50 Facts About John Travolta

Early Life and Family Background

John Travolta's journey to stardom began in a modest household with a rich cultural heritage. His early life was shaped by his family's diverse background and strong ties to the performing arts.

1. Early Life: John Joseph Travolta was born on February 18, 1954, in Englewood, New Jersey. He was the youngest of six children in his family.

2. Family Background: His father, Salvatore Travolta, was a semi-professional football player who later became a tire salesman. His mother, Helen Cecilia (née Burke), was an actress and singer who performed with The Sunshine Sisters, a radio vocal group.

3. Ethnicity: Travolta's father was a second-generation Italian American, while his mother was Irish American. This blend of cultures influenced his upbringing.

4. Religion: The Travolta family practiced Roman Catholicism, which played a significant role in their daily lives.

5. Interest in Performing: Travolta's interest in performing was nurtured by his mother, who was an actress and drama teacher. This early exposure to the arts set the stage for his future career.

Early Career and Breakthrough

Travolta's early career was marked by determination and a series of small roles that eventually led to his big break.

6. High School Dropout: At 16, Travolta dropped out of high school with his parents' approval to pursue an acting career.

7. Early Career: He started with commercials and small television roles before making his Off-Broadway debut in Rain in 1972.

8. Broadway Debut: Travolta toured in a minor role in Grease before making his Broadway debut in Over Here.

9. Breakthrough Role: He became a teen idol with the TV series Welcome Back, Kotter in 1975, playing Vinnie Barbarino, the head of the “sweathogs.”

10. Music Career: Travolta also ventured into music, achieving a chart hit with “Let Her In” in 1976 and releasing several pop albums.

Rise to Stardom

Travolta's rise to stardom was meteoric, with iconic roles that defined a generation.

11. The Boy in the Plastic Bubble: He starred in the television movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976), where he met Diana Hyland, who became his girlfriend until her death in 1977.

12. Saturday Night Fever: His role as Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever (1977) catapulted him to international fame, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

13. Grease: Travolta starred as Danny Zuko in the musical Grease, performing on the soundtrack album. The film became one of the most commercially successful pictures of the decade.

14. Urban Cowboy: In 1980, Travolta starred in Urban Cowboy, which sparked a nationwide country music craze and influenced popular culture.

Career Challenges and Personal Life

Despite early success, Travolta faced challenges in his career and personal life.

15. Decline in Popularity: After Urban Cowboy, Travolta's career faced a decline with films like Staying Alive (1983), Two of a Kind (1983), and Perfect (1985) not faring well.

16. Marriage to Kelly Preston: In 1991, Travolta married actress Kelly Preston. They had three children: Jett, Ella Bleu, and Benjamin. Tragically, Jett died in 2009 at age 16.

Career Rebound and Later Success

Travolta experienced a remarkable career resurgence in the 1990s and continued to find success in various roles.

17. Career Rebound: His career rebounded with his role in Pulp Fiction (1994), earning him another Academy Award nomination.

18. Pulp Fiction: Travolta played the philosophical hit-man Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction, receiving BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations and being named Best Actor by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.

19. Other Notable Films: His later notable films include Get Shorty (1995), Face/Off (1997), Primary Colors (1998), Swordfish (2001), and Hairspray (2007).

20. Awards and Nominations: Travolta has been nominated for two Academy Awards, eight Golden Globes, and two Emmy Awards. He won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy for Get Shorty.

Personal Interests and Hobbies

Beyond acting, Travolta has a variety of personal interests and hobbies that showcase his multifaceted personality.

21. Certified Pilot: Travolta is a certified pilot and owns five aircraft, including an ex-Australian Boeing 707–138 airliner named Jett Clipper Ella in honor of his children.

22. Real Estate: He owns a $4.9 million estate in the Jumbolair subdivision in Ocala, Florida, which includes Greystone Airport with its own runway and taxiway right to his front door.

23. Scientology: Travolta has been a practitioner of Scientology since 1975 when he was given the book Dianetics while filming The Devil's Rain in Durango, Mexico.

24. Philanthropy: Travolta supports various charitable activities, including the Jett Travolta Foundation, established in memory of his son Jett.

25. Personal Life: Travolta and Kelly Preston regularly attended marriage counseling, which he credits with helping their marriage.

Fun Facts and Trivia

Travolta's life is filled with interesting tidbits and fun facts that add to his intriguing persona.

26. Dancing Skills: He spent nine months learning how to dance to disco music while filming Saturday Night Fever (1977).

27. French Fluency: Travolta speaks French fluently.

28. Turned Down Roles: He turned down roles in Splash (1984), Apollo 13 (1995), and Forrest Gump (1994). Tom Hanks was cast in these films.

29. Princess Diana: In 1985, Princess Diana asked Travolta to dance at a party at the White House.

Recent Work and Recognition

Travolta continues to work steadily, earning recognition for his contributions to the entertainment industry.

30. Television Roles: In 2016, Travolta returned to television in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson, playing lawyer Robert Shapiro. He received a Primetime Emmy nomination for his performance.

31. Die Hart: Travolta starred in the comedic action series Die Hart (2020–23) alongside Kevin Hart, earning an Emmy nomination for his role as Ron Wilcox.

32. Golden Camera Award: In February 2011, Travolta received the prestigious Golden Camera Award for “Best Actor International” in Berlin, Germany.

33. International Indian Film Academy Award: In April 2014, Travolta was honored with the award for Outstanding Contribution to International Cinema by the International Indian Film Academy.

34. Chicago Film Critics Association Award: Travolta received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Film Critics and the Santa Barbara Film Festival for his performance in Hairspray.

35. Venice Film Festival: He and the film A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004) received rave reviews at the Venice Film Festival.

36. Golden Globe Nominations: Travolta received his sixth Golden Globe nomination for his role as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (2007).

37. Alan J. Pakula Award: In 1998, Travolta was honored with the Alan J. Pakula Award from the US Broadcast Critics Association for his performance in A Civil Action.

38. Britannia Award: In 1998, he received the Britannia Award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

39. Screen Actors Guild Awards: Travolta has been nominated for three Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performances in Pulp Fiction, Face/Off, and Get Shorty.

40. BAFTA Nominations: He has been nominated for a British Academy Film Award for his role in Pulp Fiction.

41. Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award: Travolta was named Best Actor by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for his role in Pulp Fiction.

42. HORZU Magazine: In February 2011, John was honored by Europe’s leading weekly program magazine HORZU with the prestigious Golden Camera Award for “Best Actor International” in Berlin, Germany.

43. IIFA Film Awards: In April 2014, John received global recognition when he was presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to International Cinema by the International Indian Film Academy at the 2014 IIFA Film Awards.

44. Chicago Film Critics Association: As a result of his performance in Hairspray, Travolta was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Chicago Film Critics and the Santa Barbara Film Festival.

45. Venice Film Festival: He and the film A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004) won rave reviews at the Venice Film Festival.

46. Golden Globe Nominations: Travolta received his sixth Golden Globe nomination for his role as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (2007).

47. Alan J. Pakula Award: In 1998, Travolta was honored with the Alan J. Pakula Award from the US Broadcast Critics Association for his performance in A Civil Action.

48. Britannia Award: In 1998, he received the Britannia Award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

49. Screen Actors Guild Awards: Travolta has been nominated for three Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performances in Pulp Fiction, Face/Off, and Get Shorty.

50. Legacy: John Travolta’s legacy extends beyond his acting career. He has become a cultural icon, influencing fashion, music, and dance trends throughout his career.

John Travolta: A Lasting Legacy

John Travolta's journey through Hollywood is nothing short of remarkable. From his early days as a teen idol in Welcome Back, Kotter to his iconic roles in Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction, Travolta has consistently captivated audiences. His versatility shines through in a wide range of genres, from musicals like Grease to intense dramas like A Civil Action. Beyond acting, Travolta's talents extend to music and aviation, making him a true Renaissance man. His dedication to his craft and ability to reinvent himself have solidified his status as a cultural icon. Despite personal tragedies and career ups and downs, Travolta's resilience and passion remain evident. His impact on popular culture, from dance floors to movie screens, ensures his legacy will endure for generations. John Travolta isn't just an actor; he's a symbol of enduring talent and charisma.