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"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 See more [+]