John Travolta

Who Is John Travolta?

John Travolta, born on February 18, 1954, in Englewood, New Jersey, is a renowned American actor, singer, and dancer. He rose to fame as Vinnie Barbarino in the popular TV series Welcome Back, Kotter, and solidified his status as a Hollywood icon through his roles in the blockbuster films Saturday Night Fever and Grease. After experiencing a decline in his career during the 1980s, Travolta made a remarkable comeback in 1994 with Pulp Fiction, which earned him his second Academy Award nomination. He went on to star in a diverse range of films, including Get Shorty, Primary Colors, Battlefield Earth, Wild Hogs, and American Crime Story.

Early Life

John Joseph Travolta was born to a family of entertainers, being the youngest of six children. Growing up in Englewood, New Jersey, he developed a passion for acting early on. By the age of 16, Travolta made the bold decision to leave high school to pursue his dream. His career began with a debut in the off-Broadway production Rain (1972), followed by his role in the Broadway cast of Grease as a replacement cast member. He later joined the original cast of the 1974 musical Over Here!, which featured notable performers such as Patty and Maxine Andrews and Marilu Henner.

Movies and TV Shows

‘Welcome Back, Kotter,’ ‘The Boy in the Plastic Bubble’

In 1975, John Travolta rose to prominence with his portrayal of Vinnie Barbarino in the hit TV series Welcome Back, Kotter, cementing his status as a teen heartthrob. The following year, he took on the lead role in the TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, a critically acclaimed film that showcased his versatility. In the movie, he starred alongside actress Diana Hyland, who played his mother. The two developed a romantic relationship, which tragically ended when Hyland passed away from cancer shortly after filming.

‘Saturday Night Fever’

Travolta’s career took a significant leap when he starred in the 1977 blockbuster Saturday Night Fever. Having previously appeared in horror films such as The Devil’s Rain (1975) and Carrie (1976), his performance as Tony Manero—a young man navigating life and love on the disco dance floor—became iconic. The role earned him an Academy Award nomination and solidified his place as a cultural figure representing the disco era of the late 1970s.

‘Grease’

The following year, Travolta starred in Grease, a musical that became an even greater success. As the cool yet love-stricken Danny opposite Olivia Newton-John’s Sandy, Travolta once again captivated audiences. Despite a modest production budget of $6 million, Grease went on to gross nearly $400 million globally, making it the highest-grossing live-action musical of all time.

‘Moment by Moment,’ ‘Two of a Kind,’ ‘Look Who’s Talking’

While Travolta’s career had been marked by a string of successes, the 1980s brought a series of less successful ventures. His collaboration with Lily Tomlin in the 1978 romantic drama Moment by Moment failed to make an impact, and despite a hit with Urban Cowboy (1980), his following projects didn’t resonate with audiences. Films like Staying Alive (1983), the sequel to Saturday Night Fever directed by Sylvester Stallone, and Two of a Kind (1983), in which he reunited with Newton-John, were met with lukewarm reception. Other films like Perfect (1985), co-starring Jamie Lee Curtis, also failed to reignite his previous box office success. Despite a brief revival in the Look Who’s Talking franchise, Travolta’s career seemed to have plateaued by the end of the decade, and he was at risk of being labeled a has-been actor.

Acclaim for Pulp Fiction and Get Shorty

In 1994, John Travolta achieved a remarkable career resurgence with his role in Quentin Tarantino’s iconic film Pulp Fiction. Portraying hitman Vincent Vega, Travolta earned his second Academy Award nomination, captivating audiences with memorable scenes, including a celebrated dance sequence with Uma Thurman. The following year, he garnered a Golden Globe for his performance in Get Shorty (1995), where he brought to life the charismatic, movie-loving loan shark Chili Palmer, a character from Elmore Leonard’s novel. Although its sequel, Be Cool (2005), received more muted reviews, it featured notable performances by Dwayne Johnson and Vince Vaughn.

Notable Films: Broken Arrow, Primary Colors, and Battlefield Earth

Travolta’s 1990s filmography includes standout roles in Broken Arrow (1996), Phenomenon (1996), and Primary Colors (1998), in which he skillfully portrayed a character inspired by President Bill Clinton. He closed the decade with The General’s Daughter (1999) before venturing into the new millennium with Battlefield Earth (2000). A passion project based on the sci-fi novel by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, the film was widely panned by critics.

Swordfish and Wild Hogs

Undeterred by setbacks, Travolta starred in the cyber-thriller Swordfish (2001), alongside Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, and Don Cheadle. Later projects included Love Song for Bobby Long (2004), Ladder 49 (2004), and the box-office hit Wild Hogs (2007), a comedic exploration of midlife crises and male camaraderie.

Gender-Bending Success in Hairspray

In 2007, Travolta returned to his musical roots with Hairspray, a film adaptation of the Broadway hit inspired by John Waters’ 1988 cult classic. Transforming into the vibrant and maternal Edna Turnblad with the help of wigs, makeup, and costumes, Travolta delivered a standout performance that earned him another Golden Globe nomination.

Voice Work, Action Roles, and Media Highlights

Travolta lent his voice to Disney’s animated feature Bolt (2008), portraying a heroic dog navigating unexpected challenges. He also co-performed the duet “I Thought I Lost You” with Miley Cyrus for the film’s credits. Subsequent roles included the comedic Old Dogs (2009) and the action-packed From Paris with Love (2010). In 2014, his mispronunciation of Idina Menzel’s name as “Adele Dazeem” at the Academy Awards became a widely discussed moment, prompting a humorous apology.

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Travolta’s role as defense attorney Robert Shapiro in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story marked a television triumph. Premiering in 2016, the FX anthology series earned widespread acclaim, and Travolta’s performance was recognized with a Golden Globe nomination.

Later Career: Gotti and Beyond

Travolta took on the lead role in Gotti (2018), a long-delayed biopic of mob boss John Gotti. Despite his efforts, the film was critically panned. He followed up with projects like the racing drama Trading Paint (2019) and the neo-noir The Poison Rose (2019).

Personal Life

Travolta married actress Kelly Preston in 1991. The couple had three children: Jett (1992–2009), Ella Bleu (born 2000), and Benjamin (born 2010). Preston passed away in 2020 after battling breast cancer for two years. Travolta has described fatherhood as a profound and fleeting joy, saying, “Kids are like lightning. You grab that lightning when you can get it.”

Family Tragedy

In January 2009, the Travolta family faced tragedy when their eldest son, Jett, died during a family vacation in the Bahamas due to a seizure. Sixteen months later, the family announced they were expecting another child, and their son Benjamin was born in November 2010.