John Travolta Bio
John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is an American actor. He began acting in television before transitioning into a leading man in films. His accolades include a Primetime Emmy Award and three Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards. Travolta rose to fame with hit films in the 1970s and has since maintained a prominent career in Hollywood, recognized for his versatile performances in both film and television.
Early Life and Background
The youngest of six children, John Travolta was born and raised in Englewood, an inner-ring suburb of New York City in Bergen County, New Jersey. His father, Salvatore “Sam” Travolta, was a semiprofessional American football player turned tire salesman and partner in a tire company, Travolta Tire Exchange. His mother, Helen Cecilia (née Burke), was an actress and singer who had appeared in The Sunshine Sisters, a radio vocal group, and acted and directed before becoming a high school drama and English teacher. His siblings Joey, Ellen, Ann, Margaret, and Sam Travolta were all inspired by their mother’s love of theater and drama and became actors. Travolta grew up in an Irish-American neighborhood and was raised Catholic, but later converted to Scientology in 1975 at age 21. He attended Dwight Morrow High School but dropped out as a junior at age 17 in 1971.
Path to Hollywood
After dropping out of school, Travolta moved across the Hudson River to New York City and landed a role in the touring company of the musical Grease as Doody and on Broadway in Over Here!, singing the Sherman Brothers’ song “Dream Drummin'”. He then moved to Los Angeles for professional reasons. Travolta’s first screen role in California was as a fall victim in Emergency! (Season 2, Episode 2) in September 1972, but his first significant movie role was as Billy Nolan, a bully in the horror film Carrie (1976) directed by Brian de Palma. Around that time, he landed his star-making role as Vinnie Barbarino in the ABC TV sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter (1975–1979), in which his sister, Ellen, also occasionally appeared. Travolta had a hit single titled “Let Her In”, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in July 1976. In the next few years, he starred in the television movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble and two of his most noted screen roles: Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Danny Zuko in Grease (1978). The films were among the most commercially successful pictures of the decade and catapulted Travolta to international stardom.
John Travolta Career
Early Career (1972–1979)
After dropping out of school, Travolta moved to New York City and began his career in theater and television. His breakthrough came with the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, which showcased his comedic talent and charisma. He starred in the film Saturday Night Fever, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, making him one of the youngest performers ever nominated for the award. His success continued with Grease, which solidified his status as a leading man in Hollywood.
Breakthrough (1980s)
Travolta followed up Urban Cowboy with a starring role in Brian de Palma’s 1981 film Blow Out, which was critically lauded but a box office disappointment. He starred in Staying Alive, the 1983 sequel to Saturday Night Fever, which was a financial success, grossing over $65 million. In 1989, Travolta starred with Kirstie Alley in Look Who’s Talking, which grossed $297 million, making it his most successful film since Grease.
Breakthrough (1990s)
Travolta’s career was revived when he played Vincent Vega in Quentin Tarantino’s hit Pulp Fiction (1994), for which he received an Academy Award nomination. This film shifted him back onto the A-list, leading to notable roles in films such as Get Shorty, Broken Arrow, and Face/Off.
Notable Works and Milestones
Travolta’s signature works include Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction, both of which earned him critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. He won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for his performance in Get Shorty.
John Travolta Award Nominations
Throughout his career, John Travolta has received multiple award nominations, including two Academy Award nominations for Best Actor for his performances in Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction.
John Travolta Awards Won
John Travolta has won several prestigious awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Get Shorty. He has also received a Primetime Emmy Award and has been recognized for his contributions to the film industry.
John Travolta Family
John Travolta was married to actress Kelly Preston from 1991 until her passing in 2020. They had three children together: Jett, who passed away in 2009, Ella Bleu, born in 2000, and Benjamin, born in 2010.
Personal Life
Travolta was in a relationship with actress Diana Hyland until her death in 1977. He has also dated other actresses, including Catherine Deneuve and Marilu Henner. Following the death of his wife Kelly Preston in July 2020, Travolta expressed his intention to take time off from his career to focus on his children. Travolta is also a private pilot and has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including relief work after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
