Olivia and Michael Beck - Popfoto

Translation from Dutch:

They look at each other, madly in love: Olivia Newton-John and her Xanadu co-star, Michael Beck. Their eyes sparkle as they whisper sweet nothings to each other (between takes). Everyone knows, everyone feels it. But still, they're very secretive about their relationship, and Olivia doesn't want to admit that Michael is her new boyfriend... ?

Michael Beck, tall, slim and blond, can't be kept away from Olivia, even after filming for Xanadu. Olivia, who has returned to filming after her success in Grease, has found a new love in him.

Although he has appeared in several films that were also shown in our country, Michael is still relatively unknown. He is now 31 years old and was born, to be precise, on February 4, 1949, in Memphis, Tennessee, as the third of nine children. My own mother, Betty, divorced my father when I was very young, Michael says as he lights a cigarette.

Nevertheless, I had a happy childhood with my father, who soon remarried. We formed a close-knit family with five boys and three girls. As a child, Michael already showed an interest in theater. With a few friends, he performed plays for a real audience. In high school, an acquaintance advised him to join the drama club. A few weeks later he played Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet. Lance Goss, the head of the club, encouraged me to pursue formal theatre training in England.

I hadn't seen my family for three years, Michael continues. He seemed quite impressed with my attempt and saw a future for me. In 1971 I left for London.

The training lasted three years and during that time Michael lost his flat southern accent. He hung around in England for another two years to gain practical experience in various theatre companies. I hadn't seen my family during that time. I missed them very much and decided to go home.

Once home, Michael was unable to find a job as an actor. To earn some money, he temporarily worked as a carpenter.

After a few months, he left for New York and visited Joan Uttal, an acquaintance he had met at drama school. She first and foremost provided him with a good manager who would look after his affairs. This manager immediately took charge of things.

Five weeks later, Michael played his first role in the film Madman, shot entirely in Israel. He could be admired again in Holocaust. This series was followed by The Warriors, in which Michael actually got a leading role. In it, he plays the leader of one of the street gangs that fight among themselves and make the city unsafe. Voyage of the Mayflower was Michael's next film.

And now I have a leading role, together with Olivia and Gene Kelly, in Xanadu, the blonde star continues. Producer Larry Gordon, who had seen my previous films, thought I was suitable for this one. He sent me the script to read and I signed the contract shortly after.

Olivia Newton-John completely agreed with Larry Gordon's choice. Although she and Michael are quite secretive about their relationship, it's clear to us that something's brewing.

But why the mystery? We discovered that Michael is engaged to Cari Kappel, an American singer and songwriter. After the recording of Xanadu, they were going to get married. Now Miss Newton-John has stuck her pretty nose in between them, which Cari Kappel probably won't appreciate.

The choice is now up to Michael. Will he break with his fiancée and continue his life with Olivia, or will things turn out differently after all?

Popfoto will keep you informed!