John Travolta, born on February 18, 1954, in Englewood, New Jersey, is an American actor, singer, and producer renowned for his extensive career in film and television. He is the youngest of six children in the Travolta family. His father, Salvatore “Sam” Travolta, was of Italian descent, while his mother, Helen Cecilia Burke, was of Irish descent. Helen was an actress and singer before becoming a high school drama and English teacher.
Travolta’s career began in the early 1970s with roles in television series such as “Welcome Back, Kotter” (1975–1979), where he portrayed Vinnie Barbarino. He gained further prominence with leading roles in films like “Saturday Night Fever” (1977) and “Grease” (1978), both of which solidified his status as a Hollywood leading man. His performance in “Saturday Night Fever” earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He received another Oscar nomination for his role in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” (1994), marking a significant comeback in his career.
Beyond acting, Travolta has pursued a career in music, releasing several albums, including the soundtrack for “Grease,” which reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart. He is also a licensed pilot and has a passion for aviation.
In his personal life, Travolta married actress Kelly Preston in 1991. The couple had three children: Jett, Ella Bleu, and Benjamin. Tragically, Jett passed away in 2009 at the age of 16, and Kelly Preston died in 2020 after a battle with breast cancer. In recent years, Travolta has been seen spending time with his children, including a trip to Sydney, Australia, in mid-2024.
Travolta’s enduring presence in the entertainment industry and his contributions to film and music have left a lasting impact on popular culture.