Played herself in Urban Cowboy, but is also fictionalized since the story is based on the Gilley's Bar regulars, who ride the mechanical bull that Debra Winger, Scott Glenn and John Travolta famously ride in the movie.

How old was John Travolta when he made Urban Cowboy?

In the summer of 1979, the Houston news and gossip circles were dominated by the presence of one John Travolta, who lived in the city while filming Urban Cowboy in nearby Pasadena. It was only the fourth leading role for the 25-year-old actor, but he was already arguably the world's biggest movie star.

Who taught John Travolta to dance in Urban Cowboy?

Patsy Swayze, Patrick Swayze's mother, taught John Travolta how to do the two-step for the movie. John Travolta had a mechanical bull installed in his house two months before production began.

Was Urban Cowboy based on a true story?

The original Esquire article centered on the romance between two Gilley's regulars named Dew Westbrook and Betty Helmer. Westbrook and Helmer's real-life relationship became the inspiration for the on-screen romance between John Travolta's and Debra Winger's characters "Bud" and "Sissy".

Who did Ann Travolta play in Urban Cowboy?

Ann Travolta: Wedding Party.

GILLEYS POP UP | MEET THE STARS | GILLEYRATS | JESSIE MAPES | 01.29.2022

What bar was Urban Cowboy filmed in?

Yes, the movie was filmed in the Houston area, much of it at Gilley's, a honky-tonk that had room for 6,000 people — and one very popular mechanical bull. The entrance to the original Gilley's nightclub in Pasadena. It was named after co-owner and country music star Mickey Gilley.

Is Gilley's in Houston still open?

Welcome to Gilley's

Though the club is no longer in operation there are three other Gilley's, in Las Vegas Nevada, Dallas Texas and Durant Oklahoma. The club was a phenomenon back in the day and spawned a movie called the Urban Cowboy featuring John Travolta and Debra Winger.

Who auditioned for Sissy in Urban Cowboy?

Travolta turned down another movie, American Gigolo, to work on Urban Cowboy. (The Gigolo role went to Richard Gere.) Michelle Pfeiffer auditioned for the part of Sissy before it went to Debra Winger, becoming her first starring role.

When did Gilley's bar burned down?

The dispute permanently closed Gilley's, ending an 18-year run that saw country music become mainstream in large part due to the club's widespread fame. On July 5, 1990, a fire quickly spread throughout the main building, destroying the club.

Who was the rich girl in Urban Cowboy?

Attractive actress who has played Sadat's wife and Gloria Swanson in the TV miniseries' "Sadat" (1983) and "The Kennedys of Massachusetts" (1990) respectively. Smith's feature career began auspiciously with the role of John Travolta's rich girlfriend in "Urban Cowboy" (1980).

Where was the trailer park in Urban Cowboy?

Scenes from Bud and Sissy's trailer home in “Urban Cowboy,” released in 1979, were shot at a Pico Rivera trailer park. A scene from the 1988 movie “Tequila Sunrise,” starring Mel Gibson, was shot in a riverbed in Pico Rivera. And a scene from “Collateral” in 2004 was shot in Pico Rivera.

Is John Travolta considered a good dancer?

John Travolta's dancing skills in "Saturday Night Fever" are widely considered to be impressive and influential in popular culture. His performance in the film helped to popularize disco dancing in the late 1970s, and he was praised for his ability to convey emotion and storytelling through his dance moves.

Did Sylvester Stallone teach John Travolta to dance?

Under Sylvester Stallone's supervision, John Travolta spent five months doing rigorous training to develop a dancer's physique for this film, losing 20 pounds in the process. This was the last non-"Rocky" film Sylvester Stallone directed until Rambo (2008).

When did John Travolta wear a wig?

There's always been something a little ... off about John Travolta's do – and now we know why! It turns out the Grease superstar has been wearing a wig since the early 2000s, and over those years Travolta has turned out some truly interesting toupees.

What year truck did John Travolta drive in Urban Cowboy?

URBAN COWBOY | Bud's Ford F-250

The white Texas BUD License Plate is produced as seen in the back window of the black 1978 Ford F-250 driven by Bud Davis (played by John Travolta) in the 1980 romantic Western film directed by James Bridges, Urban Cowboy.

Who preached Mickey Gilley funeral?

The memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Gilley's cousin and fellow music artist, Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, will be delivering the message at the service.

How many people did Gilleys hold?

It had a shooting gallery, showers for truckers, a rodeo arena with mechanical bulls, pool tables, punching bags, and a dance floor big enough for thousands. It had a 6,000-person capacity and was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest honky-tonk.

Why did Gilley's bar close?

When the "Urban Cowboy" trend faded, so did Gilley's stardom. The nightclub closed in 1989 amid a dispute between Gilley and his partner. A year later, it was destroyed in an arson fire. Gilley rebounded by becoming a regular performer in the country music hotbed of Branson, Missouri, where he built a theater.

Are you a real cowboy line from Urban Cowboy?

Quotes. Sissy : You a real cowboy? Bud : Well that depends on what you think a real cowboy is? Sissy : Know how to do 2-step?

Who was John Travolta's uncle in Urban Cowboy?

She liked his writing but loved his acting, and she got him an audition, which led to his first big-screen role: Uncle Bob in Urban Cowboy. Corbin, the 39-year-old film rookie, looked completely at ease with star John Travolta, smiling, smoking a pipe, dispensing country wisdom.

What happened to Wes in Urban Cowboy?

Later, Wes stole the prize money, however that ended up when he fought with Bud and all the money fell out of Wes's jacket and he was taken to jail to pay for his crimes.

Did they ever rebuild Gilleys?

But the mechanical bull tells visitors they're in the new version of Gilley's, the rowdy honky-tonk made famous by John Travolta's 1980 movie "Urban Cowboy" -- the saloon that made country cool. "People have never forgotten about Gilley's," said Doug Keller, the new club's general manager.

Where is the mechanical bull from Urban Cowboy?

A major piece of movie memorabilia from the 1980 John Travolta film "Urban Cowboy" has found a home at a new club in Woodbury, the Woodbury Patch reports.

When did George Strait play at Gilley's?

George Strait Concert Setlist at Gilley's, Pasadena on September 23, 1985 | setlist.fm.