John Travolta is one of the most famous and successful actors in Hollywood, known for his iconic roles in movies like Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Pulp Fiction, and Hairspray. But did you know that he has an older brother who is also an actor, singer, producer, director, and screenwriter? His name is Joey Travolta, and he is the eldest of the six Travolta siblings. In this article, we will explore the relationship between Joey and John Travolta, their similarities and differences, and their careers in the entertainment industry.
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The Travolta Family Background
According to Wikipedia Joey and John Travolta were born and raised in Englewood, New Jersey, a suburb of New York City. Their father, Salvatore Travolta, was a semi-professional football player turned tire salesman and partner in a tire company. Their mother, Helen Cecilia Burke, was an actress and singer who had appeared in a radio vocal group called The Sunshine Sisters, and later became a high school drama and English teacher. She was also the one who inspired her children to pursue careers in show business.
Joey and John have four other siblings: Ellen, Ann, Margaret, and Sam Travolta. All of them are actors or have been involved in the entertainment industry in some way. Ellen Travolta is best known for her role as Louisa Arcola Delvecchio on the sitcom Happy Days. Ann Travolta has appeared in several movies with her brother John, such as Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Staying Alive, and Hairspray. Margaret Travolta is also an actress who has had roles in films like Face/Off, Lucky Numbers, and General’s Daughter. Sam Travolta is a screenwriter who has written scripts for movies like The Tender Trap and The Experts.
Joey Travolta’s Career
Joey Travolta started his career as a singer in 1978, releasing his self-titled album on Casablanca Records. He then made his acting debut in 1979, starring in the comedy film Sunnyside. He also became a guest star on several TV shows in the 1980s, such as Simon & Simon, Murder She Wrote, and Charles in Charge.
Joey Travolta worked with director John Landis on several films, such as Amazon Women on the Moon, Beverly Hills Cop III, Oscar, and Susan’s Plan. He was also a series regular on the WB sitcom Movie Stars in 1999. He has performed in musicals like Bye Bye Birdie, Guys and Dolls, and West Side Story.
Joey Travolta made directing his main priority in 1994. He has directed many films of different genres, such as action thrillers (Hard Vice, Navajo Blues), family comedies (Earth Minus Zero, Mel), crime dramas (Partners, Enemies of Laughter), and romantic comedies (Detour). He has also directed TV shows like L.A. Heat, Honey I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, and Friday Night After the Movies.
Joey Travolta is also a disability advocate who has worked as a special education teacher in New Jersey. He founded Inclusion Films, a practical film school for adults with developmental disabilities. He also runs summer camps for children with special needs across the country. He has produced and directed several documentaries that showcase the talents and stories of people with disabilities.
John Travolta’s Career
John Travolta rose to fame in the 1970s with his roles on the TV sitcom Welcome Back Kotter and the blockbuster films Carrie, Saturday Night Fever, Grease, and Urban Cowboy. He received two Oscar nominations for Best Actor for his performances in Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction. He also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role in Get Shorty.
John Travolta’s career declined in the 1980s but he made a comeback in the 1990s with his role in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. He went on to star in many successful films such as Get Shorty, Broken Arrow, Phenomenon, Face/Off, A Civil Action, Primary Colors, Hairspray, and Bolt.
John Travolta is also a singer-songwriter who has released nine albums, including four singles that have charted on the Billboard Hot 100. His albums have been typically accompanied with films he’s starred in, such as Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture (1978)–which topped the Billboard 200. He also recorded duets with Olivia Newton-John, Barbra Streisand, and Miley Cyrus.
John Travolta is also a private pilot who owns several aircrafts. He is an ambassador for Qantas Airways and has flown humanitarian missions to Haiti and New Orleans after natural disasters.
The Relationship Between Joey and John Travolta
Joey and John Travolta are very close brothers who have supported each other throughout their careers and personal lives. They have appeared together in several events and interviews, such as the 2018 Cannes Film Festival where Joey presented John with the Variety Cinema Icon Award. They have also collaborated on some projects, such as the film Perfect, where Joey played John’s brother, and the documentary The Secret Life of John Travolta, where Joey interviewed John about his life and career.
Joey and John Travolta have also faced some tragedies and challenges in their lives, such as the death of their mother in 1978, their sister Ann in 2013, and John’s son Jett in 2009. They have also dealt with controversies and lawsuits regarding their personal and professional affairs. However, they have always stood by each other and expressed their love and admiration for one another.
Conclusion
Joey and John Travolta are two talented and successful brothers who have made their mark in the entertainment industry. They are also loving and loyal siblings who have a strong bond that has lasted for decades. They are both related by blood and by passion for their craft.
