Did celebrities misuse COVID-19 grants? An in-depth analysis
His mother, also an entertainer, enrolled him in a drama school, where he received voice, dance, and singing lessons. At age 16, he dropped out of high school and moved to New York to pursue acting, mainly appearing in commercials and performing in summer theater productions. But stardom was right around the corner.
Here he is posing with Sharon Stone at the 74th Annual Academy Awards celebrations in 2002.
With 'Hairspray' co-star Michelle Pfeiffer and late wife Kelly Preston (left). The star-studded John Waters musical marked a return to Travolta's song-and-dance roots, earning him another Golden Globe nomination in 2008.
In 1999's 'The General's Daughter,' next to the actress playing the titular charatcer, Leslie Stefanson.
At the 2001 MTV Movie Awards with 'Swordfish' co-star Halle Berry, who's caught between Travolta and Hugh Jackman.
Blake Lively starred with John Travolta and Salma Hayek in 2012's 'Savages.'
But Travolta doesn't only have chemistry with his co-stars. He delights the biggest Hollywood A-listers with his presence, like here with Jennifer Lawrence.
Attending a gala event with Australian popstar Kylie Minogue in 2008.
John Travolta is Italian on his father's side, and Irish on his mother's.
No one thought it was possible that the budding movie star would have an even bigger hit in 1978, but he did! 'Grease' became the highest-grossing musical of that year, and is still considered one of the greatest musicals ever made!
However, at the same time his career was taking off so spectacularly, the actor also knew moments of great sadness and loneliness. It was during this time he was steered towards Scientology, which he credits with saving his life.
However, as alluded to earlier, before joining Scientology the actor went through some dark times, tragically losing his partner, actress Diana Hyland (pictured), and his mother within a year of each. They both died of cancer.
The famous couple were both deeply committed to the Jett Travolta Foundation, a nonprofit charity that aims to provide relief for impaired children with special needs.
In 2021, Kelly Preston and John Travolta would've celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. According to Travolta, their secret was communication. But in yet another heartbreaking moment in his life, Travolta lost his wife in July 2020 to breast cancer. She was just 57.
See also: Shake and shimmy through the greatest dance movies of all time
Sadly, in later life the actor's world took another tragic turn when he lost his 16-year old son, Jett, following a seizure episode during a family vacation in the Bahamas. Kelly Preston and John Travolta had two other children together: Benjamin and Ella Bleu.
John Travolta is one the most loved actors of recent decades, as well as one of the most desired. What is it about his presence that charms us so? Is it the dreamy blue eyes, the killer dance moves, or his many pursuits outside the movie industry? Well, let's try to find out, shall we? Click on!
John Travolta: decades of style and seduction
The actor turns 69 on February 18
CELEBRITY Retrospective
John Travolta is one the most loved actors of recent decades, as well as one of the most desired. What is it about his presence that charms us so? Is it the dreamy blue eyes, the killer dance moves, or his many pursuits outside the movie industry? Well, let's try to find out, shall we? Click on!