John Travolta

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American actor and singer

John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is an American actor and singer. He first gained fame in the 1970s, appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter (1975–1979) and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978). His acting career declined through the 1980s, but he enjoyed a resurgence in the 1990s with his role in Pulp Fiction (1994), and he has since starred in films such as Get Shorty (1995), Face/Off (1997), and Hairspray (2007).

Early life

John Travolta was born in Englewood, New Jersey, the youngest of six children. His father, Salvatore Travolta, was a semi-professional football player turned tire salesman, and his mother, Helen Cecilia, 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. Travolta grew up in an Irish-American neighborhood and was raised as a Roman Catholic, although he later converted to Scientology in 1975.

Career

1970s: Rise to fame

Travolta's first screen role was in the television series Emergency! in 1972. He gained significant attention with his role as Vinnie Barbarino in the hit TV series Welcome Back, Kotter. His breakthrough film role was as Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor nomination. He solidified his status as a leading man with his role as Danny Zuko in the musical film Grease.

1980s: Career decline

The 1980s were a challenging period for Travolta, with several box office disappointments such as Two of a Kind (1983) and Perfect (1985). Despite these setbacks, he continued to work steadily in both film and television.

1990s: Resurgence

Travolta's career experienced a resurgence with his role as Vincent Vega in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. This role earned him a second Academy Award nomination and revitalized his career. He followed this success with notable performances in Get Shorty, Broken Arrow (1996), and Face/Off.

2000s–present

In the 2000s, Travolta continued to work in a variety of genres, including the musical Hairspray, where he played Edna Turnblad. He also starred in Wild Hogs (2007) and Bolt (2008). More recently, he has appeared in films such as The Forger (2014) and Gotti (2018).

Personal life

Travolta married actress Kelly Preston in 1991, and they had three children: Jett, Ella Bleu, and Benjamin. Tragically, Jett passed away in 2009. Kelly Preston died in 2020 after a battle with breast cancer. Travolta is a licensed pilot and owns several aircraft.

Filmography

Main article: John Travolta filmography

• Saturday Night Fever (1977)
• Grease (1978)
• Pulp Fiction (1994)
• Get Shorty (1995)
• Face/Off (1997)
• Hairspray (2007)
• Gotti (2018)

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by John Travolta

• Academy Award for Best Actor (nominated)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (won)

Related pages

• Welcome Back, Kotter
• Saturday Night Fever
• Grease (film)
• Pulp Fiction
• Get Shorty (film)
• Face/Off
• Hairspray (2007 film)

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