John Travolta

US actor John Travolta poses following the screening of the film "Savages", during the 60th San Sebastian International Film Festival, on September 23, 2012, in the northern Spanish Basque city of San Sebastian. AFP PHOTO/ RAFA RIVAS (Photo credit should read RAFA RIVAS/AFP/GettyImages)

Actor John Travolta speaks to the media at a Bombardier Aircraft press conference at Burbank Airport September 20, 2011 in Burbank, California. Travolta discussed his new role with Bombardier Aircraft as its business aircraft brand ambassador.

John Travolta, Qantas Goodwill Ambassador talks to the Australian team as the Socceroos prepare ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, at Kloofzicht Lodge on June 11, 2010 in Muldersdrift, South Africa.

Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Fiore Films

Actor John Travolta attends the "Gotti" press conference at Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, Central Park West Room on April 12, 2011 in New York City.

The cast and crew of "Welcome Back, Kotter" (L-R) Marcia Strassman, Robert Hegyes, John Travolta and Ellen Travolta accept the 35th Anniversary Award onstage at the 9th Annual TV Land Awards at the Javits Center on April 10, 2011 in New York City.

US actor John Travolta arrives on stage during the awardings of the Goldene Kamera 2011 (Golden Camera Media Prize) of the Axel Springer Verlag publishing house on February 5, 2010 in Berlin. AFP PHOTO POOL TOBIAS SCHWARZ

Actor John Travolta attends the 9th Annual TV Land Awards at the Javits Center on April 10, 2011 in New York City.

New Jersey native John Travolta studied acting, singing and dancing as a child and and quit school at 16 to pursue his career. He made his debut in a summer stock production of "Bye-Bye Birdie" and, at 18, landed a role in the Broadway production of "Grease." Here, he and his sister, Ellen, hold "Grease" Playbills at the Royale Theater in New York.

Travolta became America's heartthrob when he played Vinnie Barbarino from 1975-79 in the TV show "Welcome Back, Kotter." Here, he plants a screen kiss on co-star Olivia Newton-John as the two rehearse a scene for the movie version of "Grease," Sept. 7, 1977.

Despite his dance lessons as a child, Travolta spent nine months studying disco dancing for his breakout role as Tony Manero in 1977's "Saturday Night Fever," which earned him his first Academy Award nomination. Here, Travolta and choreographer Alvin Ailey strike a pose backstage after a performance of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Dec. 14, 1978.

Travolta is seen talking to Lois Zetter,at the 50th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on April 4, 1978. Travolta was nominated for best actor for his role in "Saturday Night Fever." He got a second Oscar nomination for the role of a mafia hitman in 1994's "Pulp Fiction."

Co-stars Lily Tomlin and John Travolta are shown at a news conference to promote their new movie "Moment by Moment" in Chicago, Ill., in December 1978. His career went into a decline for years until he gained attention in the 1990s with the comedy "Look Who's Talking" and the Quentin Tarantino drama "Pulp Fiction."

Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis pose at the premiere of their movie, "Perfect," in New York on May 29, 1985. It was part of a string of forgettable Travolta films that decade.

Travolta poses after being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles June 5, 1985.

Travolta dances with Princess Diana at a White House dinner, Nov. 9, 1985.

On Sept. 5, 1991, Travolta married actress Kelly Preston, whom he met while filming "The Experts." They have a son, Jett, born in 1992, and a daughter. Ella Bleu, born in 2000. Here, the couple attend the 47th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards in Beverly Hills March 11, 1995.

Nicole Kidman and John Travolta share a moment after receiving their trophies at the Golden Globe Awards Jan. 21, 1996, in Beverly Hills. Kidman won best actress in a musical or comedy motion picture for her role in "To Die For." Travolta won best actor in a musical or comedy motion picture for his role in "Get Shorty."

Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston, second from right, pose with Tom Hanks and his wife, actress Rita Wilson, second from left, before the annual Academy Awards nominees luncheon March 14, 1995. Travolta was nominated in the best actor category for "Pulp Fiction," and Hanks for "Forrest Gump." (Hanks won.)

Travolta played the villain in 2001's "Swordfish." In more than 40 movies, Travolta has created some memorable charactera, including disco king Tony Manero, hitman Vinnie Vega ("Pulp Fiction") and Chili Palmer ("Get Shorty"), talkative cabbie James Ubriacco "Look Who's Talking"), real-life crusader Jan Schlichtmann ("A Civil Action"), and a southern governor patterned after President Clinton ("Primary Colors").

An accomplished pilot, Travolta owns, and is qualified to fly, a Boeing 707 once operated by QANTAS of Australia. In 2003, he had the aircraft painted in its original QANTAS colors and took it on a worldwide promotional tour for QANTAS. In return, he was trained as a 747-400 first officer with Qantas. Here, he tips his hat during a visit to Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 2003.

John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are reunited at Paramount Home Entertainment's release of the movie, "Grease'" on DVD in Los Angeles Sept. 24, 2002. Here, they share a duet. Travolta has dabbled in a music career and released several albums.

Travolta, left, and Cathy Allen, director of the College Park Aviation Museum, look at some of the exhibits at College Park, Md., museum. Travolta dropped by the museum after wrapping up filming "Ladder 49" in Baltimore. The museum celebrates the College Park Airfield, the longest operating airfield in the world. Travolta lent financial support to keep the airport open.

Interior Secretary Gale Norton, left, and Travolta, center, listen to President Bush speak Dec. 17, 2003, in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., during a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight.

Travolta arrives at the 2002 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards at New York's Radio City Music Hall Oct. 15, 2002.

Travolta arrives at the Excelsior Hotel for the 61st edition of the Venice Film Festival Sept. 2, 2004. Travolta was in Venice to present his latest movie, "A Love Song For Bobby Long," which was shown out of competition.

Travolta and actress Scarlett Johansson pose during a press conference at the 61st edition of the Venice Film Festival Sept. 2, 2004. Travolta and Johansson were in Venice to present their latest movie, "A Love Song For Bobby Long."