History of John Travolta in Timeline
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.
February 18, 1954: John Travolta Born
On February 18, 1954, John Joseph Travolta was born. He is an American actor, singer, and producer known for his work in television and film.
1971: Dropped Out of High School
In 1971, John Travolta dropped out of Dwight Morrow High School as a junior at age 17.
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.
1975: Converted to Scientology
In 1975, at age 21, John Travolta converted to Scientology after being given the book Dianetics.
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: Met Diana Hyland
In 1976, John Travolta met Diana Hyland while filming The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.
1976: Significant Movie Role in Carrie
In 1976, John Travolta played Billy Nolan, a bully, in the horror film Carrie.
March 27, 1977: Diana Hyland Died
On March 27, 1977, Diana Hyland, John Travolta's girlfriend, died from breast cancer.
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: Dated Catherine Deneuve
In 1980, John Travolta dated French actress Catherine Deneuve.
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.
1984: Inducted into American Academy of Achievement
In 1984, John Travolta was inducted into the American Academy of Achievement and presented with the Golden Plate Award.
1985: Relationship with Marilu Henner Ended
In 1985, John Travolta's on-again/off-again relationship with actress Marilu Henner ended permanently.
1988: Met Kelly Preston
In 1988, John Travolta met actress Kelly Preston while filming The Experts.
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.
1991: Married Kelly Preston
In 1991, John Travolta married Kelly Preston in Paris.
November 24, 1992: Experienced Electrical Failure While Piloting
On November 24, 1992, John Travolta experienced a total electrical system failure while piloting his Gulfstream at night, nearly resulting in a mid-air collision.
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.
2000: Daughter Ella Bleu Born
In 2000, John Travolta's daughter Ella Bleu was born.
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.
2007: Inducted into Living Legends of Aviation
In 2007, John Travolta was inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation and acts as the award show's official ambassador.
January 2, 2009: Son Jett Travolta Died
On January 2, 2009, John Travolta's son, Jett, died at the age of sixteen while on vacation in The Bahamas due to a seizure.
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.
September 13, 2010: Piloted Oprah Winfrey's Trip to Australia
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 eight-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Australia, with Travolta serving as pilot for the trip.
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.
May 2012: Sexual Assault Lawsuit Filed
In May 2012, John Travolta faced a lawsuit from an anonymous masseur alleging sexual assault and battery. Travolta's lawyer denied the claims, asserting they were fabricated and that Travolta was not in California on the date in question. A second masseur joined the lawsuit with similar claims. The lawsuits were later dropped.
September 27, 2012: Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed
On September 27, 2012, a defamation lawsuit against John Travolta and his attorney was dismissed by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Malcolm Mackey. The lawsuit, filed by writer Robert Randolph, was dismissed on the grounds that a letter written by Travolta's attorney was protected by free speech.
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.
July 12, 2020: Wife Kelly Preston Died
On July 12, 2020, John Travolta's wife, Kelly Preston, died at the age of 57, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
July 2020: Took a Break After Death of Wife Kelly Preston
In July 2020, following the death of his wife Kelly Preston, John Travolta announced he would be taking time off to be with his children.
2021: Emmy-nominated for Die Hart
In 2021, John Travolta was Emmy-nominated for his role in the action-comedy web series Die Hart.
