Big Break
However, it was probably his role in ABC’s Welcome Back, Kotter that gained Travolta worldwide recognition. From 1975 to 1979, he played Vinnie Barbarino and made girls across America blush. Even though Travolta claimed he could not pull off cool, he tried to make audiences laugh. Despite his self-doubt, Travolta still ended up on bedroom posters across the nation.
Big Break
Inspired By Mother
Besides his siblings who loved acting, John said his true inspiration was his mother. How sweet! His mother, Helen, acted and danced. It was Helen who Travolta credits with inspiring him to attend drama school in New York. He was able to study acting, dancing and even singing there. His sister Ellen also embarked on an entertainment career of her own! Both Ellen and Helen even made appearances in Travolta’s movies, Grease and Saturday Night Fever.
Inspired By Mother
