John Travolta Biography
Quick Facts
| Full Name | John Joseph Travolta |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 18, 1954 |
| Age | 72 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Englewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, producer, pilot |
| Years Active | 1972-present |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Spouse | Married to Kelly Preston (1991-2020) |
| Children | 2 surviving children (Ella Bleu, Benjamin) |
| Net Worth | ~$250 million |
| Known For | Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Urban Cowboy, Pulp Fiction, Hairspray |
Early Life & Background
Travolta was the youngest of six children in a theatrical family. His mother, Helen Cecilia, was an actress and drama teacher; his father, Salvatore, owned a tire company. Travolta dropped out of Dwight Morrow High School at 16 to pursue acting, moving to New York City where he joined the touring company of Grease and appeared in the Broadway musical Over Here! with the Andrews Sisters.
Career Journey
Breakthrough & Disco Era
Travolta first gained attention as Vinnie Barbarino on ABC's sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-1979). He became a global icon with Saturday Night Fever (1977), earning an Oscar nomination, and the musical Grease (1978). His dance moves and swagger defined late-70s pop culture.
1980s Slowdown & 1990s Comeback
After hits like Urban Cowboy (1980) and cult favorite Blow Out (1981), Travolta's career slowed. Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994) revitalized his status, leading to a string of successes including Get Shorty, Face/Off, Primary Colors, The Thin Red Line, and comedies like Hairspray (2007).
Recent Projects
Travolta continues working in indie thrillers (The Poison Rose, The Fanatic), streaming films (Die Hart series), and limited series. He is an avid aviator certified to fly Boeing 707s and Gulfstreams, often piloting humanitarian flights. In 2026 he is producing and starring in a biographical miniseries about stunt double Hal Needham for Paramount+.
Filmography (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Saturday Night Fever | Tony Manero | Oscar nomination |
| 1978 | Grease | Danny Zuko | Cultural phenomenon |
| 1980 | Urban Cowboy | Bud Davis | Country-western hit |
| 1994 | Pulp Fiction | Vincent Vega | Oscar-nominated comeback |
| 1995 | Get Shorty | Chili Palmer | Golden Globe win |
| 1997 | Face/Off | Sean Archer/Caster Troy | Woo action thriller |
| 2007 | Hairspray | Edna Turnblad | Musical revival |
| 2016 | The People v. O.J. Simpson | Robert Shapiro | Emmy-nominated miniseries |
Awards & Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Academy Awards | Best Actor | Saturday Night Fever | Nominated |
| 1995 | Academy Awards | Best Actor | Pulp Fiction | Nominated |
| 1996 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor - Musical or Comedy | Get Shorty | Won |
| 2016 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Limited Series (producer) | The People v. O.J. Simpson | Won |
Net Worth & Income Sources
Estimated Net Worth: ~$250 million (2026)
Travolta earns from film/TV salaries, producing fees through his company Ten Count, and real estate holdings in Florida and Maine. He owns multiple aircraft housed at his Jumbolair estate, using them for personal travel and charity missions.
Personal Life
Travolta married actress Kelly Preston in 1991; they remained together until her passing in 2020. He honors her legacy while raising their children. Travolta is a licensed pilot with over 5,000 flight hours and an ambassador-at-large for Qantas Airways.
Philanthropy & Advocacy
He supports Make-A-Wish Foundation, Oprah's Angel Network, and multiple disaster-relief efforts-piloting supplies after Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Travolta is also active with the Scientology-affiliated charity The Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE).
Social Media Presence
- Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @johntravolta shares family moments, throwback dance clips, aviation stories, and tributes to late wife Kelly Preston.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Travolta holds Boeing 707 type ratings and once planned to build a private runway for charity flights.
- He turned down lead roles in Splash and An Officer and a Gentleman, which later went to Tom Hanks and Richard Gere.
- Travolta is an accomplished ballroom dancer and voice actor (Disney's Bolt).
- He earned the 2003 Living Legends of Aviation certificate for promoting flight safety.
Latest News & Updates (2026)
Travolta is executive-producing Paramount+'s Needham miniseries, where he portrays stunt legend Hal Needham. He recently hosted an AFI tribute to Quentin Tarantino and is planning a documentary on his aviation career. Travolta continues to share choreographed TikTok-style dances with daughter Ella, delighting fans worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is John Travolta?
John Travolta is an American actor and pilot known for iconic roles in Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Pulp Fiction, and Hairspray.
What is John Travolta most famous for?
He is most famous for his 1970s dance films and his 1990s resurgence with Pulp Fiction, leading to decades of varied roles.
Is John Travolta active on social media?
Yes. Travolta actively posts on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, sharing family life, dance videos, and aviation adventures.