John Travolta Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is John Travolta’s Net Worth and Salary?

With a net worth estimated at $250 million, John Travolta is a multifaceted American actor, singer, producer, and dancer. His career showcases an intriguing journey that spans various periods of both critical acclaim and widespread popularity, emphasizing his adaptability and endurance as an actor. Gaining recognition in the 1970s, he became a cultural symbol through his iconic role in “Saturday Night Fever.” This performance, coupled with his portrayal in “Grease,” solidified his position as a prominent figure during the disco and musical film era. His knack for capturing the essence of complex characters with charisma and nuance made him a household name.

However, Travolta faced challenges in the 1980s as his career began to wane. Despite these setbacks, he remained committed to the industry, showcasing his love for acting. The 1990s marked a significant revival, primarily attributed to his performance in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction.” This project not only reinvigorated his career but also introduced him to a fresh audience, demonstrating his versatility as an actor.

In the wake of this comeback, Travolta embraced a wide array of roles across various genres, ranging from action to comedy and drama. His performances in films such as “Face/Off,” “Get Shorty,” and “Primary Colors” garnered critical praise, affirming his capability to adjust to different roles. Moreover, his work in “Ladder 49,” “Hairspray,” and “Swordfish” continued to highlight his lasting appeal in Hollywood.

Notable Film Salaries

Throughout his career, John Travolta has accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars through his film salaries. He received only $150,000 for his role in “Pulp Fiction” in 1994, but as many recognize, the film’s tremendous success completely revitalized his career. For a decade starting in the mid-1990s, he reliably commanded earnings of $20 million per film. Below is a compilation of John’s most significant 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 films, comprising only a fraction of his extensive filmography, accumulate to a total of $230 million in salaries.

The journey commenced in 1994 with “Pulp Fiction,” a film that revolutionized modern cinema and rekindled Travolta’s declining career. For this influential character, Travolta received a mere $150 thousand, an amount that understated the film’s significant effect on his career path. “Pulp Fiction” not only revived Travolta’s celebrity status but also restored him as a premier actor in Hollywood.

The subsequent films reflected his rising salaries, beginning with “Get Shorty” (1995) which earned him $6 million. Following this upward trajectory, he received $7 million for “Broken Arrow” (1996), $8 million for “Phenomenon” the same year, and $12 million for “Michael” (1996). By the time “Face/Off” was released in
the successes of the 1970s, the 1980s became a challenging era marked by a sequence of disappointments in Travolta’s career. Both Two of a Kind (1983) and Perfect (1985) failed to resonate with audiences and critics alike, leading to a downturn in his cinematic appeal. Staying Alive, the 1983 sequel to Saturday Night Fever, while financially successful with a gross over $65 million, did not garner a favorable response from critics.

Similarly, in 1997, Travolta’s earning power surged to $20 million, underscoring his regained standing at the box office.

With “Mad City” (1997) and “Primary Colors” (1998), he continued to enjoy this lucrative income, with earnings of $20 million and $17 million, respectively. Again, he earned a $20 million salary for “A Civil Action” (1998), and as the 1990s came to an end, his prominence was evident with “The General’s Daughter” (1999), which also netted $20 million.

Transitioning into the 21st century, his salary for “Battlefield Earth” (2000) dropped to $10 million, likely reflecting the film’s mixed reviews. However, this decline proved short-lived as “Swordfish” (2001) reinstated his $20 million salary watermark. In the subsequent years, a steady trend of high earnings for Travolta emerged, with “Basic” (2003) earning him $15 million, and both “Ladder 49” (2004) and “Be Cool” (2005) bringing in $20 million each. His performance in “Hairspray” (2007) also earned a notable $14 million, demonstrating his lasting charm and versatility.

Early Life

Born as the youngest of six siblings on February 18, 1954, Travolta came from a family rich in performing arts. His mother, Helen Cecilia, an accomplished actress and singer, had a notable career with The Sunshine Sisters, a radio vocal group, before she transitioned to teaching high school. His father, Salvatore, transitioned from a semi-professional American football career to work as a tire salesman.

Beginnings of Success

At 17, in 1971, Travolta dropped out of high school and ventured to New York City, where he landed a part in the Broadway show Over Here! and joined the touring cast of Grease. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Los Angeles to advance his career further. In California, his significant breakthrough came with the horror film Carrie in 1976. He also gained recognition playing Vinnie Barbarino in the ABC sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-79).

Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Travolta achieved remarkable success both in film and music. In July 1976, his hit single “Let Her In” shot to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He starred in several blockbuster films, including Saturday Night Fever (1977), Grease (1978), and Urban Cowboy (1980). His performance in Saturday Night Fever earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, making him one of the youngest nominees to reach such acclaim at the age of 24.

Overcoming these challenges, Travolta made a comeback in 1989 with Look Who’s Talking, which earned $297 million—marking his most successful film after Grease. His role in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994), which was nominated for an Academy Award, further confirmed and solidified his return to A-list status. With a surge in movie offers, the 1990s proved to be a prolific era for Travolta, featuring significant films such as Get Shorty (1995), Face/Off (1997), and A Civil Action (1998).

The 2000s remained a dynamic decade for Travolta as he starred in numerous films, including Swordfish (2001), Ladder 49 (2004), Be Cool (2005), Lonely Hearts (2006), Wild Hogs (2007), and Old Dogs (2009). His performance in drag as Edna Turnblad in the 2007 remake of Hairspray marked his return to musicals since Grease.

Throughout this time, Travolta explored new ventures outside of his traditional acting roles. He lent his voice to the title character in the animated film Bolt in 2008 and contributed voiceovers for the 2005 documentary Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D. In 2000, he pursued a passion project, co-producing and starring in the science fiction film Battlefield Earth, based on L. Ron Hubbard’s novel of the same name—an endeavor he had envisioned since the book’s release in 1982, inspired by a personal request from Hubbard to assist in adapting the story into a film.

From 2010 onwards, Travolta’s filmography has largely focused on action and thriller genres. His titles during 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 has also continued his work in production, serving as both star and executive producer for films like 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

In 1991, Travolta wed actress Kelly Preston, and the couple welcomed three children together. Their eldest son, Jett, tragically passed away on January 2, 2009, at the age of 16 during a vacation in the Bahamas, with the official cause of death attributed to a seizure. Travolta revealed that his son had autism and experienced frequent seizures. To honor his son’s memory, Travolta founded the Jett Travolta Foundation, aimed at assisting children with special needs.

Sadly, Kelly Preston succumbed to breast cancer on July 12, 2020, at the age of 57.

Although he grew up in a Catholic family, Travolta converted to the Church of Scientology in 1975, a faith he has continued to practice. He has acknowledged the positive influence of his family and Scientology in his life.

Sexual Assault Allegations

A lawsuit alleging sexual assault and battery was filed against Travolta by an anonymous masseur in May 2012. Statements from Travolta’s legal representatives labeled the accusations as “complete fiction and fabrication.” Subsequently, a second masseur joined the lawsuit with similar claims. Ultimately, both lawsuits were withdrawn by the complainants and officially dismissed.

Real Estate

In 1993, the Travolta family purchased a 2.35-acre residence in Brentwood, Los Angeles, for $3.5 million. This property includes an 8,100 square-foot main house with seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a tennis court, a playground, and a sizable swimming pool. They sold this home in January 2020 to their next-door neighbor, Scooter Braun, a prominent producer/manager, for $18 million. Braun and his wife, Yael Cohen, had acquired the adjacent lot in 2014 for $13.1 million. Additionally, John owns a $2.65 million residence in Calabasas, which he bought in September 2019.

Beyond Los Angeles, Travolta possesses a 50-acre estate in Maine, which he attempted to sell in 2022 for $5 million, a Clearwater, Florida mansion near the Scientology headquarters that he sold for $4 million in 2021, and a unique home in Ocala, Florida, located in the Jumbolair Aviation Estates neighborhood. This property is currently valued at approximately $10 million. The neighborhood serves as a functioning private airport suitable for larger aircraft. Travolta was among the first buyers in this development. The runway accommodates his multiple aircraft, as he is an enthusiastic aviator; it is reported that he owns at least seven jets along with several smaller planes.