Meet John Travolta's 5 famous siblings - including sister who starred in Happy Days


John Travolta's star family is an all-singing all-dancing collection of Hollywood castings – but where have you seen them before?


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Daisy Finch
Daisy FinchAudience Writer
2 minutes ago
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When he's not rockin' and rollin' and whatnot, family man John Travolta enjoys life as a father and one of six siblings. But while he might be the most famous face in the Travolta clan, there's certainly no shortage of talent surrounding the actor, going right back to his family home.

Read on to find out where the star siblings crossed paths on-screen, what projects each of the Travolta tots went on to star in and where the famous swing-dancing Hollywood name is now.

John Travolta wearing a checked shirt sits in front of an orange background.© Michael Ochs Archives

John Travolta quickly transitioned from TV guest appearances to starring roles

Early life

Born on 18 February 1954 in New Jersey, John Joseph Travolta got his start on screen in classic '70s TV shows like Emergency! and The Rookies.

But the actor quickly rose to prominence as he was cast in major projects like Carrie and Saturday Night Fever, becoming the Hollywood stalwart we know today.

Star career© Getty Images

John Travolta has appeared in musical hits, action hero features and danced his way to fame

Star career

The actor has had major roles in iconic features like Carrie as Billy Nolan, Saturday Night Fever as Tony Manero and, of course, Grease as Danny Zuko.

But he's also something of an action hero regular, appearing in Tarantino classic Pulp Fiction, Face/Off and comedy Wild Hogs. Whatever your taste, John Travolta has a Hollywood hit to cater to it.

John Travolta and his sister Ellen Travolta during the party in Honour of John Travolta's receipt of the Inaugural Variety Cinema Icon Award during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival.© Getty Images

Ellen is the oldest of the Travolta siblings and made a name for herself on popular sitcoms like 'Happy Days'

Ellen Travolta

Ellen set a good example as the oldest of the Travolta siblings, pursuing her own career in acting with star roles in Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi.

The pair have worked together several times, sharing the screen in sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter and a minor role from Ellen on John's beloved hit Grease, in which she appears as a waitress.

John Travolta stands next to sister Ellen and borther Sam at the Westwood Playhouse.© Getty Images

Sam Travolta is the younger brother of Ellen and John's oldest brother

Sam Travolta

Ellen's younger brother Sam Travolta worked on films alongside John, including Wild Hogs, Swordfish and Old Dogs.

Sadly, the Grease star's oldest brother lost his 52-year-old son Sam Travolta Jr in 2020. The talented screenwriter reportedly received a $1,800 allowance from John to help him when times were tough.

John Travolta on the set of grease in a white tshirt and black leather jacket.© Corbis via Getty Images

John might have taken the world by storm as Danny Zuko, but sister Margaret has worked with some of the most famous names in Hollywood

Margaret Travolta

Margaret Travolta is unlikely to be starstruck by her brother's Hollywood fame as the actress has worked with the likes of Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio and John Cusack.

She's worked on hit films like Catch Me If You Can, High Fidelity and While You Were Sleeping, as well as TV favourites including NYPD Blue as Dr. Helen Boyd and Days of Our Lives as Sister Mary Margaret. She joined brother John in family comedy Old Dogs. 

Ann Travolta and Ellen Travoltaat the opening night party for 'Bus Stop'.© Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Ann and sister Ellen are two of the Travolta family's six talented and close-knit siblings

Ann Travolta

Ann, the youngest Travolta sister, joined brother John on fan-favourite Saturday Night Fever and Swordfish, though it seems it's theatre that's stolen her heart.

She worked on a 2015 production of The Wizard of Oz and was joined by brother John in a stage production of Grease on Broadway, where Ann worked as an understudy and John played the role of Doody.

Joseph Travolta stands cross armed against a wall in a blue shirt and white jeans.© Getty Images

Joey Travolta founded production company Inclusion Films which hires cast and crew with developmental disabilities

Joseph Travolta

Joseph 'Joey' Travolta has been through several different creative careers. He started singing in 1978 after graduating from college but, like all the Travolta siblings, clearly heard acting calling his name. Joey has worked on movies like Beverly Hills Cop III, Oscar and Susan's Plan, and TV shows like Movie Stars

Finding a passion for being behind the camera, Joey combined his new found love with his college qualification in special needs education, founding the production company Inclusion Films in 2007, which works on projects with casts and crew members who have developmental disabilities.

John Travolta in a suit and bowtie with round glasses and a black beret.© WireImage via Getty Images

John marked his move into directing with a fashionable ode to classic director styling

What's he up to now?

John's made a return to action hero with a role in heist feature Cash Out (2024) and 2025 sequel High Rollers. He's due to appear in survival thriller Black Tides alongside daughter Ella Bleu Travolta, confirming John as the ultimate Hollywood family man.

The actor has even moved behind the camera with his directorial project Propeller One-Way Night Coach for Apple TV, debuting a new look on the red carpet and proving true talent never goes out of style.

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