John Travolta's Coolest Throwback Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

John Travolta.Photo:CBS via Getty

CBS via Getty

John Travoltais celebrating his birthday today!The legendary actor who starred in classics such asGrease, Saturday Night Fever, Face Off, Pulp Fictionand many more blockbusters, is turning 71 on Feb. 18! He first came on the scene playing a bully in 1976’sCarrieand has consistently delivered outstanding performances since.Travolta married the love of his life, actressKelly Prestonin 1991 and the two welcomed three children together — Jett, Ella Bleu and Benjamin. Sadly, the couple’s oldest son Jettdied in January 2009 while on vacationwith his family in the Bahamas. He was 16.On July 12, 2020,Travolta announcedvia Instagram that his beloved wife had died at the age of 57 following a two-year battle with breast cancer. “Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered,“the actor wrote.Throughout all the sadness, Travolta has made it a point to continue looking at the good in life and remains a source of strength for Ella and Benjamin. Back in 2021, theSaturday Night Feveractoropened up about the emotional conversationhe and his son had after Preston’s death when Ben revealed he was afraid to lose his dad too.“I said, ‘But you know, Ben … you always love the truth and I’m going to tell you the truth about life. Nobody knows when they’re gonna go or when they’re going to stay,’ " John recalled.He continued, “Your brother [Jett] left at 16. Too young. Your mother left at 57. That was too young. But who’s to say? I could die tomorrow. You could. Anybody can,” he said. “So let’s look at it like it’s part of life. You don’t know exactly. You just do your best at trying to live the longest you can.“In celebration of one of film’s greatest icons, check out some of John Travolta’s coolest throwback pictures below.

John Travoltais celebrating his birthday today!

The legendary actor who starred in classics such asGrease, Saturday Night Fever, Face Off, Pulp Fictionand many more blockbusters, is turning 71 on Feb. 18! He first came on the scene playing a bully in 1976’sCarrieand has consistently delivered outstanding performances since.

Travolta married the love of his life, actressKelly Prestonin 1991 and the two welcomed three children together — Jett, Ella Bleu and Benjamin. Sadly, the couple’s oldest son Jettdied in January 2009 while on vacationwith his family in the Bahamas. He was 16.

On July 12, 2020,Travolta announcedvia Instagram that his beloved wife had died at the age of 57 following a two-year battle with breast cancer. “Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered,“the actor wrote.

Throughout all the sadness, Travolta has made it a point to continue looking at the good in life and remains a source of strength for Ella and Benjamin. Back in 2021, theSaturday Night Feveractoropened up about the emotional conversationhe and his son had after Preston’s death when Ben revealed he was afraid to lose his dad too.

“I said, ‘But you know, Ben … you always love the truth and I’m going to tell you the truth about life. Nobody knows when they’re gonna go or when they’re going to stay,’ " John recalled.

He continued, “Your brother [Jett] left at 16. Too young. Your mother left at 57. That was too young. But who’s to say? I could die tomorrow. You could. Anybody can,” he said. “So let’s look at it like it’s part of life. You don’t know exactly. You just do your best at trying to live the longest you can.”

In celebration of one of film’s greatest icons, check out some of John Travolta’s coolest throwback pictures below.

01of 14Early DaysWalt Disney Television via GettyJohn Travoltaas Vinnie Barbarino in a 1975 promotional shot forWelcome Back, Kotter.

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Early Days

Walt Disney Television via Getty

John Travoltaas Vinnie Barbarino in a 1975 promotional shot forWelcome Back, Kotter.

02of 14Too CoolJohn Travolta.Michael Ochs Archives/GettyIn a still from his 1977 breakout,Saturday Night Fever.

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Too Cool

John Travolta.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

In a still from his 1977 breakout,Saturday Night Fever.

03of 14Making a ClassicJohn Travolta.CBS via GettyAs Danny Zuko in his 1978 fan favorite,Grease.

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Making a Classic

John Travolta.CBS via Getty

As Danny Zuko in his 1978 fan favorite,Grease.

04of 14Smiles All AroundHulton Archive/GettySmiling in a photograph taken in the late 1970s.

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Smiles All Around

Hulton Archive/Getty

Smiling in a photograph taken in the late 1970s.

05of 14Suited and BootedJohn Travolta.Hulton Archive/GettyGlowing in gray during a promotional shoot in London in 1981.

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Suited and Booted

John Travolta.Hulton Archive/Getty

Glowing in gray during a promotional shoot in London in 1981.

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John Travolta.Jack Mitchell/Getty

Hitting his mark as dancer Tony Manero in 1983’sStaying Alive.

07of 14Dallying with RoyaltyJohn Travolta and Princess Diana.White House Photo / Alamy Stock PhotoTravolta famously danced with Princess Diana at the White House during an official dinner in 1985.

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Dallying with Royalty

John Travolta and Princess Diana.White House Photo / Alamy Stock Photo

White House Photo / Alamy Stock Photo

Travolta famously danced with Princess Diana at the White House during an official dinner in 1985.

08of 14Just MarriedPool BENAINOUS/REGLAIN/Gamma-Rapho via GettyTravolta and Preston days after their 1991 wedding, keeping cozy in Deauville, France.

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Just Married

Pool BENAINOUS/REGLAIN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Travolta and Preston days after their 1991 wedding, keeping cozy in Deauville, France.

09of 14So SmolderingEric Robert/Sygma/Sygma via GettyIn an undated headshot.

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So Smoldering

Eric Robert/Sygma/Sygma via Getty

In an undated headshot.

10of 14Winner, Winner!SGranitz/WireImageWith his best performance in a motion picture – musical or comedy statue in L.A. at the 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 1996.

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Winner, Winner!

SGranitz/WireImage

With his best performance in a motion picture – musical or comedy statue in L.A. at the 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 1996.

11of 14Forever LoveSGranitz/WireImageKissing wifeKelly Prestonin 1997 at the 12th Annual Moving Picture Ball American Cinematheque Award ceremony in his honor.

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Forever Love

Kissing wifeKelly Prestonin 1997 at the 12th Annual Moving Picture Ball American Cinematheque Award ceremony in his honor.

12of 14More LoveJohn Travolta, Kelly Preston and their son Jett.Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via GettyJohn and Kelly welcomed their first child, son Jett, on April 13, 1992. Jett sadlydied in January 2009at 16-years-old. He had hit his head on a bathtub after suffering a seizure at his family’s vacation home at the Old Bahama Bay Hotel on Grand Bahama Island.

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More Love

John Travolta, Kelly Preston and their son Jett.Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via Getty

Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via Getty

John and Kelly welcomed their first child, son Jett, on April 13, 1992. Jett sadlydied in January 2009at 16-years-old. He had hit his head on a bathtub after suffering a seizure at his family’s vacation home at the Old Bahama Bay Hotel on Grand Bahama Island.

13of 14Family TimeJohn Travolta, Kelly Preston and daughter Ella Bleu.James Devaney/WireImageJohn and Kelly were pictured in New York in 2002, sandwiching their daughter Ella Bleu, whom they welcomed in 2000.

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Family Time

John Travolta, Kelly Preston and daughter Ella Bleu.James Devaney/WireImage

James Devaney/WireImage

John and Kelly were pictured in New York in 2002, sandwiching their daughter Ella Bleu, whom they welcomed in 2000.

14of 14Night at the PremiereJohn Travolta and family.Nicholas Hunt/GettyThe actors added to their family with son Benjamin, who came into the family in 2010. Above, the Travoltas are pictured wearing matching ensembles while attending the Cannes Film Festival premiere ofGottiin 2018.

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Night at the Premiere

John Travolta and family.Nicholas Hunt/Getty

Nicholas Hunt/Getty

The actors added to their family with son Benjamin, who came into the family in 2010. Above, the Travoltas are pictured wearing matching ensembles while attending the Cannes Film Festival premiere ofGottiin 2018.

source: people.com