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One of six children born to Helen and Salvatore Travolta,
John Travolta grew up in Englewood, New Jersey. His father owned a tire repair
shop in Englewood. John appeared in a local production of "Who'll Save the Plowboy?"
His mother enrolled him in a drama school in New York, where he studied voice,
dancing, and acting. He decided to combine all three of these skills and become
a musical comedy performer. At 16, John landed his first professional job in a
summer stock production of the musical "Bye Bye Birdie." John Travolta quit school
at 16 and moved to New York. He worked regularly in summer stock and on TV commercial
s. When work was scarce in New York, he went to Hollywood and appeared in minor
roles in several series. A role in the national touring company of the hit fifties
musical "Grease" brought him back to New York. An opening in the New York production
of "Grease" gave John his first Broadway role at age 18. After "Grease", John
became a member of the company of the Broadway show "Over Here," which starred
the famed Andrews Sisters. After 10 months in "Over Here," John decided to try
Hollywood once again. Once in Hollywood, John had no trouble getting roles in
numerous TV shows. He was seen on "The Rookies," "Emergency," and "Medical Center."
and also made a movie, "Devil's Rain." "Devil's Rain" was made in New Mexico.
The day he returned to Hollywood from New Mexico, John was called to an audition
for a new situation comedy series ABC was planning to produce called "Welcome
Back, Kotter." John got the part of Vinnie Barbarino and the series went on the
air during the 1975 fall season. | |
