John Travolta Net Worth (Money & Salary)
the remarkable turnaround in his career. Following this, he received $20 million for his roles in “Mad City” and “A Civil Action” in 1997 and 1998 respectively, while “Primary Colors” in 1998 earned him $17 million. Travolta’s impressive earnings continued with $20 million for “The General’s Daughter” (1999) and “Swordfish” (2001), along with $10 million for “Battlefield Earth” (2000) and $15 million for “Basic” (2003). His performance in “Ladder 49” (2004) and “Be Cool” (2005) saw him once again earning $20 million each. Finally, he made a significant return to the big screen with “Hairspray” in 2007, where he was paid $14 million.
Variety of Roles
Throughout his career, Travolta’s willingness to take on diverse characters allowed him to explore his craft further. The 1990s revival saw him embracing thrillers, comedies, and dramas, showcasing his adaptability. Films such as “Face/Off,” where he played an FBI agent, and “Hairspray,” where he donned a female role, are testaments to his broad range. This adaptability has earned him not only financial success but also critical acclaim, solidifying his presence in Hollywood.
Overall, John Travolta’s journey is defined by a remarkable ability to bounce back from setbacks. His net worth of $250 million reflects not only his success in earning substantial film salaries but also the enduring appeal he maintains as a multifaceted entertainer.
to the top of the box office.
“Mad City” (1997) and “Primary Colors” (1998) maintained this impressive earning streak, generating $20 million and $17 million, respectively. In “A Civil Action” (1998), he once again commanded a $20 million salary. By the end of the millennium, Travolta’s star status was beyond doubt, evidenced by “The General’s Daughter” (1999), which also garnered $20 million.
With the start of the new millennium, “Battlefield Earth” (2000) signaled a decrease in his salary to $10 million, possibly due to the film’s mixed reviews. Nevertheless, this decline was short-lived, as “Swordfish” (2001) reinstated his $20 million salary benchmark. The subsequent years exhibited a steady trend of high earnings for Travolta, with “Basic” (2003) earning him $15 million, while both “Ladder 49” (2004) and “Be Cool” (2005) brought him $20 million each. His participation in “Hairspray” (2007) also secured an impressive $14 million, showcasing his adaptability and lasting appeal.
Early life
Born on February 18, 1954, Travolta was the youngest of six siblings. His mother, Helen Cecilia, was an accomplished actress and singer, part of The Sunshine Sisters, a radio vocal group, prior to becoming a high school educator. His father, Salvatore, transitioned from being a semi-professional American football player to a tire salesman.
Beginnings of Success
At the age of 17, in 1971, Travolta left high school and relocated to New York City, where he landed a role in the Broadway show Over Here! and joined the touring cast of Grease. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Los Angeles to advance his career. His first notable screen appearance came in 1976 with the horror film Carrie. He also achieved fame as Vinnie Barbarino in ABC’s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-79).
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Travolta experienced tremendous success both in film and music. His single, “Let Her In,” peaked at number 10 on the July 1976 Billboard Hot 100 chart. He starred in iconic films such as Saturday Night Fever (1977), Grease (1978), and Urban Cowboy (1980). For his outstanding performance in Saturday Night Fever, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor at just 24 years of age, making him one of the youngest to achieve such recognition.
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Decline and Return
Following the remarkable success of the 1970s, the 1980s proved challenging for Travolta, bringing a series of disappointments. His films Two of a Kind (1983) and Perfect (1985) were both significant failures, whereas Staying Alive, the sequel to Saturday Night Fever, although grossing over $65 million, fell flat with critics.
Despite these difficulties, Travolta staged a remarkable comeback.In 1989, with the film Look Who’s Talking, which earned $297 million, Travolta achieved his highest box office success after Grease. His A-list status was confirmed and solidified with his Academy Award-nominated performance in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994). The 1990s became a fruitful era for Travolta, marked by a surge in movie offers. Among the standout films of this decade were Get Shorty (1995), Face/Off (1997), and A Civil Action (1998).
Continuing his prolific acting career, the 2000s proved to be just as busy, featuring a variety of films such as Swordfish (2001), Ladder 49 (2004), Be Cool (2005), Lonely Hearts (2006), Wild Hogs (2007), and Old Dogs (2009). He also marked his return to musicals after Grease by playing Edna Turnblad in drag for the 2007 remake of Hairspray.
During this time, Travolta branched out into new types of projects beyond his traditional acting roles. In 2008, he lent his voice to the main character in the animated film Bolt and provided voiceovers for the documentary Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005). Additionally, in 2000, he embarked on a passionate project by both starring in and co-producing the science fiction film Battlefield Earth, based on L. Ron Hubbard’s novel of the same title. This film had been a dream project for Travolta since the book’s 1982 release, spurred by Hubbard’s personal request for assistance in adapting it for the screen.
Since 2010, Travolta’s film endeavors have largely focused on action and thriller genres. Significant titles from this period include Savages (2012), Killing Season (2013), In a Valley of Violence (2016), Speed Kills (2018), Trading Paint (2019), The Poison Rose (2019), The Fanatic (2019), and Paradise City (2022). Furthermore, he has remained active in producing, taking on both starring and executive producing roles in films like Criminal Activities (2015) and Gotti (2018).
In February 2023, Travolta revisited the legendary “Summer Nights” scene from Grease during a T-Mobile Super Bowl commercial.
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Personal Life
In 1991, Travolta wed actress Kelly Preston, and the couple welcomed three children into their family. Sadly, their eldest son, Jett, died at the young age of 16 on January 2, 2009, while on vacation in the Bahamas; the cause of death was determined to be a seizure. Travolta has openly acknowledged that Jett had autism and endured frequent seizures. To honor his son, Travolta founded the Jett Travolta Foundation, which focuses on assisting children with special needs.
Tragically, Kelly Preston lost her battle with breast cancer on July 12, 2020, at the age of 57.
Although raised in a Catholic household, Travolta embraced the Church of Scientology in 1975 and continues to practice it. He has expressed gratitude to both his family and Scientology for their support during the grieving process following his son’s passing.
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Sexual Assault Allegations
A lawsuit was filed against Travolta by an anonymous masseur in May 2012, accusing him of sexual assault and battery. Following declarations from Travolta’s legal representatives asserting the allegations were “complete fiction and fabrication,” a second masseur later joined the suit with similar accusations. Ultimately, both lawsuits were dropped and dismissed by the complainants.
Real Estate
The Travoltas made a $3.5 million purchase in 1993 for a 2.35-acre residence located in LA’s Brentwood area. This estate includes a main house that spans 8,100 square feet, featuring seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a tennis court, a playground, and a sizable swimming pool. In January 2020, the property was sold to their neighbor, Scooter Braun, a well-known producer/manager, for $18 million. Braun and his wife, Yael Cohen, acquired the adjacent lot in 2014 for $13.1 million. Additionally, John owns a $2.65 million house in Calabasas, LA, which was bought in September 2019.
Beyond Los Angeles, Travolta possesses a 50-acre estate in Maine that he attempted to sell for $5 million in 2022, a mansion in Clearwater, Florida, which was close to Scientology’s headquarters and was sold for $4 million in 2021, and a distinctive residence located in Ocala, Florida, within the Jumbolair Aviation Estates. Presently, this property is valued at approximately $10 million. This community serves as a private airport for large aircraft. The Travoltas were among the first buyers in this development, where the runway is ample enough for John, an aviation enthusiast, to operate his various aircraft; it is estimated that he owns at least seven jets in addition to several smaller planes.