John Travolta

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IFQ sits down with John Travolta while he promotes his recent film Ladder 49. It’s no surprise that IFQ realizes that Travolta comes a long way since his early roots as Vinnie Barbarino in Welcome Back, Kotter. This New Jersey native is a family man, pilot, actor, and a real celebrity all rolled into one. He proves that nice guys finish first.

IFQ: Are you proud to be a part of a film that celebrates people who put their lives in jeopardy for others?
John Travolta: Yes, I’m so proud to be a part of this movie. I’m just an actor, but it’s always great when you do your job as an actor and also put some light on the lives of people like firefighters who truly are heroes and make huge sacrifices.

IFQ: Do you think you know what it takes to run into a building on fire?
JT: Yes, I do! Mostly it’s pretty simple because I don’t think firemen have a choice in that matter. It’s more like a duty. They cannot live with themselves if they don’t go into a building on fire where there are lives to be saved. They feel the same urge to save a child as a parent who tries to save his/her own child. They see that all lives are equal and deserve to be saved.

IFQ: Do you think that you’re fearless?
JT: Well, it depends. I fly jets and for 20 years, I’ve been three times a year to classes where they throw emergencies and dangers at you that the fear has left. I’m so used to it and it’s become a necessity level. The same can be said for my character. At the beginning, he has fear, but he has evolved into necessity level. He knows what he has to do and doesn’t think in terms of fear. In a way I’m the same, you learn to go beyond your fear and be responsible and ready no matter what.

IFQ: You own a Boeing 707 and also fly Learjets and Gulfstream jets. Why do you love to fly?
JT: Well, it’s a mixed feeling of danger and adventure! I like flying people around. It’s not just a personal pleasure. I like to share the thrill with company.

IFQ: Have you ever rescued anyone?
JT: No, but before, I had emergencies that happened to me and this was why I could identify with the emergencies that the firemen faced. It felt familiar to me. When an emergency happens, it’s survival at stake and if you are trained, fear will not take over you.

IFQ: I understand that you’re writing a biography.
JT: That is true and it should be ready in a year and a half. I just turned 50 and I think that I have a lot to say. I have a lot of experience to share and if I wait any longer I will have to write two books!

IFQ: You don’t look 50! What is your secret?
JT: Well, thank you! I don’t know what to do with that compliment. It’s funny because I never pay too much attention to my body. I’m more of a spiritual guy. Maybe this does help. It’s funny because at 40 I pretended to be old and I asked people why they wanted an autograph from an old geezer like me. But you know, I acted humble and I was just 40. Now at 50, I can’t really do that because I would be telling the truth– I’m an old geezer!

IFQ: From your past and current role choices, you appear to enjoy portraying the mentor in films.
JT: Yes, this is true. It feels natural to play the mentor figure in a movie. After all, I am a father and I take a lot of responsibilities in my life. In my next movie A Love Song for Bobby Long, I play a professor in the film. The joys in creating different characters and not always playing the same ones are so great.

IFQ: You can equally play a villain and a good guy. The public still loves you; how come?
JT: This is a good question because I am very true to the form and craft of acting. I’m true to the character I play, whether he is a good or a bad guy. I’m true to that scenario and I don’t worry about John Travolta and another character I may have played. I think this gives you longevity. You have to be honest and true to the character you play. That’s the trick.

IFQ: Do you remember the first time Quentin Tarantino called you to play the memorable role of Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction?
JT: Yes, I do. Actually, what was funny was that the first time he called, it was for From Dusk Till Dawn with George Clooney and I turned him down because I told him vampires didn’t interest me! I thought he was disappointed, but he immediately proposed me to play in Pulp Fiction and I accepted!

IFQ: You appear to be such a calm and cool person, but what makes you lose your calm? What irritates you?
JT: Probably what makes me lose my cool and my calm is injustice. I don’t like to see a person cornered and have no room to make a move. It’s very sad to me and I don’t like that. It’s what destroys a human being. I definitely respond to oppression the most. Nobody deserves oppression and abuse. Let me give you an example: I remember an abusive first assistant director on a set of a movie I shot a while ago. I think he was on drugs or something and he was so abusive to the crew and actors. He was a bully and was even physically pushing people. I had him fired. I can’t tolerate that kind of attitude. So you know, I can take the bull by the horns if it’s necessary.

IFQ: What do you consider the most courageous thing you have done in your life?
JT: I don’t know. Maybe it’s when I have to comfort people who are dying and who are not doing well. You have to make them feel better even if you know this is the end for them, especially with close friends or relatives. You have to realize that you’re alive and well and you have to be strong and you have to give them some hope, even if there is no more hope. It’s not easy to watch people die. So for me, this may be my most courageous act, to comfort these types of people and stay with them.

IFQ: Is there another Grease in store for the future?
JT: No! There should not have been another Grease like Grease 2. So definitely, no! There won’t be another Grease.

IFQ: How was life as a celebrity in the 70’s compared to now?
JT: Well, there were less of us. Today it seems like everybody is famous. I can’t keep up with who is famous or not. It’s funny to see that even people from all these reality shows are famous–this is interesting. I know I’m glad I started way back because I think it’s really tough today to become a real celebrity and keep up with your status.

IFQ: Do you feel you’re some sort of inspiration to people?
JT: Well I have heard that, even from my co-star Joaquin Phoenix who asked me for an autograph when he was nine years old! Actually, he asked his mother who was working for NBC and she got one as I shot Urban Cowboy, and he put it on his wall. This was the only autograph he ever asked for! It was great working with him on Ladder 49.

IFQ: What makes you happy at age 50?
JT: Well, for my wife and me, it’s our children. We work extra hard to make them happy and keep them balanced. This is our greatest fortune. Also my wife is what makes me happy. You know she is so protective of me, especially if people try to take advantage of me because I have a tendency to be too generous and giving.

IFQ: Is there one thing you haven’t done as an actor or in your life that you want to do?
JT: Actually, no. I don’t have a dream part in my head and I’m so happy with my life that I cannot think about something that I’m missing or dreaming to do. Look at my life–it’s amazing who I have played, from a lawyer to a president to a gangster to an angel! I have a beautiful family. So no, I’m not dreaming about life, I’m living it! At this age, I feel the most important things to do are to keep going and trying to help people as much as I can.

by Roxanna Bina