Stockard Channing was in films.
Grease is a 1978 American musical romantic comedy film based on Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey 's musical of the same name . Directed by Randal Kleiser and written by Bronte Woodard , the film stars John Travolta as Danny , Olivia Newton-John as Sandy and Stockard Channing as Betty Rizzo . Stockard Channing . She is known for playing Betty Rizzo in the film Grease ( 1978 ) and First Lady Abbey Bartlet on the NBC television series The West Wing ( 1999 -- 2006 ) . Up Close & Personal is a 1996 American romantic drama film directed by Jon Avnet , and starring Robert Redford as a news director and Michelle Pfeiffer as his protegée , with Stockard Channing , Joe Mantegna , and Kate Nelligan in supporting roles .