Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
In his career, spanning five decades, John Travolta has seen both ups and downs. After a period of working in TV during his early days, Travolta bagged a major role inBrian De Palma’s renowned 1976 horror movie,Carrie. At the same time, he gained recognition for playing Vinny Barbarino in the beloved TV showWelcome Back, Kotter.However, he credits his fame to a Hollywood legend, Sean Connery.
Travolta rose to fame in the 1970s, but in the 1980s, his popularity declined. Going through a struggling time in his career, Travolta witnessed a revival of his career withQuentin Tarantino’sPulp Fictionin the mid-1990s. However, the next 25 years brought both challenges and success.
Also Read:“Stop moving around so much”: John Stamos Was Hilariously Trolled For Trying To Mimic John Travolta During His TV Debut
How Sean Connery Made John Travolta Famous
During an appearance onFriday Night with Jonathan Ross,John Travoltarecalled an incident where they shook a leg with a Hollywood legend at a party held in honor of Frank Sinatra. The actor recalled that he was about to leave the party, and suddenly,Sean Conneryinsisted he dance with him. Travolta believes that moment contributed a lot to his popularity.
Travolta told Jonathan Ross (viaYouTube):
“I danced with Sean Connery once, you know. There was a party about 10 years ago for Frank Sinatra’s, before he passed away obviously, but I was about to leave with my wife and he said, John where are you going? And I said we got to go home, I’m going to work tomorrow morning, he said ‘not before you dance with me you’re not.’ But it was then everybody wanted to dance with me. After that he made popular.”
Many would believe that the surge in John Travolta’s popularity came after he played a heroin-addicted hitman, Vincent Vega, in Quentin Tarantino’s classic filmPulp Fiction. The role not only showcased his ability to take on complex roles, but it also came at a time when his career hit rock bottom. But from Travolta’s point of view, it was Sean Connery who made him famous.
Also Read:Russell Crowe and John Travolta Turned Down Ungodly Amount of Money For Movie Roles Yet It’s Nowhere Close to Matt Damon Rejecting $250 Million For Avatar
John Travolta Wasn’t The First Choice For Vincent Vega
Travolta was great in the role, skillfully playing his part in the two episodes of the film. However, Harvey Weinstein, the head of Miramax, the studio that produced Pulp Fiction, wasn’t in favor of casting the actor. However, Quentin Tarantino was persistent in casting, refusing to accept Weinstein’s rejection.
Weinstein did not see Travolta, who was going through a tough phase in his career, as the right choice for the role of Vincent Vega. Weinstein didn’t view Travolta, who was experiencing a challenging period in his career, as the perfect choice for the role.
Mike Simpson, Tarantino’s agent at William Morris Endeavor, told Weinstein (viaVanity Fair), “You’re going to agree to it right now, or there’s no deal.“
Travolta’s exceptional performance in the movie earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, with Tarantino giving his career a significant boost.
Also Read:“There is no other person in the universe”: John Travolta Put His Foot Down About Casting Actor in Classic Film Due To an Album Cover
Vishal Kawadkar
Articles Published :975
Vishal Kawadkar is a seasoned writer specializing in writing engaging and informative content on various topics. He is a cinephile with a keen interest in sci-fi and thriller movies and TV shows. With an eye for detail, Vishal likes offering readers a fresh perspective on the latest trends and developments.
