Coolest Throwback Photos of John Travolta

John Travolta is celebrating a milestone birthday!

The legendary actor who starred in classics such as Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Face Off, Pulp Fiction and many more blockbusters, is turning 70 on Feb. 18! He first came on the scene playing a bully in 1976's Carrie and has consistently delivered outstanding performances since.

Travolta married the love of his life, actress Kelly Preston in 1991 and the two welcomed three children together — Jett, Ella Bleu and Benjamin. Sadly, the couple's oldest son Jett died in January 2009 while on vacation with his family in the Bahamas. He was 16.

On July 12, 2020, Travolta announced via Instagram that his beloved wife had died at the age of 57 following a two-year battle with breast cancer. "Kelly's love and life will always be remembered," the actor wrote.

Throughout all the sadness, Travolta has made it a point to continue looking at the good in life and remains a source of strength for Ella and Benjamin. Last August, the Saturday Night Fever actor opened up about the emotional conversation he and his son had after Preston's death when Ben revealed he was afraid to lose his dad too.

"I said, 'But you know, Ben … you always love the truth and I'm going to tell you the truth about life. Nobody knows when they're gonna go or when they're going to stay,' " John recalled.

He continued, "Your brother [Jett] left at 16. Too young. Your mother left at 57. That was too young. But who's to say? I could die tomorrow. You could. Anybody can," he said. "So let's look at it like it's part of life. You don't know exactly. You just do your best at trying to live the longest you can."

In celebration of one of film's greatest icons, check out some of John Travolta's coolest throwback pictures below.

Early Days

John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino in a 1975 promotional shot for Welcome Back, Kotter.

Too Cool

In a still from his 1977 breakout, Saturday Night Fever.

Making a Classic

As Danny Zuko in his 1978 fan favorite, Grease.

Smiles All Around

Smiling in a photograph taken in the late 1970s.

Suited and Booted

Glowing in gray during a promotional shoot in London in 1981.

He's Got the Moves

Hitting his mark as dancer Tony Manero in 1983's Staying Alive.

Just Married

Travolta and Preston days after their 1991 wedding, keeping cozy in Deauville, France.

So Smoldering

In an undated headshot.

Winner, Winner!

With his best performance in a motion picture – musical or comedy statue in L.A. at the 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 1996.

Forever Love

Kissing wife Kelly Preston in 1997 at the 12th Annual Moving Picture Ball American Cinematheque Award ceremony in his honor.

Dallying with Royalty

Travolta famously danced with Princess Diana at the White House during an official dinner in 1985.

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