John Travolta was 21 years old in 1975, and he had no idea how much his life was about to change. He'd just been cast in an ABC sitcom, playing a Brooklyn high school student who was, almost literally, too cool for school.

How old was John Travolta in the 70s?

Travolta was already famous by the time Grease was released, as his breakthrough hit Saturday Night Fever came out in 1977. John Travolta was 23 years old when he filmed the part of 18-year-old Danny Zuko.

What was John Travolta's first big movie?

Although he had bit parts in The Devil's Rain (1975) and Carrie (1976), Travolta did not become a film star until the release of Saturday Night Fever (1977), the story of a Brooklyn youth who escapes his working-class frustrations by becoming king of the local dance floor on Saturday nights.

Which came first, Welcome Back, Kotter or Grease?

The final season of Welcome Back, Kotter debuted on ABC on September 11, 1978, approximately three months after the release of John Travolta's second starring film vehicle, the hit musical romantic comedy Grease.

Who replaced Vinnie Barbarino?

Introduced as a replacement for Vinnie Barbarino during the show's final season, Beauregard "Beau" De LaBerre introduced a bit of Southern charm to the cast of Welcome Back, Kotter.

Welcome Back, Kotter (4/4) Travolta Struts His Stuff (1975)

What was Vinnie Barbarino's catchphrase?

Up your nose with a rubber hose.

The real life Horshack used to say, “Up your hole with a Mello roll.” The phrase was considered too naughty for TV use, so TV executives changed it to “Up your nose with a rubber hose” which became one of Vinnie Barbarino's famous catchphrases.

Was Farrah Fawcett in Welcome Back, Kotter?

Farrah Fawcett was originally considered for the role of Julie Kotter, but ultimately producers felt audiences wouldn't believe she was Kaplan's wife.

How old was John Travolta when Grease was filmed?

John Travolta, who starred as Danny Zuko in Grease, famously stood out as younger than much of the rest of Grease's principal cast during filming in summer 1977 at age 23.

What religion is John Travolta?

Scientology. Travolta joined the Church of Scientology in 1975. He converted after being given the book Dianetics from former actress Joan Prather.

Did John Travolta sing in Grease?

Originally Answered: Does John Travolta sing in the movie Grease? Yes, he did sing all of his own parts. He also sang again with Olivia Newton-John in a reunion in 2002.

What is John Travolta's most famous role?

Stardom came to Travolta when he won the role of Vinny Barbarino on the hit sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter.” He would gain a small part in the horror film “Carrie” during the show's first season, but it would be his role in “Saturday Night Fever” that would launch his film career and earn him his first Best Actor Oscar ...

Where did John Travolta learn to dance?

His mother, herself an actress and dancer, enrolled him in a drama school in New York, where he studied voice, dancing and acting.

What is John Travolta's highest grossing movie?

Who was the youngest cast member in Grease?

Kelly Ward (Putzie)

Kelly Ward brought the youngest member of the T-Birds, Putzie, to life in a role specifically created for the film. Grease wasn't his first time working with costar John Travolta, as the two worked together on 1976's made-for-television movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.

How old was Cha Cha in Grease?

Leo's girlfriend, Charlene "Cha-Cha" DiGregorio, is also 17 or 18 in the movie. Cha-Cha is a student at a different school in town, St. Bernadette's.

How old was Rizzo in Grease in real life?

After being raised by wolves, Lucan strikes out on his own in search of his identity. In 1977, at the age of 33, Channing was cast for the role of high school teenager Betty Rizzo in the hit musical Grease.

Is John Travolta actually Italian?

Travolta's father was a second-generation Italian American and his mother was Irish American; he grew up in an Irish-American neighborhood and has said that his household was predominantly Irish in culture. His family was Roman Catholic. Travolta married actress Kelly Preston in 1991.

What religion is Tom Hanks?

Although Hanks' family religious history was Catholic and Mormon, as an adult he converted to Greek Orthodox Christianity after his marriage to Rita Wilson.

What god do Scientologists believe in?

The Church of Scientology states that it has no set dogma on God and allows individuals to come to their own understanding of God.

Did John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John ever date?

In her autobiography, Newton-John recalls having a mutual "attraction" with Travolta but explains that they were both committed to other people. "The truth is, it never went beyond friendship with John despite the fact that the fans wanted for us to become a couple in real life.

Why is Grease called Grease?

They would call it Grease, an homage to the era's greasy hair, greasy engines, and greasy food. The gritty, profanity-laced, raunchy story of teenage attitude—for which Jacobs and Casey collaborated on the book, the lyrics, and the music—opened on February 5, 1971, in a former trolley barn in Chicago.

How much older was Olivia Newton-John than John Travolta in Grease?

Most of the lead stars were in their 20s and 30s while filming Grease with Travolta aged 23 and Newton-John aged 29, despite playing teenagers.

Why was it called Welcome Back, Kotter?

The premise of the show, as explained in the theme song and the premiere episode, was that Gabe Kotter was a teacher who came back to his old high school to teach. As a student, he had been one of a group of “difficult” students who were segregated in a special class.

Was Ellen Travolta in Welcome Back, Kotter?

Travolta played Mrs. Horshack-O'Hara in three episodes of Welcome Back, Kotter, a comedy series on which her brother, actor John Travolta, starred as Vinnie Barbarino. She also appeared alongside her brother in the 1978 summer blockbuster Grease.

What was Freddie Washington's nickname on Welcome Back, Kotter?

Freddie Percy "Boom Boom" Washington

Washington claimed his nickname came from his habit of "pretending to play the bass" and singing "Boom-boom-boom-boom!". His trademark phrase is, "Hi, there" (spoken with a deep voice and a broad smile) and he calls Mr. Kotter "Mister Kot-TEER".