Career Timeline of John Travolta: Major Achievements and Milestones
How John Travolta built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
John Travolta is an American actor, singer, and producer who rose to prominence in television before becoming a leading film actor. He has received a Primetime Emmy Award and three Golden Globe Awards. He also earned nominations for two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards, signifying his sustained success and impact in the entertainment industry.
September 1972: First Screen Role in Emergency!
In September 1972, John Travolta's first screen role in California was as a fall victim in Emergency!
1975: Starred in Welcome Back, Kotter
In 1975, John Travolta came to prominence starring in the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter.
July 1976: Hit Single "Let Her In"
In July 1976, John Travolta had a hit single titled "Let Her In", peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
1976: Significant Movie Role in Carrie
In 1976, John Travolta played Billy Nolan, a bully, in the horror film Carrie.
1977: Starred in Saturday Night Fever
In 1977, John Travolta starred as Tony Manero in the dance drama Saturday Night Fever, earning him an Academy Award nomination.
1977: Nominated for Academy Award for Saturday Night Fever
In 1977, John Travolta was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Saturday Night Fever.
1978: Starred in Grease
In 1978, John Travolta starred as Danny Zuko in the musical Grease, which catapulted him to international stardom.
1978: Grease Soundtrack Topped Billboard 200
In 1978, the Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture album, which included John Travolta, topped the Billboard 200.
1979: Welcome Back, Kotter Ended
In 1979, John Travolta's television show Welcome Back, Kotter ended.
1980: Starred in Urban Cowboy
In 1980, John Travolta starred in Urban Cowboy.
1982: Hubbard Approached Travolta for Film Adaptation of Battlefield Earth
In 1982, L. Ron Hubbard contacted John Travolta to help make a film adaptation of Battlefield Earth.
1983: Starred in Two of a Kind and Staying Alive
In 1983, John Travolta starred in Two of a Kind and Staying Alive, the sequel to Saturday Night Fever.
1989: Starred in Look Who's Talking
In 1989, John Travolta starred with Kirstie Alley in Look Who's Talking, which became his most successful film since Grease.
1990: Starred in Look Who's Talking Too
In 1990, John Travolta starred in Look Who's Talking Too.
1993: Starred in Look Who's Talking Now
In 1993, John Travolta starred in Look Who's Talking Now.
1994: Starred in Pulp Fiction
In 1994, John Travolta starred in Pulp Fiction, for which he received an Academy Award nomination and revived his career.
1994: Nominated for Academy Award for Pulp Fiction
In 1994, John Travolta was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Pulp Fiction.
1995: Starred in Get Shorty and White Man's Burden
In 1995, John Travolta starred in Get Shorty and White Man's Burden.
1995: Starred in Get Shorty
In 1995, John Travolta starred in Get Shorty.
1996: Starred in Broken Arrow and Michael
In 1996, John Travolta starred in Broken Arrow and Michael.
1996: Starred in Broken Arrow and Phenomenon and Michael
In 1996, John Travolta starred in Broken Arrow, Phenomenon and Michael.
1998: Starred in A Civil Action and Primary Colors
In 1998, John Travolta starred in A Civil Action and Primary Colors.
1999: Starred in The General's Daughter
In 1999, John Travolta starred in The General's Daughter.
2000: Starred in Lucky Numbers
In 2000, John Travolta starred in Lucky Numbers.
2000: Starred in Battlefield Earth
In 2000, John Travolta starred in and co-produced the science fiction film Battlefield Earth, which received negative reviews and performed poorly at the box office.
2001: Starred in Swordfish and Domestic Disturbance
In 2001, John Travolta starred in Swordfish and Domestic Disturbance.
2006: Starred in Lonely Hearts
In 2006, John Travolta starred in Lonely Hearts.
2007: Played Edna Turnblad in Hairspray
In 2007, John Travolta played Edna Turnblad in the remake of Hairspray, marking his first musical since Grease.
2007: Starred in Wild Hogs and Hairspray
In 2007, John Travolta starred in Wild Hogs and Hairspray.
2009: Starred in The Taking of Pelham 123 and Old Dogs
In 2009, John Travolta starred in The Taking of Pelham 123 and Old Dogs.
2010: Starred in From Paris with Love
In 2010, John Travolta starred in From Paris with Love.
2011: Golden Globe Nomination
In 2011, John Travolta received a Golden Globe nomination, marking his most recent nomination out of a total of six.
2014: IIFA Award for Outstanding Achievement
In 2014, John Travolta was honored with the IIFA Award for Outstanding Achievement in International Cinema.
2016: Returned to Television in American Crime Story
In 2016, John Travolta returned to television in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, receiving an Emmy nomination.
2021: Emmy-nominated for Die Hart
In 2021, John Travolta was Emmy-nominated for his role in the action-comedy web series Die Hart.
