Every Disney Hero Has a Voice
Bolt
John Travolta
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 Hollywood films, including Face/Off,
Ladder 49, 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.Career
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 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 detective in The General's Daughter (1999).
2000–present
Travolta also starred in 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. Travolta played Mrs. Edna Turnblad in the remake of Hairspray,
his first musical since Grease.
Personal life
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 called Benjamin, was born on
November 23, 2010 in Florida.
Travolta and Preston have regularly attended marriage
counseling; Travolta has stated that therapy has helped the marriage.
Travolta is a certified private pilot and owns five
aircraft, including an ex-Qantas Boeing 707–138 airliner. The plane 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 front door.
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
over a year.
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.
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.
Son's death
On January 2, 2009, Travolta and Preston's son, Jett,
died while on their vacation in The Bahamas. A Bahamian death certificate was
issued, attributing the cause of death to a seizure. Jett, who had a history of
seizures, reportedly suffered from Kawasaki disease as an infant. In 2009,
Travolta and Preston confirmed speculation that their son had autism and
suffered regular seizures. They made
their statements while giving testimony after a multi-million dollar extortion
plot against them regarding the circumstances of their son's death. After a
mistrial, Travolta dropped the charges. Travolta has credited his family and
faith in helping him survive the tragic death of his son, and in moving forward
with his film career.
Filmography
List of film and television credits
|
|||
Year
|
Title
|
Role
|
Notes
|
1975
|
The Tenth Level
|
John
|
TV movie
|
1975
|
The Devil's Rain
|
Danny
|
|
1976
|
The 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
|
The 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
|
·
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
·
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
|
|
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
|
A Civil Action
|
Jan Schlichtmann
|
|
1998
|
The 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
|
The General's Daughter
|
Warr. Off. Paul
Brenner/Sgt. Frank White
|
|
1999
|
Our Friend,
Martin
|
Kyle's dad
|
animated
educational film, voice only
|
2000
|
Welcome to
Hollywood
|
Himself
|
mockumentary;
cameo
|
2000
|
Lucky Numbers
|
Russ Richards
|
|
2000
|
Battlefield Earth
|
Terl
|
also producer
Razzie Award for Worst Actor |
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
|
A Love Song for Bobby Long
|
Bobby Long
|
|
2004
|
The 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 the Dog
|
voice
|
2009
|
The 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
|
List of credits in series television
|
|||
Year
|
Title
|
Role
|
Notes
|
1972
|
Emergency!
|
Chuck Benson
|
Episode:
"Kids"
|
1972
|
Owen
Marshall: Counselor at Law
|
Episode: "A
Piece of God"
|
|
1973
|
The Rookies
|
Eddie Halley
|
Episode: "
Frozen Smoke"
|
1974
|
Medical
Center
|
Danny
|
Episode:
"Saturday's Child"
|
1975–1979
|
Welcome Back,
Kotter
|
Vincent
"Vinnie" Barbarino
|
Credited as
"Special Guest Star" (Season 4 only)
|
Discography
Albums
Year
|
Album
|
US
|
1974
|
Over Here!
|
—
|
1976
|
John Travolta
|
39
|
1977
|
Can't Let You
Go
|
66
|
1978
|
Travolta
Fever
|
161
|
Grease
|
1
|
|
1983
|
Two of a Kind
|
26
|
1986
|
The Road to
Freedom
|
—
|
1996
|
Let Her In:
The Best of John Travolta
|
—
|
2003
|
The
Collection
|
—
|
2007
|
Hairspray
|
—
|
Singles
- "Dream
Drummin'" (1974)
- "Easy
Evil" (1975)
- "Can't
Let You Go" (1975)
- "You
Set My Dreams To Music" (1976)
- "Goodnight
Mr. Moon" (1976)
- "Rainbows"
(1976)
- "Settle
Down" (1976)
- "Moonlight
Lady" (1976)
- "Right
Time Of The Night" (1976)
- "Big
Trouble" (1976)
- "What
Would They Say" (1976)
- "Back
Doors Crying" (1976)
- "Let
Her In" (1976) – #10
- "Whenever
I'm Away From You" (1976) – #38
- "Slow
Dancin'" (1976)
- "It
Had To Be You" (1976)
- "I
Don't Know What I Like About You Baby" (1976)
- "All
Strung Out On You" (1977) – #34
- "Baby,
I Could Be So Good At Lovin' You" (1977)
- "Razzamatazz"
(1977)
- "You're
the One That I Want" – #1 (1978) (w/ Olivia Newton-John)
- "Sandy"
(1978)
- "Greased
Lightnin" (1978) – #47
- "Never
Gonna Fall in Love Again" (1980)
- "Take
A Chance" (1983) (w/ Olivia Newton-John)
- "Two
Sleepy People" (1997) (w/ Carly Simon)
- "I
Thought I Lost You" (2008) (w/ Miley Cyrus)
I can honestly say that Bolt is John Travoltas best movie role, and most certainly his most attractive one too.
ReplyDeleteYou decide whether that says more about Bolt or John Travolta.