John Travolta Net Worth (Money & Salary)

John Travolta’s Net Worth and Salary – What is it?

John Travolta, the American actor, singer, producer, and dancer, boasts a net worth of $250 million. His career showcases resilience and versatility as he navigated through periods of critical acclaim and popularity. His journey began in the 1970s when he emerged as a cultural icon with roles in “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease,” solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the disco and musical film era. His ability to bring charm and depth to complex characters made him a household name.

While facing career challenges in the 1980s, Travolta remained dedicated to acting. The 1990s marked a remarkable resurgence for him, predominantly with his role in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction.” This film not only revived his career but also introduced him to a new generation of moviegoers, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

Travolta tackled various genres in the following years, from action and thriller to comedy and drama. Critically acclaimed performances in films like “Face/Off,” “Get Shorty,” and “Primary Colors” displayed his adaptability to diverse roles. His roles in “Ladder 49,” “Hairspray,” and “Swordfish” reiterated his enduring appeal in Hollywood.

Noteworthy Film Salaries

Throughout his career, John Travolta amassed hundreds of millions from film salaries. Although he earned a modest $150,000 for “Pulp Fiction” in 1994, the massive success revitalized his career. From the mid-1990s onwards, he consistently earned $20 million per movie. Notable film salaries include:

• 1994: Pulp Fiction – $150 Thousand
• 1995: Get Shorty – $6 Million
• 1996: Broken Arrow – $7 Million
• 1996: Phenomenon – $8 Million
• 1996: Michael – $12 Million
• 1997: Face/Off – $20 Million
• 1997: Mad City – $20 Million
• 1998: Primary Colors – $17 Million
• 1998: A Civil Action – $20 Million
• 1999: The General’s Daughter – $20 Million
• 2000: Battlefield Earth – $10 Million
• 2001: Swordfish – $20 Million
• 2003: Basic – $15 Million
• 2004: Ladder 49 – $20 Million
• 2005: Be Cool – $20 Million
• 2007: Hairspray – $14 Million

= $230 million

These 16 movies only make up a portion of his total filmography salary, totaling $230 million.

The story started with “Pulp Fiction” in 1994, a film that reshaped modern cinema and rejuvenated Travolta’s then-dwindling career. Despite earning a modest $150 thousand for this crucial role, the film had a monumental impact on his career trajectory. It not only revived his stardom but also established him as a leading Hollywood actor.

His subsequent films saw a rise in earnings. “Get Shorty” (1995) marked an increase, fetching him $6 million. This upward trajectory continued with “Broken Arrow” (1996) earning $7 million, “Phenomenon” and “Michael” (1996) at $8 million and $12 million, respectively. By 1997, with “Face/Off,” Travolta’s salary soared to $20 million, reaffirming his box office appeal.

“Mad City” (1997) and “Primary Colors” (1998) maintained his high earning standards, each fetching $20 million and $17 million, respectively. “A Civil Action” (1998) also saw him commanding a $20 million paycheck. As the millennium drew to a close, his star power was indisputable, with “The General’s Daughter” (1999) also securing $20 million.

As the new millennium kicked off, “Battlefield Earth” (2000) saw a dip in his earnings to $10 million, possibly reflecting the mixed reception of the film. However, this setback was short-lived as “Swordfish” (2001) restored his $20 million income benchmark. Subsequent years showcased a consistent string of high earnings for Travolta, with “Basic” (2003) at $15 million, “Ladder 49” (2004), “Be Cool” (2005), particularly at $20 million each. His role in “Hairspray” (2007) also garnered an impressive $14 million, underlining his versatility and enduring popularity.

Early Years

John Travolta, born on February 18, 1954, was the youngest among six siblings. His mother, Helen Cecilia, previously a successful member of The Sunshine Sisters, transitioned from being an actress and singer to a high school teacher. His father, Salvatore, pivoted from a semi-professional American football player to a tire salesman.

Path to Success

His journey began by leaving high school at 17 in 1971 and moving to New York City. There, he landed roles in Broadway’s Over Here! and Grease on the traveling circuit. Soon after, he headed to Los Angeles to further his acting career. His significant screen debut was in the 1976 horror film Carrie, followed by the role of Vinnie Barbarino in ABC’s TV sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-79).

During the 1970s and early 1980s, Travolta experienced immense success both on and off the screen. He achieved a top ten Billboard Hot 100 hit with “Let Her In” in July 1976. His film credits include hits like Saturday Night Fever (1977), Grease (1978), and Urban Cowboy (1980). His role in Saturday Night Fever earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, making him one of the youngest to receive such recognition at 24.

Challenges and Comeback

Despite the triumphs in the 1970s, the 1980s brought setbacks affecting Travolta’s career. Films like Two of a Kind (1983) and Perfect (1985) failed commercially and critically. While Staying Alive (1983), the sequel to Saturday Night Fever, was a commercial success grossing over $65 million, critics were less enthusiastic.

A triumphant return came in 1989 with Look Who’s Talking, grossing $297 million—his most successful film post Grease. He solidified his A-list status with an Academy Award-nominated role in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994). The 1990s were fruitful as he received a surge in movie offers, marking a productive phase in Travolta’s career.

From the period, notable films he starred in include

Get Shorty (1995), Face/Off (1997), and A Civil Action (1998).

A busy period for Travolta as an actor continued in the 2000s, starring in multiple films such as

Swordfish (2001), Ladder 49 (2004), Be Cool (2005), Lonely Hearts (2006), Wild Hogs (2007), and Old Dogs (2009). In 2007, he appeared in his first musical since Grease, performing in drag as Edna Turnblad in the remake of Hairspray.

Travolta pursued new types of projects away from his previous traditional acting roles during this period. In 2008, he voiced the title character for the animated film Bolt and provided voiceovers for the 2005 documentary film Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D. In 2000, he starred in and co-produced the science fiction film Battlefield Earth, a long-held dream project based on the novel of the same name by L. Ron Hubbard.

In recent times, his acting projects have predominantly been in the genres of action and thrillers. Films from this period include titles like 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). Additionally, he has continued producing, working on films such as Criminal Activities (2015) and Gotti (2018).

In February 2023, John Travolta recreated the iconic “Summer Nights” scene from Grease in a Super Bowl commercial for T-Mobile.

Personal Life

Married to actress Kelly Preston in 1991, Travolta and Preston had three children. Their eldest son, Jett, passed away on January 2, 2009, at the age of 16, while on vacation in the Bahamas, with the official cause of death listed as a seizure. Travolta confirmed that Jett had autism and suffered from regular seizures. In memory of Jett, Travolta founded the Jett Travolta Foundation, dedicated to serving children with special needs.

Tragically, Kelly Preston died on July 12, 2020, at the age of 57 after battling breast cancer.

Despite being raised in a Catholic family, Travolta converted to the Church of Scientology in 1975, a practice he has maintained. He credited both his immediate family and Scientology for help in coping with the loss of his son.

Sexual Assault Allegations

A lawsuit was filed against Travolta in May 2012 by an anonymous masseur alleging sexual assault and battery. While Travolta’s legal team termed the allegations as “complete fiction and fabrication,” a second masseur later joined the lawsuit with similar claims. However, both lawsuits were dropped by the complainants and eventually dismissed.

Real Estate

In 1993, the Travoltas purchased a 2.35-acre home in LA’s Brentwood neighborhood for $3.5 million. The property includes an 8,100 square-foot main house, seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a tennis court, a playground, and a large swimming pool. In January 2020, they sold the home to their next-door neighbor, mega-producer/manager Scooter Braun, for $18 million. John also owns a $2.65 million home in Calabasas, purchased in September 2019.

Outside of LA, Travolta owns a 50-acre estate in Maine, which he attempted to sell for $5 million in 2022, a mansion in Clearwater, Florida, near the Scientology headquarters, sold for $4 million in 2021, and a unique home in Ocala, Florida, located in the Jumbolair Aviation Estates neighborhood. The property is currently valued at around $10 million. This neighborhood boasts a private airport for large planes, an ideal setup for Travolta, who is an avid aviator with at least seven jets in his possession alongside smaller aircraft.