John Travolta Net Worth (Money & Salary)
John Travolta Net Worth (Money & Salary)
February 10, 2025
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Learn About John Travolta’s Net Worth and Salary
Discover John Travolta’s impressive journey as an American actor, singer, producer, and dancer with an estimated net worth of $250 million. His career has been marked by phases of critical acclaim and popularity, showcasing his versatility and resilience as an actor. Emerging as a cultural icon in the 1970s with roles in “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease,” Travolta secured his position as a leading figure in the disco and musical film era. His ability to portray intricate characters with charm and depth solidified his status as a household name.
In the 1980s, Travolta faced career challenges, but his unwavering commitment to acting kept him active in the industry. However, it was his role in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” in the 1990s that sparked a remarkable resurgence. This film not only revived his career but also introduced him to a new generation of movie enthusiasts, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Following this resurgence, Travolta explored various genres, excelling in roles ranging from action and thriller to comedy and drama. Acclaimed performances in movies like “Face/Off,” “Get Shorty,” and “Primary Colors” demonstrated his ability to adapt to diverse characters. His appearances in films such as “Ladder 49,” “Hairspray,” and “Swordfish” further highlighted his enduring allure in Hollywood.
Noteworthy Film Salaries
Over his career, John Travolta has accumulated substantial earnings from movie salaries. While he initially earned $150,000 for “Pulp Fiction” in 1994, the film’s massive success revitalized his career. For a decade from the mid-1990s, his movie fee consistently stood at $20 million. Here are some highlights of John’s prominent film salaries:
- 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 alone, which are just a portion of his filmography, total $230 million in salary.
The narrative unfolds in 1994 with “Pulp Fiction,” a movie that reshaped modern cinema and revived Travolta’s then-diminishing career. Despite a humble payment of $150,000 for this pivotal role, the significant impact on his career trajectory was undeniable. “Pulp Fiction” not only reignited Travolta’s stardom but also positioned him as a premier actor in Hollywood.
His escalating salaries for subsequent films reflected this resurgence. “Get Shorty” (1995) marked the beginning of a noticeable increase at $6 million. This upward trajectory continued with “Broken Arrow” (1996) at $7 million, “Phenomenon” (1996) at $8 million, and “Michael” (1996) at $12 million. By the time “Face/Off” hit theaters in 1997, Travolta’s salary had surged to $20 million, underscoring his revitalized box office appeal.
“Mad City” (1997) and “Primary Colors” (1998) sustained the high earning trend, each fetching $20 million and $17 million, respectively. “A Civil Action” (1998) witnessed him securing another $20 million paycheck. As the 2000s approached, Travolta’s influence in Hollywood was undisputed, with “The General’s Daughter” (1999) also commanding $20 million.
Entering the new millennium, “Battlefield Earth” (2000) witnessed a salary decline to $10 million, perhaps reflecting mixed audience reception. However, this setback was short-lived, as “Swordfish” (2001) restored his standard $20 million fee. Subsequent years saw consistent high earnings for Travolta, with “Basic” (2003) at $15 million, “Ladder 49” (2004), and “Be Cool” (2005) each at $20 million. His role in “Hairspray” (2007) also earned an impressive $14 million, embodying his versatility and enduring appeal.
Insight into Early Life
John Travolta was born on February 18, 1954, as the youngest of six children. His mother, Helen Cecilia, transitioned from a successful career as part of The Sunshine Sisters, a radio vocal group, to a high school teacher. His father, Salvatore, transformed from a semi-professional American football player to a tire salesman.
An Era of Success Commences
Leaving high school at 17 in 1971, Travolta embarked on his journey to New York City, securing roles on Broadway in the production Over Here! and the traveling cast of Grease. His relocation to Los Angeles further propelled his career, with a significant screen debut in the 1976 horror film Carrie. He also gained prominence as Vinnie Barbarino in ABC’s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-79).
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Travolta enjoyed immense success both musically and cinematically. His single “Let Her In” peaked at number 10 on the July 1976 Billboard Hot 100 chart. Notable film appearances in Saturday Night Fever (1977), Grease (1978), and Urban Cowboy (1980) further solidified his status. His portrayal in Saturday Night Fever earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, making him one of the youngest to achieve this recognition at just 24 years old.
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images
Challenges and Revival
The 1980s posed hurdles for Travolta after the successes of the 1970s. Movies like Two of a Kind (1983) and Perfect (1985) faced commercial and critical setbacks, despite the commercial success of Staying Alive, the 1983 sequel to Saturday Night Fever, which grossed over $65 million but failed to impress critics.
An exceptional comeback arrived in 1989 with Look Who’s Talking, grossing $297 million—his most successful film after Grease. He solidified his revived A-list status with an Academy Award-nominated role in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994), leading to a surge in movie offers and a productive 1990s for Travolta.From the period, notable films he starred in include Get Shorty (1995), Face/Off (1997), and A Civil Action.
A busy period for Travolta continued in the 2000s as an actor, with multiple film appearances such as Swordfish (2001), Ladder 49 (2004), Be Cool (2005), Lonely Hearts (2006), Wild Hogs (2007), and Old Dogs (2009). Additionally, he showcased his talent in the musical scene by portraying Edna Turnblad in the 2007 remake of Hairspray.
Diversifying his acting roles, Travolta took on new projects during this time. In 2008, he lent his voice to the animated film Bolt and provided voiceovers for the 2005 documentary Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D. He also fulfilled a long-time ambition by starring in and co-producing the science fiction film Battlefield Earth in 2000, a project he had dreamed of since L. Ron Hubbard’s novel was released in 1982.
Since 2010, Travolta’s acting focus shifted mainly to action and thriller genres. Notable works 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). He also remained active in producing, starring, and executive producing films such as Criminal Activities (2015) and Gotti (2018).
John Travolta recreated the iconic “Summer Nights” scene from Grease in a Super Bowl commercial for T-Mobile in February 2023.
(LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)
Personal Life
Travolta tied the knot with actress Kelly Preston in 1991, and they had three children together. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when their eldest son, Jett, passed away on January 2, 2009, at the age of 16 due to a seizure. Jett, who had autism, inspired Travolta to establish the Jett Travolta Foundation dedicated to helping children with special needs.
On July 12, 2020, Kelly Preston passed away at 57 after battling breast cancer.
Though raised in a Catholic household, Travolta converted to the Church of Scientology in 1975, a faith he remains dedicated to. He attributes his family and Scientology for aiding him in coping with the loss of his son.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Sexual Assault Allegations
In May 2012, an anonymous masseur filed a lawsuit against Travolta, alleging sexual assault and battery. Despite denials from Travolta’s legal team, a second masseur joined the lawsuit with similar claims. However, both lawsuits were dropped by the accusers and dismissed.
Real Estate
In 1993, the Travoltas acquired a 2.35-acre home in LA’s Brentwood neighborhood for $3.5 million. The property boasts an 8,100 square-foot main house with seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a tennis court, a playground, and a sizeable swimming pool. In January 2020, they sold the property to their neighbor Scooter Braun for $18 million. John also maintains a $2.65 million home in Calabasas, purchased in September 2019.
Besides their LA properties, Travolta owns a 50-acre estate in Maine, a mansion in Clearwater, Florida, and a unique home in Ocala, Florida, at the Jumbolair Aviation Estates. He listed the Maine estate for sale in 2022 for $5 million, sold the Clearwater mansion for $4 million in 2021, and the Ocala property is now valued at around $10 million. The aviation-themed neighborhood features a private airport capable of accommodating large planes, a fitting location for Travolta, known for his passion for aviation and owning multiple aircraft including seven jets.
2023 and 2024 are the years for the data, with forecasts extended up to 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028.
John Travolta Net Worth (Money & Salary)