Latest news with #Travolta
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Blockbuster Film That Finally Gave This 1970s Icon a Chart-Topping Hit
The Blockbuster Film That Finally Gave This 1970s Icon a Chart-Topping Hit originally appeared on Parade. After rising to fame in both television and film, this 1970s icon finally scored a chart-topping hit. This breakout single soared to No. 1 two years after their debut track first made waves in 1976. John Travolta, who rose to fame as Vinny Barbarino on ABC's Welcome Back, Kotter, was on the brink of superstardom by the mid-1970s. His status as a leading man was cemented with a starring role in the feature film Saturday Night Fever. However, Travolta didn't realize the impact Saturday Night Fever would have on his career when he wrapped that film and headed directly into pre-production for Grease. It was Grease that catapulted the New Jersey native into the stratosphere, and the soundtrack gave him his first number one hit on the Billboard charts in 1978. On June 10, 1978, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John hit No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with 'You're the One That I Want.' The smash duet was one of two songs, along with 'Hopelessly Devoted to You,' written by Australian producer and musician John Farrar specifically for Newton-John's role in the film. The track's success helped turn the movie's soundtrack into a cultural phenomenon. Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Along with "You're the One That I Want," Travolta sang on the tunes "Summer Nights," "Sandy," "We Go Together," "Summer Nights," and "Greased Lightnin." Grease became the highest-grossing musical at the time, and its soundtrack was a massive hit, further boosting Travolta's profile. Grease set the stage for further success in Travolta's career, leading to roles in films like Urban Cowboy and Blow Out. Previously, the actor hit the music charts in 1976 with a remake of the Gary Benson song "Let Her In." It peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard charts in July 1976. The Blockbuster Film That Finally Gave This 1970s Icon a Chart-Topping Hit first appeared on Parade on Jun 10, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Perth Now
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Barry Diller claims John Travolta exited American Gigolo over 'gay subtext'
Barry Diller claims John Travolta exited 'American Gigolo' because of the 'somewhat gay subtext'. John, 71, was originally tapped to take the leading role in the 1980 crime thriller about a male escort who gets framed for the murder of an ex-client, but was replaced by Richard Gere, 75, after he exited the movie. And now Diller – who was the CEO of Paramount at the time -has claimed in his memoir 'Who Knew' that Travolta's reasons for quitting were not the ones he gave then-Paramount Pictures president Michael Eisner at the time. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barry, 83, wrote in his book: 'He slumped down in a chair in Michael's office, started to cry and said, 'I can't do American Gigolo. I'm too sad. I'm still in mourning [the recent deaths of his mother and then-girlfriend]. It's the wrong thing for me to do. You have to let me out of it'. 'Michael came down to my office and said, 'John's just left, and we have to let him out of the movie because he just can't do it.' I said, 'He's faking it and using you. It's too late to recast and he's perfect for it.' 'I was certain [Travolta] had acted his way through his meeting with Michael and no longer wanted to do 'Gigolo'. He was afraid of playing that character because of its somewhat gay subtext. For days, I said, 'I'm not even going to hear of letting him out of the movie, full stop, period.'' However, Diller admitted he made the situation worse when he tried to speak to Travolta about it. He said: 'John came to my house one afternoon. I began by saying, 'Right now, you are the biggest star in the world, and you worry you're going to screw it up. You're listening to this twerpy, inexperienced manager of yours, and it's leading you to the wrong decisions. This is a critical time for you, and when you've got a great script and a great part, you don't let anything put you off it.' I went on with various examples of how his management had been mishandling things since his spurt to superstardom. 'He left with a pained and hurt look. A day or two later it became clear that he was not going to show up for the first day of shooting and would take whatever consequences ensued. I had made the situation worse because he'd told his manager about my criticism of him, so they both hated me.'
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
John Travolta joins the F1 hype ahead of Miami Grand Prix, says he can drive an F1 car with 'some practice runs'
Image credit: F1 Mia/Instagram The stage is finally set for the much-awaited Miami Grand Prix this weekend, and one of the stars in the spotlight might be Hollywood actor John Travolta. A major hint was dropped on the F1 Mia Instagram account recently, along with the caption: 'Petition to have @johntravolta perform 'You're the One That I Want' at the #MiamiGP.' The video shows Travolta talking about whether he can drive an F1 car and what song he would be humming if he actually went behind the steering wheel. John Travolta answers questions about Formula 1 John Travolta's fans were excited to learn that he would most probably be present at the Miami Grand Prix. He has attended F1 races before, and he revealed that Miami is his favourite place. Reacting to the video, a fan said, 'Omg yes!!! Or grease lightning.' Another commented, 'Ready for the big ride Bubba !!!!' A fan dropped a request: 'Race off… between John & Nic Cage please.' An Instagram user also wrote in the comments section, 'F1 race in a parking lot.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Was Everyone's Dream Girl, Take a Look At Her Now Boite A Scoop Undo The 71-year-old actor also answered a few questions about Formula 1, including whether he could handle an F1 car. Travolta confidently answered, 'Yes, if I did some practice runs around the track and got familiar with how the car operates. I've been in race cars before, so yeah, I think I could.' On the next question—whether he was a speed guy or the one who is smooth and steady—he said, 'Both. I enjoy speed but I also enjoy speed and being smooth and steady altogether.' In the video, Travolta is also asked about his hype song before a race. He promptly answered, 'You're the One That I Want.' Travolta is one of the most senior actors in Hollywood and TV besides also being a singer. He has worked in TV shows Welcome Back and Kotter and movies like Carrie, Grease, Urban Cowboy and Blow Out. He has also delivered several albums and singles. The allrounder also holds a pilot license Also Read: Helmut Marko shares the odds for Miami Grand Prix, mentions the one factor that could make things difficult for all but McLaren Turning to the real action at the Miami Grand Prix, McLaren driver Lando Norris will try to return to the podium after winning his first Formula 1 race in Miami last year. His teammate Oscar Piastri has a strong chance as he is currently on top of the Driver Standings with three wins in five races this season. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and Mercedes driver George Russell are also strong contenders for the podium, which has been clear after five races.
Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Harry speaks at LA awards as Prince William attends Pope's funeral
The Duke of Sussex was a guest speaker alongside Hollywood stars at an awards show hours before his brother attended the Pope's funeral on behalf of the King. Prince Harry appeared at the Living Legend of Aviation Awards in Los Angeles on Friday night alongside John Travolta, who has become a good friend since the Prince was himself inducted as a Living Legend at last year's ceremony. The 40-year-old Duke, who was not accompanied by wife Meghan, took to the stage at the Beverly Hilton with Travolta and fellow actors Kurt Russell and Morgan Freeman to pay tribute to the courage of the aviators who helped fight January's devastating wildfires in California. 'First responders rise to the challenge' Harry told the audience: 'What I've seen and what the world sees is that first responders rise to that challenge every single time, and yet we rarely get the chance to thank them. 'This community, bound and energised by service to others, shows up for us wherever we are and whenever they're needed. They put their lives on hold for as long as we need them. 'Tonight we celebrate the aviation legends, the kind forged in smoke, shaped by teamwork and defined by the courage to fly into danger when others are told to flee. 'This community doesn't ask for attention or recognition. They don't ask for praise. 'But tonight we're going to give it to them regardless, because in my experience, it's the people who don't expect it or ask for it that need and appreciate it the most.' Greg Herrick, a vintage aircraft collector who also holds the title of Living Legend, said he felt Harry and Travolta, 71, who famously danced with Diana, Princess of Wales, at the White House in 1985, had bonded 'like brothers'. Russell, 74, described Harry as 'always the nice fellow' and said the Duke felt honoured to be part of the 'elite aviator community'. The veteran actor said: 'Pilots to me are a community that is indescribably different and unique from anything I've ever been a part of. This is the best night of the year. I love the people that are in that room – everything to do with aviation.' Another guest said: 'John [Travolta] was beyond excited that Harry did not just attend this event, but also paid the love forward from winning last year. His comments were a major moving moment of the evening. 'John has been in communication with Harry since last year and they mutually decided it was right to pay tribute to the crews. 'We all know it's a huge deal for Harry to attend a Hollywood event, because he's very much shied away from these types of events since he moved to California five years ago. 'But John's passion has fired up something in Harry to continue his love for flying long after his Army days in helicopters.' Astronauts honoured at ceremony At the ceremony Travolta, the Living Legends organisation's 'official ambassador of aviation', inducted and honoured major names in aviation including Christopher Cassidy, a former NASA astronaut who logged three spaceflights, 10 spacewalks, and a total of 377 days in space. Others honoured were Robert 'Hoot' Gibson, a former astronaut and Navy fighter pilot, and Tom Costello, NBC's Emmy award-winning aviation and space correspondent. The crew of the Polaris Dawn, whose five-day space mission last year included the first commercial spacewalk ever, received the inaugural Dr. Buzz Aldrin Space Advancement Award.
Miami Herald
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
John Travolta posted an adorable picture of his dog for Easter. He added a disclaimer
John Travolta has mastered the Internet almost as well as he worked the dance floor back in the day. On Sunday, the Hollywood icon — who calls Ocala, Fla., home — posted an innocent photo of his dog sniffing a Lindt rabbit wrapped in gold foil. 'Happy Easter from me, Ella, Ben and Peanut!' said the caption, referring to his two kids and the Chihuahua mix. Then, in parentheses: ('Not to worry, she won't eat the chocolate bunny.)' That second sentence no doubt warded off an onslaught of unsolicited advice. It's common knowledge that chocolate is toxic for dogs, whose systems can't process ingredients theobromine, an alkaloid compound, and caffeine. Apparently, Travolta is well aware. A bunch of commenters congratulated the 'Saturday Night Fever' star, 71, on assuring the animal lovers in the crowd. 'Love how you had to add that disclaimer about eating the chocolate - those comments would've been relentless!' 'I'm so glad you mentioned not letting her eat chocolate. You probably would have been bombarded with warnings from well meaning dog lovers, myself being one of them, lol.' 'Thank you for the reassurance.' The Travolta family adopted Peanut after she attended the 2022 Oscars with the actor's 'Perfect' costar Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis brought the rescue, then known as Mac N Cheese, up to the podium for a segment to honor the late Betty White, a huge animal advocate. According to People, a production company was originally going to provide a trained dog for the segment, but Curtis said it had to be a rescue because that's what the comedy legend would have wanted. Travolta reportedly 'eye locked' with the puppy immediately and started the adoption process the next day.
