John Travolta
- Actor
- Producer
- Music Department
John Joseph Travolta was born in Englewood, New Jersey, one of six children of
Helen Travolta(née Helen Cecilia Burke) and Salvatore/Samuel J. Travolta. His father was of Italian descent and his
mother was of Irish ancestry. His father owned a tire repair shop
called Travolta Tires in Hillsdale, NJ. Travolta started acting appearing in a local
production of "Who'll Save the Plowboy?". His mother, herself an
actress and dancer, enrolled him in a drama school in New York, where
he studied voice, dancing and acting. He decided to combine all three
of these skills and become a musical comedy performer. At 16 he landed
his first professional job in a summer stock production of the musical
"Bye Bye Birdie". He quit school at 16 and moved to New York, and
worked regularly in summer stock and on television commercials. When
work became scarce in New York, he went to Hollywood and appeared in
minor roles in several series. A role in the national touring company
of the hit 1950s musical "Grease" brought him back to New York. An
opening in the New York production of "Grease" gave him his first
Broadway role at age 18. After "Grease", he became a member of the
company of the Broadway show "Over Here", which starred
The Andrews Sisters.After ten
months in "Over Here", he decided to try Hollywood once again. Once
back in Hollywood, he had little trouble getting roles in numerous
television shows. He was seen on
The Rookies (1972),
Emergency! (1972)and
Medical Center (1969)and also
made a movie,
The Devil's Rain (1975),which
was shot in New Mexico. The day he returned to Hollywood from New
Mexico, he was called to an audition for a new situation comedy series
ABC was planning to produce called
Welcome Back, Kotter (1975).
He got the part of Vinnie Barbarino and the series went on the air
during the 1975 fall season.
He starred in a number of monumental films, earning his first Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for his role in the blockbusterSaturday Night Fever (1977),which launched the disco phenomenon in the 1970s. He went on to star in the big-screen version of the long-running musical Grease (1978)and the wildly successfulUrban Cowboy (1980),which also influenced trends in popular culture. Additional film credits include theBrian De PalmathrillersCarrie (1976)andBlow Out (1981),as well asAmy Heckerling's hit comedyLook Who's Talking (1989)andNora Ephron's comic hitMichael (1996).Travolta starred inPhenomenon (1996)and took an equally distinctive turn as an action star inJohn Woo's top-grossingBroken Arrow (1996).He also starred in the classicFace/Off (1997)oppositeNicolas Cage,andThe General's Daughter (1999),co-starringMadeleine Stowe.In 2005, Travolta reprised the role of ultra cool Chili Palmer in theGet Shorty (1995)sequelBe Cool (2005).In addition, he starred oppositeScarlett Johanssonin the critically-acclaimed independent feature filmA Love Song for Bobby Long (2004),which was screened at the Venice Film Festival, where both Travolta and the films won rave reviews. 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. Other recent feature film credits include box-office hit-comedy "Wild Hogs", the action-thrillerLadder 49 (2004),the movie version of the successful comic bookThe Punisher (2004),the dramaBasic (2003),the psychological thrillerDomestic Disturbance (2001),the hit action pictureSwordfish (2001),the infamous sci-fi movieBattlefield Earth (2000),based upon the best-selling novel byL. Ron Hubbard,and Lonely Hearts (2006).
Travolta has been honored twice with Academy Award nominations, the latest for his riveting portrayal of a philosophical hit-man inQuentin Tarantino'sPulp Fiction (1994).He also received BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for this highly-acclaimed role and was named Best Actor by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, among other distinguished awards. Travolta garnered further praise as a Mafioso-turned-movie producer in the comedy sensationGet Shorty (1995),winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy. In 1998, Travolta was honored by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts with the Britanna Award: and in that same year he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chicago Film Festival. Travolta also won the prestigiousAlan J. PakulaAward from the US Broadcast Critics Association for his performance inA Civil Action (1998),based on the best-selling book and directed bySteven Zaillian.He was nominated again for a Golden Globe for his performance inPrimary Colors (1998),directed byMike Nicholsand co-starringEmma ThompsonandBilly Bob Thornton,and in 2008, he received his sixth Golden Globe nomination for his role as "Edna Turnblad" in the big-screen, box-office hit,Hairspray (2007).As a result of this performance, the Chicago Film Critics and the Santa Barbara Film Festival decided to recognize Travolta with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his role.
In addition, Travolta starred oppositeDenzel Washingtonin Tony Scott's remakeThe Taking of Pelham 123 (2009),and he provided the voice of the lead character in Walt Disney Pictures' animated hitBolt (2008),which was nominated for a 2009 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film and a Golden Globe for Best Animated Film, in addition to Best Song for John andMiley Cyrus' duet titled, "I Thought I Lost You".
Next, Travolta starred in Walt Disney Pictures'Old Dogs (2009), along withRobin Williams,Kelly PrestonandElla Bleu Travolta,followed by the action thrillerFrom Paris with Love (2010),starring oppositeJonathan Rhys Meyers.In 2012, John starred alongsideTaylor Kitsch,Blake Lively,Aaron Taylor-Johnson,Benicio Del Toro,Salma Hayek,Emile HirschandDemián BichirinOliver Stone's,Savages (2012).The film was based onDon Winslow's best-selling crime novel that was named one of The New York Times' Top 10 Books of 2010. John was most recently seen inKilling Season (2013),co-starringRobert De Niro,and directed byMark Steven Johnson.John recently completed production on the Boston-based film,The Forger (2014),alongside Academy Award winnerChristopher Plummerand Critic's Choice nomineeTye Sheridan.John plays a second-generation petty thief who arranges to get out of prison to spend time with his ailing son (Sheridan) by taking on a job with his father (Plummer) to pay back the syndicate that arranged his release. John has received 2 prestigious aviation awards: in 2003, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation Award for Excellence for his efforts to promote commercial flying, and, in 2007, The Living Legends Ambassador of Aviation award.
John holds 11 jet licenses: 747, 707, Gulfstream II, Lear 24, Hawker 1251A, Eclipse Jet, Vampire Jet, Canadair CL-141 Jet, Soko Jet, Citation ISP and Challenger. Travolta is the Qantas Airways Global Goodwill "Ambassador-at-Large" and piloted the original Qantas 707 during "Spirit of Friendship" global tour in July/August 2002. John is also a business aircraft brand ambassador for Learjet, Challenger and Global jets for the world's leading business aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier. John flew the 707 to New Orleans after the 2005 hurricane disaster bringing food and medical supplies, and in 2010, again flew the 707, this time to Haiti after the earthquake, carrying supplies, doctors and volunteers.
John, along with his late wife, actressKelly Preston(1962-2020), were very involved in their charity, The Jett Travolta Foundation, which raises money for children with educational needs.
He starred in a number of monumental films, earning his first Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for his role in the blockbusterSaturday Night Fever (1977),which launched the disco phenomenon in the 1970s. He went on to star in the big-screen version of the long-running musical Grease (1978)and the wildly successfulUrban Cowboy (1980),which also influenced trends in popular culture. Additional film credits include theBrian De PalmathrillersCarrie (1976)andBlow Out (1981),as well asAmy Heckerling's hit comedyLook Who's Talking (1989)andNora Ephron's comic hitMichael (1996).Travolta starred inPhenomenon (1996)and took an equally distinctive turn as an action star inJohn Woo's top-grossingBroken Arrow (1996).He also starred in the classicFace/Off (1997)oppositeNicolas Cage,andThe General's Daughter (1999),co-starringMadeleine Stowe.In 2005, Travolta reprised the role of ultra cool Chili Palmer in theGet Shorty (1995)sequelBe Cool (2005).In addition, he starred oppositeScarlett Johanssonin the critically-acclaimed independent feature filmA Love Song for Bobby Long (2004),which was screened at the Venice Film Festival, where both Travolta and the films won rave reviews. 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. Other recent feature film credits include box-office hit-comedy "Wild Hogs", the action-thrillerLadder 49 (2004),the movie version of the successful comic bookThe Punisher (2004),the dramaBasic (2003),the psychological thrillerDomestic Disturbance (2001),the hit action pictureSwordfish (2001),the infamous sci-fi movieBattlefield Earth (2000),based upon the best-selling novel byL. Ron Hubbard,and Lonely Hearts (2006).
Travolta has been honored twice with Academy Award nominations, the latest for his riveting portrayal of a philosophical hit-man inQuentin Tarantino'sPulp Fiction (1994).He also received BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for this highly-acclaimed role and was named Best Actor by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, among other distinguished awards. Travolta garnered further praise as a Mafioso-turned-movie producer in the comedy sensationGet Shorty (1995),winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy. In 1998, Travolta was honored by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts with the Britanna Award: and in that same year he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chicago Film Festival. Travolta also won the prestigiousAlan J. PakulaAward from the US Broadcast Critics Association for his performance inA Civil Action (1998),based on the best-selling book and directed bySteven Zaillian.He was nominated again for a Golden Globe for his performance inPrimary Colors (1998),directed byMike Nicholsand co-starringEmma ThompsonandBilly Bob Thornton,and in 2008, he received his sixth Golden Globe nomination for his role as "Edna Turnblad" in the big-screen, box-office hit,Hairspray (2007).As a result of this performance, the Chicago Film Critics and the Santa Barbara Film Festival decided to recognize Travolta with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his role.
In addition, Travolta starred oppositeDenzel Washingtonin Tony Scott's remakeThe Taking of Pelham 123 (2009),and he provided the voice of the lead character in Walt Disney Pictures' animated hitBolt (2008),which was nominated for a 2009 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film and a Golden Globe for Best Animated Film, in addition to Best Song for John andMiley Cyrus' duet titled, "I Thought I Lost You".
Next, Travolta starred in Walt Disney Pictures'Old Dogs (2009), along withRobin Williams,Kelly PrestonandElla Bleu Travolta,followed by the action thrillerFrom Paris with Love (2010),starring oppositeJonathan Rhys Meyers.In 2012, John starred alongsideTaylor Kitsch,Blake Lively,Aaron Taylor-Johnson,Benicio Del Toro,Salma Hayek,Emile HirschandDemián BichirinOliver Stone's,Savages (2012).The film was based onDon Winslow's best-selling crime novel that was named one of The New York Times' Top 10 Books of 2010. John was most recently seen inKilling Season (2013),co-starringRobert De Niro,and directed byMark Steven Johnson.John recently completed production on the Boston-based film,The Forger (2014),alongside Academy Award winnerChristopher Plummerand Critic's Choice nomineeTye Sheridan.John plays a second-generation petty thief who arranges to get out of prison to spend time with his ailing son (Sheridan) by taking on a job with his father (Plummer) to pay back the syndicate that arranged his release. John has received 2 prestigious aviation awards: in 2003, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation Award for Excellence for his efforts to promote commercial flying, and, in 2007, The Living Legends Ambassador of Aviation award.
John holds 11 jet licenses: 747, 707, Gulfstream II, Lear 24, Hawker 1251A, Eclipse Jet, Vampire Jet, Canadair CL-141 Jet, Soko Jet, Citation ISP and Challenger. Travolta is the Qantas Airways Global Goodwill "Ambassador-at-Large" and piloted the original Qantas 707 during "Spirit of Friendship" global tour in July/August 2002. John is also a business aircraft brand ambassador for Learjet, Challenger and Global jets for the world's leading business aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier. John flew the 707 to New Orleans after the 2005 hurricane disaster bringing food and medical supplies, and in 2010, again flew the 707, this time to Haiti after the earthquake, carrying supplies, doctors and volunteers.
John, along with his late wife, actressKelly Preston(1962-2020), were very involved in their charity, The Jett Travolta Foundation, which raises money for children with educational needs.