"Travolta" redirects here. For other people with the same surname, see Travolta (surname).
John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is an American actor, dancer, and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease. Travolta's acting career declined through the 1980s. 
His career enjoyed a resurgence in the 1990s with his role in Pulp Fiction, and he has since continued starring in more recent films such as Face/Off, Swordfish, and Wild Hogs. Travolta was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction. He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance in Get Shorty. In 2014, he has received the IIFA Award for Outstanding Achievement in International Cinema at the 15th IIFA Awards held at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, in the United States. 
Early life:
Travolta, the youngest of six children, was born and raised in Englewood, New Jersey, an inner-ring suburb of New York City. His father, Salvatore Travolta (November 1912 - May 1995), was a semi-professional American football player turned tire salesman and partner in a tire company. His mother, Helen Cecilia (née Burke, January 1912 - December 1978), 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, have all acted. His father was a second-generation Italian American and his mother was Irish American; he grew up in an Irish-American neighborhood and has said that his household was predominantly Irish in culture. He was raised Roman Catholic, but converted to Scientology in 1975. Travolta attended Dwight Morrow High School, but dropped out as a junior at age 17 in 1971. 
Career:
Early career:
After attending Dwight Morrow High School, Travolta moved across the Hudson River to New York City and landed a role in the touring company of the musical Grease and on Broadway in Over Here!, singing the Sherman Brothers' song "Dream Drummin'". He then moved to Los Angeles to further his career in show business. 
Travolta's first California-filmed television role was as a fall victim in, Emergency! (S2E2), in September 1972, but his first significant movie role was as Billy Nolan, a bully who was goaded into playing a prank on Sissy Spacek's character in the horror film, Carrie (1976). Around the same time, he landed his star-making role as Vinnie Barbarino in the TV sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-1979), in which his sister, Ellen, also occasionally appeared (as Arnold Horshack's mother). The show aired on ABC. 
1970s stardom:
Travolta had a hit single entitled "Let Her In", peaking at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in July 1976. In the next few years, he appeared in two of his most noted screen roles: Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever (1977) and as Danny Zuko in Grease (1978). The films were among the most commercially successful pictures of the decade and catapulted Travolta to international stardom.Saturday Night Fever earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. At age 24, Travolta became one of the youngest performers ever nominated for the Best Actor Oscar. His mother and his sister Ann appeared as extras in Saturday Night Fever and his sister Ellen appeared as a waitress in Grease. Travolta performed several of the songs on the Grease soundtrack album. In 1980, Travolta inspired a nationwide country music craze that followed on the heels of his hit film, Urban Cowboy, in which he starred with Debra Winger. 
Downturn:
After Urban Cowboy, Travolta starred in a series of financial and critical failures that sidelined his acting career. These included Perfect, co-starring Jamie Lee Curtis, and Two of a Kind, a romantic comedy reteaming him with Olivia Newton-John. During that time he was offered, but turned down, lead roles in what would become box office hits, including American Gigolo and An Officer and a Gentleman, both of which went to Richard Gere. 
Resurgence:
In 1989, Travolta starred with Kirstie Alley in Look Who's Talking, which grossed $297,000,000, making it his most successful film since Grease. Travolta continued to the two sequels Look Who's Talking Too (1990) and Look Who's Talking Now (1993). But it was not until he played Vincent Vega in Quentin Tarantino's hit Pulp Fiction (1994), for which he received an Academy Award nomination, that his career revived. The movie shifted him back onto the A-list, and he was inundated with offers. Notable roles following Pulp Fiction include a movie-buff loan shark in Get Shorty (1995), an FBI agent and terrorist in Face/Off (1997), a desperate attorney in A Civil Action (1998), a Bill Clinton-esque presidential candidate in Primary Colors (1998), and a military investigator in The General's Daughter (1999). 
2000-present:
Travolta also starred in and co-produced Battlefield Earth (2000), based on a work of science fiction by L. Ron Hubbard, in which he played the leader of a group of aliens that enslaves humanity on a bleak future Earth. The film received almost universally negative reviews and did very poorly at the box office. In 2007, he starred in Wild Hogs and played Mrs. Edna Turnblad in the remake of Hairspray, his first musical since Grease. In 2008 he lent his voice for the film Bolt, in which he played the title role. Similarly, he is to play the voice of Gummy Bear in the animated film release scheduled for late 2015, "Gummy Bear The Movie 3D", a film that may be noted more for its associated merchandise revenues. 
Personal life:
Relationships:
Travolta was in a relationship with actress Diana Hyland, whom he met while filming The Boy in the Plastic Bubble; Hyland died of breast cancer in 1977. 
Travolta married actress Kelly Preston in 1991. The couple had a son, Jett (April 13, 1992 - January 2, 2009). Their daughter, Ella Bleu, was born in 2000 and a third child, a son named Benjamin, was born in 2010 in Florida. Travolta and Preston have regularly attended marriage counseling; Travolta has stated that therapy has helped the marriage. 
In May 2012, an anonymous masseur filed a lawsuit against Travolta citing claims of sexual assault and battery. A lawyer for Travolta said that the allegations were "complete fiction and fabrication" and someone wanting their 15 minutes of fame. Travolta's counsel also stated that his client would be able to prove that he was not in California on the day in question and asserted that Travolta would "sue the attorney and Plaintiff for malicious prosecution" after getting the case thrown out. A second masseur later joined the lawsuit making similar claims. Both lawsuits were subsequently dropped by the complainants and dismissed without prejudice. 
A judge ruled to dismiss a defamation lawsuit against Travolta and his attorney Marty Singer by writer Robert Randolph. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Malcolm Mackey dismissed the case on September 27, 2012, because he found that a letter, written by Singer in response to allegations in a book by Randolph, had free speech protection. 
In September 2014, Travolta denied claims made in January 2014 by his former pilot, Douglas Gotterba, that they had shared a sexual relationship while working for Travolta's aircraft company, Alto, for six years before leaving voluntarily in 1987. Gotterba argued that he was not bound by any confidentiality agreement during his term in the position. 
Son's death:
In 2009, Travolta's son, Jett, died while on a Christmas vacation in The Bahamas. A Bahamian death certificate was issued, attributing the cause of death to a seizure. Jett, who had a troubled history of seizures, reportedly suffered from Kawasaki disease at the age of two. Travolta confirmed speculation that his son had autism and suffered regular seizures and immediately made his public statements while giving testimony after a multi-million dollar extortion plot against him in connection to his son's death. After a mistrial, Travolta dropped the charges and has credited his immediate family and faith in helping him survive the premature death of his son and in moving forward with his film career. 
Religion:
Travolta has been a practitioner of Scientology since 1975 when he was given the book Dianetics while filming the movie The Devil's Rain in Durango, Mexico. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, joining other celebrities in helping with the relief efforts, Travolta flew his 707 full of supplies, doctors, and Scientologist Volunteer Ministers into the disaster area. 
Pilot:
Travolta is an accomplished private pilot, with multiple certifications and extensive experience. He owns five aircraft, including an ex-Qantas Boeing 707-138 airliner that bears the name Jett Clipper Ella in honor of his children.Pan American World Airways was a large operator of the Boeing 707 and used Clipper in its names. The 707 aircraft bears the marks of Qantas, as Travolta acts as an official goodwill ambassador for the airline wherever he flies. 
His $4.9 million estate in the Jumbolair subdivision in Ocala, Florida, is situated on Greystone Airport with its own runway and taxiway right to his house, with two outbuildings for covered access to planes. 
On November 24, 1992, Travolta was piloting his Gulfstream N728T at night above a solid undercast, when he experienced a total electrical system failure, while flying under instrument flight rules into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. During the emergency landing, he almost had a mid-air collision with a USAir Boeing 727, an event attributed to a risky decision by an air traffic controller. 
On September 13, 2010, during the first episode of the final season of her talk show, Oprah Winfrey announced that she would be taking her entire studio audience on an 8-day expenses-paid trip to Australia, with Travolta serving as pilot for the trip. He had helped Winfrey plan the trip for more than a year. 
He is the author of the book Propeller One-Way Night Coach, the story of the young Jeff's first flight. 
Filmography:
Film
Year
Title
Role
Notes
 1975 
Tenth Level, TheThe Tenth Level 
John 
TV movie 
 1975 
Devil's Rain, TheThe Devil's Rain 
Danny 
1976 
Boy in the Plastic Bubble, TheThe Boy in the Plastic Bubble 
Tod Lubitch 
TV movie, 
Nominated--TV Land Award, 
1976 
Carrie 
Billy Nolan 
1977 
Saturday Night Fever 
Tony Manero 
National Board of Review Award for Best Actor, 
Nominated--Academy Award for Best Actor, 
Nominated--Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, 
3rd place--National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor, 
3rd place--New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor, 
1978 
Moment by Moment 
Strip Harrison 
1978 
Grease 
Daniel "Danny" Zuko 
Henrietta Award - World Film Favorite Actor, 
Nominated--Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, 
1980 
Urban Cowboy 
Buford 'Bud' Uan Davis 
1981 
Blow Out 
Jack Terry 
1983 
Staying Alive 
Tony Manero 
1983 
Two of a Kind 
Zack Melon 
1985 
Perfect 
Adam Lawrence 
1987 
Basements 
Ben 
TV segment "The Dumb Waiter" 
 1989 
Look Who's Talking 
James Ubriacco 
1989 
Experts, TheThe Experts 
Travis 
1990 
Look Who's Talking Too 
James Ubriacco 
1991 
Shout 
Jack Cabe 
1991 
Eyes of an Angel 
Bobby 
aka The Tender 
 1991 
Chains of Gold 
Scott Barnes 
TV movie; also writer 
 1992 
Boris and Natasha: The Movie 
Himself 
cameo 
 1993 
Look Who's Talking Now 
James Ubriacco 
1994 
Pulp Fiction 
Vincent Vega 
MTV Movie Award for Best Dance Sequence (shared with Uma Thurman), 
David di Donatello Award for Best Foreign Actor, 
London Critics Circle Film Award for Actor of the Year, 
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor, 
Stockholm International Film Festival for Best Actor, 
Nominated--Academy Award for Best Actor, 
Nominated--BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, 
Nominated--Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor, 
Nominated--Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor, 
Nominated--Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama, 
Nominated--MTV Movie Award for Best Performance, 
Nominated--MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo (shared with Samuel L. Jackson), 
3rd place--National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor, 
Nominated--Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, 
1995 
Get Shorty 
Chili Palmer 
American Comedy Award for Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role), 
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, 
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor, 
Nominated--Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, 
1995 
White Man's Burden 
Louis Pinnock 
1996 
Michael 
Michael 
1996 
Phenomenon 
George Malley 
1996 
Orientation: A Scientology Information Film 
Himself 
short subject 
 1996 
Broken Arrow 
Maj. Vic 'Deak' Deakins 
Nomination--MTV Movie Award for Best Villain, 
Nomination--MTV Movie Award for Best Fight (shared with Christian Slater) 
 1997 
Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's 
Himself 
documentary 
 1997 
Mad City 
Sam Baily 
1997 
Face/Off 
Sean Archer/Castor Troy 
MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo (shared with Nicolas Cage), 
Nomination--Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor - Action/Adventure, 
Nomination--MTV Movie Award for Best Performance, 
Nomination--MTV Movie Award for Best Villain (shared with Nicolas Cage), 
Nomination--Saturn Award for Best Actor, 
1997 
She's So Lovely 
Joey Giamonti 
also executive producer 
 1998 
Civil Action, AA Civil Action 
Jan Schlichtmann 
1998 
Thin Red Line, TheThe Thin Red Line 
Brigadier General Quintard 
Satellite Special Achievement Award for Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble 
 1998 
Junket Whore 
Himself 
documentary 
 1998 
Primary Colors 
Governor Jack Stanton 
Nomination--Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy 
 1999 
General's Daughter, TheThe General's Daughter 
Warr. Off. Paul Brenner/Sgt. Frank White 
1999 
Our Friend, Martin 
Kyle's dad 
animated educational film, voice only 
 2000 
Battlefield Earth 
Terl 
Razzie Award for Worst Actor 
 2000 
Welcome to Hollywood 
Himself 
mockumentary; cameo 
 2001 
Domestic Disturbance 
Frank Morrison 
2001 
Swordfish 
Gabriel Shear 
2002 
Austin Powers in Goldmember 
"Austinpussy" Johann van der Smut (Goldmember) / Himself 
cameo 
 2003 
Basic 
Tom Hardy 
2004 
Ladder 49 
Captain Mike Kennedy 
2004 
Love Song for Bobby Long, AA Love Song for Bobby Long 
Bobby Long 
2004 
Punisher, TheThe Punisher 
Howard Saint 
2005 
Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D 
James Benson "Jim" Irwin 
narrator; documentary 
 2005 
Be Cool 
Chili Palmer 
2006 
Lonely Hearts 
Elmer C. Robinson 
2007 
Wild Hogs 
Woody Stevens 
2007 
Hairspray 
Edna Turnblad 
Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast, 
Hollywood Film Festival for Ensemble of the Year, 
Hollywood Film Festival for Supporting Actor of the Year, 
Nominated--Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture, 
Nominated--Palm Springs International Film Festival Ensemble Cast Award, 
Nominated--Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, 
2008 
Bolt 
Bolt 
voice 
 2009 
Taking of Pelham 123, TheThe Taking of Pelham 123 
Benard Ryder 
2009 
Old Dogs 
Charlie Reed 
2010 
From Paris with Love 
Charlie Wax 
2012 
Savages 
Dennis 
2013 
Killing Season 
Emil Kovac 
2015 
Gummy Bear The Movie 3D 
Gummy Bear 
voice 
 2015 
Criminal Activities 
Eddie 
Post-production 
 2015 
In a Valley of Violence 
The Marshal 
Post-production 
 Television
Year
Title
Role
Notes
 1972 
Emergency! 
Chuck Benson 
Episode: "Kids" 
 1972 
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law 
Episode: "A Piece of God" 
 1973 
Rookies, TheThe Rookies 
Eddie Halley 
Episode: " Frozen Smoke" 
 1974 
Medical Center 
Danny 
Episode: "Saturday's Child" 
 1975-1979 
Welcome Back, Kotter 
Vincent "Vinnie" Barbarino 
Main Role (Seasons 1-3) / Special Guest Star (Season 4); 79 episodes