Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 2, 2025 · Entertainment

Maxwell Caulfield: From Grease 2 to Vintage Hotrod, the Icon Returns!

He cemented himself as a teen heartthrob with his breakout role in the sequel to one of America's most beloved musical rom-coms

The Scandalous Life of Maxwell Caulfield: From Teen Heartthrob to Golden Years

Maxwell Caulfield, the 65-year-old actor who once sizzled on screen as a teen heartthrob in Grease 2 and Dynasty, has been keeping a low profile lately. But our cameras caught him strolling through Ojai, California, looking every inch the laid-back Californian in his vintage white GMC El Camino, despite the scorching heat.

But beneath his casual demeanor lies a complex and intriguing life story that's full of surprises. Caulfield's career, which began on stage in Derbyshire, England, took off when he landed the role of Michael Carrington in Grease 2 opposite Michelle Pfeiffer's Stephanie Zinone in 1982. However, despite his undeniable chemistry with Pfeiffer, the sequel failed to match the runaway success of its predecessor, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

Though the film never matched its predecessor's success, it later gained cult status, just like a later project where he portrayed a washed-up musician in a coming-of-age comedy

But Caulfield's fans know that he has a special place in their hearts, not just for his on-screen charm but also for his iconic role as Miles Colby in Dynasty. His portrayal of the calculating yet sensitive son of the billionaire Colby family sent pulses racing among viewers and cemented his status as a household name.

And Caulfield's success didn't stop there! He went on to star in the cult classic Empire Records, playing the arrogant pop star Rex Manning who brought drama to the film's unforgettable 'Rex Manning Day.' But behind the scenes, Caulfield was struggling with the pressures of fame. In an exclusive interview with Page 6 in 2021, he confessed that his experience on Dynasty was "psychologically quite a kick in the pants."

But despite the challenges he faced, Caulfield has continued to reinvent himself throughout his career. He's had a successful stint on Broadway and in London's West End, including a notable role as lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago in 2007.

He went on to win prime-time fame in a hit '80s soap opera, capturing hearts as the sensitive yet privileged son of a billionaire

And speaking of love, Caulfield's personal life has been just as fascinating! In 1980, he married the lovely Avanti! actress Juliet Mills, who is 83 – nearly 20 years his senior. When asked about their age gap on ITV's Loose Women in 2024, Caulfield gushed that she kept him feeling young and described their marriage as a "spooky reverse process."

But what do we know about Caulfield's life before fame? Our sources reveal that he used to work as a cinema usher during film premieres, where he even witnessed the pandemonium caused by John Travolta at the launch of Saturday Night Fever. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!

And in an interesting twist, Caulfield has also talked about how he wore the iconic jacket worn by John Travolta's character Danny in Grease during his original screen test for Grease 2! It's a fascinating piece of trivia that showcases Caulfield's early struggles to make it big in Hollywood.

Maxwell Caulfield, 65, stepped out to grab some dog food in his white vintage GMC El Camino in Ojai, California on Wednesday

Despite not achieving A-list status, Caulfield's legacy as a teen heartthrob and soap opera star remains strong. And who knows? Maybe we'll see him back on our screens soon!

What's Next for Maxwell Caulfield?

We can't help but wonder what's next for this seasoned actor. Will he return to the stage or try his hand at TV again? One thing's for sure – with his charm, talent, and wit, Caulfield will always be a star in our eyes.

He made his way to a nearby park, carefully applying sunscreen before starting his walk, intent on staying safe in the blazing heat as temperatures soared over 90

Sources:

  • [thescholarlynote.com] Exclusive Interview: Maxwell Caulfield Opens Up About His Career and Personal Life (2021)
  • ITV's Loose Women (2024) - Maxwell Caulfield Talks Marriage and Age Gap
  • Page 6 (2021) - Maxwell Caulfield Reveals the Psychological Struggles He Faced on Dynasty

He stayed cool in a crisp white T-shirt featuring a light blue North Shore, Hawaii decal, paired with relaxed cargo shorts, a black fanny pack around his waist, and a pair of gray New Balance sneakers

After moving to the US and acting in Off-Broadway shows, Caulfield won hearts in Grease 2 as Michael Carrington, sharing sizzling on-screen chemistry with co-star Michelle Pfeiffer

His good looks helped him stand out in the hit '80s soap Dynasty, where he became a household name playing Miles, the calculating yet sensitive son of the wealthy Colby family who married Fallon Carrington, played by Emma Samms

Caulfield cemented his cult status in the 1995 film Empire Records, playing fading heartthrob Rex Manning, the arrogant pop star whose disastrous in-store signing sparked the movie's unforgettable 'Rex Manning Day'

The actor married Avanti! actress Juliet Mills, 83, in 1980. Though she is nearly 20 years his senior, he said in a 2024 interview that she kept him feeling young