John Travolta - Actor Profile

John Travolta

Acting
Updated: Apr 13, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Feb 18, 1954
Birth Place: Englewood, New Jersey, USA

About John Travolta

John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is an American actor. He began acting on television before transitioning into a leading man in film. His accolades include a Primetime Emmy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and nominations for two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. Travolta came to prominence starring in the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter (1975–1979), followed by leading roles in Carrie (1976), Grease (1978), Urban Cowboy (1980), and Blow Out (1981). He earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his roles in Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Pulp Fiction (1994). His other notable films include Get Shorty (1995), Broken Arrow (1996), Michael (1996), Face/Off (1997), A Civil Action (1998), Primary Colors (1998), The General's Daughter (1999), The Punisher (2004), Wild Hogs (2007), Hairspray (2007), Bolt (2008), and Savages (2012). Travolta returned to television, portraying lawyer Robert Shapiro in the series The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. He received an Emmy Award as a producer and nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. He was also Emmy-nominated for his role in the action-comedy web series Die Hart (2021).  Travolta has released nine albums outside of acting, including four singles that charted on the Billboard Hot 100's Top 40. His albums typically accompanied films he starred in, such as Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture (1978), which topped the Billboard 200. Travolta is also a private pilot.

John Travolta Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of John Travolta reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of John Travolta's work falls within the Documentary genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 94% of John Travolta's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Nos Bastidores de Hollywood, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best John Travolta Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from John Travolta's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie John Travolta has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 The Kick That United A Nation Self Super Hit Similar →
2025 High Rollers Mason Goddard Hit Similar →
2023 Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
2023 The Shepherd Johnny Kavanagh Hit Similar →
2017 Saturday Night Fever: The Ultimate Disco Movie Self Super Hit Similar →
2017 The Grease Story Danny Zuko Super Hit Similar →
2017 Stayin' Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees Self - Host Super Hit Similar →
2017 John Travolta, le miraculé d'Hollywood Self - Actor (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2016 David Blaine: Beyond Magic Self Hit Similar →
2016 Close Encounters with Vilmos Zsigmond Self Hit Similar →
2015 Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley's Self Super Hit Similar →
2013 Quentin Tarantino: 20 Years of Filmmaking Self Hit Similar →
2012 Casting By Self Hit Similar →
2012 Close Up Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2012 Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2008 Bolt Bolt (voice) Hit Similar →
2008 Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History Self Super Hit Similar →
2007 Hairspray Edna Turnblad Hit Similar →
2007 Brando Self Hit Similar →
2006 Tony Bennett: An American Classic Self Super Hit Similar →
2005 Nos Bastidores de Hollywood Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2004 Ladder 49 Captain Mike Kennedy Average Similar →
2004 A Love Song for Bobby Long Bobby Long Hit Similar →
2004 AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies Host Super Hit Similar →
2004 John Travolta: The Inside Story Self Super Hit Similar →
2004 The Punisher Howard Saint Average Similar →
2003 Basic DEA Agent Tom Hardy Hit Similar →
1999 The General's Daughter Warrant Officer Paul Brenner Average Similar →
1999 Our Friend, Martin Kyle's Dad (voice) Hit Similar →
1999 Forever Hollywood Self Super Hit Similar →
1998 A Civil Action Jan Schlichtmann Hit Similar →
1998 The Thin Red Line Brig. Gen. David Quintard Hit Similar →
1998 Bee Gees: One Night Only Self - Tony Manero/Self - Danny Zuko (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
1998 Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's Self Hit Similar →
1997 Face/Off Sean Archer Hit Similar →
1997 Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life Self Hit Similar →
1996 Phenomenon George Malley Hit Similar →
1995 Get Shorty Chili Palmer Hit Similar →
1994 Pulp Fiction Vincent Vega Super Hit Similar →
1991 Eyes of an Angel Bobby Hit Similar →
1990 Seriously... Phil Collins Self Super Hit Similar →
1987 Basements Ben (segment "The Dumb Waiter") Hit Similar →
1985 That's Dancing! Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1981 Blow Out Jack Terry Hit Similar →
1980 Urban Cowboy Bud Davis Hit Similar →
1978 Grease Day USA Self Super Hit Similar →
1978 Grease Danny Zuko Hit Similar →
1977 Saturday Night Fever Tony Manero Hit Similar →
1976 Carrie Billy Nolan Hit Similar →
1974 Nightmare Man Outside Store (uncredited) Hit Similar →

John Travolta - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of John Travolta?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Travolta is "Nos Bastidores de Hollywood" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has John Travolta acted in?

John Travolta has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by John Travolta?

Other notable films include "Close Up", "Pulp Fiction", and "The Grease Story".

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