton-John’s surge in popularity in 1978.

“We were both a bit anxious about the possibility of becoming stars,” he continued. “And we’d often discuss the ups and downs that come with unexpected fame. It’s a wild ride, really.”

Caulfield had reason to believe he would make a big name for himself. After all, even Tom Cruise considered auditioning for the same role. But, as fate would have it, Caulfield was the one who landed the part.

Unfortunately, when “Grease 2” hit theaters alongside heavy hitters like “E.T.,” it didn’t quite measure up. Songs from the movie didn’t resonate, and critics were harsh. Looking back, Caulfield noted, “When the movie fizzled at the box office, I felt a bit lost, while Michelle soared to stardom with films like ‘Scarface.’”

Despite the competition and his struggles, he has no bitterness toward Pfeiffer. “It’s tough to watch her succeed while I was swimming against the current, but there’s admiration there, definitely,” he shared. “I always wanted to present that sparkling image of stardom. Even now, I tell younger actors how crucial it is to manage these expectations.”

Still, he expressed a desire to work with Pfeiffer again someday. “She’s such a talented and generous actress. In a world filled with movie stars, she truly stands out,” he said, reflecting on their past together.

Caulfield’s career wasn’t solely defined by “Grease 2.” He later starred in the series “Colby” and made a splash in the cult classic “Empire Records” as Rex Manning. The film didn’t do well initially but has since garnered a loyal following, even leading to an annual celebration known as “Rex Manning Day.”

These days, Caulfield is back on stage, performing in “The Lost Gospel of Pontius Pilate.” He cherishes the theater, along with his long-standing marriage to Juliet Mills, whom he calls a significant influence in his life.

“We’ve never had a falling out,” he shared about their relationship, expressing gratitude. “It’s that sort of admiration that keeps us strong—after all, why would I ever look elsewhere when I have a fantastic partner at home?”