Latest news with #Travolta
7NEWS
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
‘Grease' star John Travolta's fall from $20M Hollywood paydays to box office bombs
Once among the biggest names in Hollywood, John Travolta is now more punchline than powerhouse, with recent flops and career missteps overshadowing a legacy that once included Oscar nods and million-dollar paydays. Despite iconic turns in Grease, Saturday Night Fever and a major comeback with Pulp Fiction, the 70-year-old actor's more recent efforts have failed to land. His latest films, High Rollers and Mob Land, barely registered with audiences — the latter pulling just £138 ($A287) at the UK box office, reported. Industry insiders say Travolta's staying power may have become his undoing. 'If Travolta had stopped after his Pulp Fiction comeback, he'd be remembered as one of the greats,' one Disney executive told news outlets. 'But now he's like that sad guest who overstayed their welcome at the party.' The reviews back it up. The Guardian labelled High Rollers 'a heart-slowing work of staggering stupidity,' while Rotten Tomatoes has yet to rate it — an awkward silence in itself. Travolta also holds the rare (and unfortunate) honour of scoring two films with a zero per cent rating on the site in the same year (Gotti and Speed Kills, both 2018). In recent years, Travolta has become a fixture in low-budget, straight-to-streaming thrillers known in the industry as 'geezer teezers' — a label popularised by Bruce Willis. These films trade on fading star power to drive rentals, with actors often appearing on screen for mere minutes. Travolta's career has also been dogged by persistent rumours and controversy. One missed opportunity? Turning down the lead in American Gigolo — a box office smash — allegedly over concerns about the film's 'gay subtext.' The role went to Richard Gere, launching him to stardom. It's a long fall for an actor who once lit up the screen — and the dance floor — but in Hollywood, comebacks are always just one hit away.
Los Angeles Times
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
John Travolta crashes ‘Grease' sing-along at Hollywood Bowl in full Danny Zuko flair
For 'Grease' fans in Los Angeles, recent summer nights had a surprise in store. We'll tell you more, tell you more. John Travolta, who brought life to bad boy heartthrob Danny Zuko in the 1978 classic, crashed the Hollywood Bowl's sing-along event Friday. He surprised not just the audience, but also fellow 'Grease' alumni as he sauntered on stage in his character's signature pompadour and leather jacket. 'No one knew, not even the cast,' Travolta, 71, recalled of the moment in an Instagram post shared Saturday. The 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Hairspray' star on Instagram shared a closer look at his Danny Zuko-inspired styling and posted a video of him reuniting with co-stars Didi Conn, Barry Pearl, Michael Tucci, Kelly Ward and 'Grease' filmmaker Randal Kleiser. Video from the sing-along shows audiences cheering and celebrating Travolta with a standing ovation. His surprise appearance came before the beginning of the sing-along, according to Entertainment Weekly. 'L.A.,' he says to fans before referencing a memorable line from the movie. 'I thought you were going back to Australia!' In that scene from 'Grease,' Danny excitedly greets his summer sweetheart Sandy, before quickly playing it too cool and aloof, saving face for his T-Birds greaser squad. Olivia Newton-John indelibly played the role of Sandy. She died on Aug. 8, 2022, at age 73. During Friday's event, Travolta and his co-stars led fans in singing 'A-womp-bop-a-looma-a-womp-bam-boom,' a line from the 'Grease' finale number 'We Go Together,' according to video from EW. He and his cast then left the stage and the sing-along began. 'Thank you for a great evening,' Travolta added in his Instagram post.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
John Travolta drops in at 'Grease' Hollywood Bowl performance dressed as Danny Zuko
Tell us about it, stud. John Travolta revived one of his most iconic characters over the weekend, surprising crowds at the Hollywood Bowl with a cameo as Danny Zuko in the venue's singalong "Grease" event June 27. Travolta, who played the greaser heartthrob in the original 1978 film, donned a leather jacket and slicked-back hair for the surprise appearance, delighting fans who themselves had dressed up for the occasion. "Tonight at the Hollywood Bowl, for the first time I surprised everyone at the GREASE Sing-A-Long and dressed up as Danny Zuko," Travolta, 71, wrote on Instagram. John Travolta recalls candid discussion about death with son Ben, 10, after wife Kelly Preston died "No one knew. Not even the cast. Thank you for a great evening," he wrote, alongside a photo of him in full Zuko garb and a video of his appearance. In the video, Travolta can be heard reciting some of Zuko's iconic lines in front of a roaring crowd, before instructing them to enjoy the show – a showing of "Grease" in which audience members are invited to sing along with the lyrics appearing on screen. Danny and Sandy finally get their movie-ending 'Grease' kiss, 40 years after it was cut Travolta wasn't the only "Grease" star who dropped in for the Hollywood Bowl showing. Joining him on stage was the film's director Randal Kleiser alongside Didi Conn, Barry Pearl, Kelly Ward and Michael Tucci, all who played Zuko's fellow high schoolers in the hit movie musical. Travolta's biggest name costar, Olivia Newton-John, died in 2022 after a battle with breast cancer. "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better," Travolta wrote in an Instagram post at the time. "Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!"
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
John Travolta surprises crowd by reprising Danny Zuko at Hollywood Bowl ‘Grease' night: WATCH VIDEO
John Travolta In a surprise that left the crowd astonished and sparked a wave of nostalgia, John Travolta amazed everyone by making a surprise cameo as his legendary character Danny Zuko during the 'Grease Sing-A-Long' at the Hollywood Bowl. The audience, gathered to celebrate the timeless musical classic, went wild when the 70-year-old actor walked onto the stage in casual style, dressed in character complete with a vintage blond wig. Travolta, who first played the slick-talking Zuko in the 1978 blockbuster musical film, posted a video and photo from the evening on Instagram and explained that not even his co-stars or the event organisers knew he would appear. 'Tonight at the Hollywood Bowl for the first time I surprised everybody at the 'GREASE Sing-A-Long' and dressed up as Danny Zuko. Nobody knew. Not even the cast. Great night, thanks,' he wrote. A throwback entrance that left the crowd on its feet Striding in from stage right, Travolta was met with a deafening standing ovation. He didn't just make a quiet cameo — he joined the audience in a roaring chorus of 'wop-bop-a-loo-bop,' capturing the film's most carefree and charming spirit. As he left the stage, he waved at the crowd and shouted, 'Enjoy the show. We love you!' Fans had already been treated to appearances by Grease director Randal Kleiser and cast members Didi Conn, Kelly Ward, Barry Pearl and Michael Tucci. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here But it was Travolta's surprise visit that truly lit up the evening and reminded everyone why Grease remains a favourite film musical. The magic of Danny Zuko still lives on As reported by Deadline, Travolta's cameo was kept so secret that even the production team of the show was caught off guard. The night was already an emotional reunion for fans of the musical, but Travolta's appearance lifted the energy to unforgettable heights. His gesture not only showed his lasting affection for the character that launched him into stardom, but also proved how deeply Grease continues to resonate across generations. It felt as if Danny and Sandy had never really left the stage, with the Hollywood Bowl glowing and fans singing along in harmony.
Metro
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
John Travolta reprises iconic Grease role 46 years after the original
A Grease comeback in 2025 was not on our bingo cards, but we are hopelessly devoted to his new look. John Travolta left fans speechless at the Hollywood Bowl last night by bringing back his classic Danny Zuko get-up. The signature slicked-back quiff and leather jacket were back on the stage for a surprise Grease sing-along gig. Travolta, now 71, appeared spontaneously on stage to roaring applause at the La La Land outdoor event celebrating the 1978 musical comedy. Surprising not only fans but also his former Grease co‑stars who were in attendance – the audience went wild when Travolta emerged as Danny. The audience wasn't the only ones in complete shock, Travolta kept his surprise show a secret from the Grease cast: Barry Pearl, Michael Tucci, Kelly Ward, Didi Conn and even director Randal Kleiser were not in the know. Travolta himself later confirmed on Instagram that 'no one knew' about the surprise appearance, not even his on‑screen pals. Once on stage, Travolta dropped into character, joking in true Zuko style: 'L.A., I thought you were going back to Australia? That's cool, that's cool, baby…' He went on to lead the cast into a heartwarming chorus of We Go Together before closing the unforgettable show with the line, 'Enjoy the show, we love you!' Travolta's return to the role echoes a similar reunion from 2019, when he and the late Olivia Newton‑John, who died in 2022, surprised fans at a Florida sing‑along, both clad in full Danny and Sandy gear. Fans adored the moment when Travolta picked up his high-quality Zuko wig. Travolta said at the time he found the 50s-style hairdo suited him better than his own bald look, and this year's Hollywood Bowl appearance gave the fans the nostalgia they were craving. The 2019 event also marked a reunion with Newton‑John, who cherished the time spent reliving their iconic Grease roles on stage together. Newton‑John later reflected that the energy was incredible, saying: 'That movie is still loved … the excitement from the people, it was amazing'. More Trending Her infamous leather jacket from the final scene of the 1970s classic was auctioned off, with all proceeds going to her cancer wellness foundation. As for Travolta, he proved last night that Zuko can still light up a summer night, just like he did in 1978. Whether the wig is rollers for Edna Turnblad or covered in gel for Zuko, the actor remains one of the best showmen of all time. And as the Hollywood Bowl event showed, with a quiff, a leather jacket and a wink, Travolta has very much still got it. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Who's who at Jeff Bezos's $10,000,000 wedding as A-list guests 'descend on Venice' MORE: Justin Bieber changes his name in bizarre move on Instagram MORE: 'Gifted' Mulholland Drive singer Rebekah Del Rio dies aged 57
