John Travolta Honors His Late Father With Heartfelt Tribute On Father’s Day

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On Father’s Day, John Travolta took to social networks to share a very poignant tribute to his father, Salvatore Travolta, now deceased. Travolta shared an old, black and white picture, putting the memory of his father in costume from a very distant era: an aged photo of Sal thought to be an exceptional basketball player. The picture shows an athlete inside the gymnasium wearing a tank that said “CECILIA,” with knee guards and old classy basketball shoes, and Travolta describes this picture so poetically as “extraordinary.”

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In the caption, Travolta paid tribute to his late father for his patience and brilliance and for being very athletic. “He was an excellent athlete and, above all else, he was a wonderful father with sound, logical advice I still use today,” he wrote. Then the Grease actor wished a big Happy Father’s Day to all who love being fathers.

The post attracted much love and admiration from fans. Ella Bleu, the actress’s daughter, simply wrote, “Happy Father’s Day, I love you.” Then, a fan responded humorously to that father-era reference: “Your grandfather was a baller.” Another one tossed in another faintly Portuguese-sounding phrase, “The best words one can say to a father.”

The selfsame emotion-fueled wave of praise ensued. Another user shared a comment: “My kids almost lost me in 2023 when I fell. I became paralyzed but am lucky I made it. Though barely, at least I am here. I appreciate them more than ever now.” Plenty connected to the tone of frankness because it highlighted that universal association between parenthood and childhood.

Added another fan, “You’re also an incredible person, man, and father; you can see it reflected in your children, and especially these last few years, where you have had to guide them and hold them through the loss of their beautiful mom.” This was a declaration of respect for Travolta’s parenting since the loss of his wife, Kelly Preston, in 2020.

A number of witty comments also flowed. After a fan wished Travolta a Happy Father’s Day, one commented, “Is Nicolas Cage?”—that being the long-standing ongoing joke about the two actors among fans.

And then there was the international flavor to the reactions: “I ricordi accarezzano il cuore! Buona festa del papà,” was in Italian. Another user, seemingly overtaken by emotion, left in all caps a tribute not just to Travolta himself, but to their own military family, beginning with mentions of their father serving in World War II with Gen. Patton.

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With a simple, sincere, and very heartfelt message, John Travolta’s words served as a universal celebration of fatherhood. This simple, precise, and heartfelt homage reminded his followers that the love and guidance of a father stick around forever. Whether it be through an athletic legacy, living lessons, or just always being available for their child, the impact Salvatore Travolta had on his son will forever exist; in honoring him, John also revealed to his fans the very values that have shaped him, both as an actor and as a father.