‘Grease’ star John Travolta’s fall from $20M Hollywood paydays to box office bombs

The Nightly(Australia) ^ | 7/4/25 | Madeline Cove

[DallasBiff]

Once among the biggest names in Hollywood, John Travolta is now more punchline than powerhouse, with recent flops and career missteps overshadowing a legacy that once included Oscar nods and million-dollar paydays.

Despite iconic turns in Grease, Saturday Night Fever and a major comeback with Pulp Fiction, the 70-year-old actor’s more recent efforts have failed to land.

His latest films, High Rollers and Mob Land, barely registered with audiences — the latter pulling just £138 ($A287) at the UK box office, News.com.au reported.

[DallasBiff]

A tale of two "stars".

One Olivia Newton John(RIP) stayed classy, the other John Travolta has an aura of being a publicity hound in his later years.

[stars & stripes forever]

Every dog has its day.

[riverrunner]

It is always better to retire when your on top

[1Old Pro]

Never thought Travolta was an A list actor. Some great roles and good performances, that’s about it.

[Tell It Right]

He’s 70. How often do megastar actors maintain such a high level of movie sales up to that age?

[Hyman Roth]

Up your nose with a rubber hose. So Shakespearean.

[nickcarraway]

Wasn’t his career already dead once for over a decade?

[DallasBiff]

He’s 70. How often do megastar actors maintain such a high level of movie sales up to that age?

John Wayne did.

[Flatus I. Maximus]

I really enjoyed watching him in The Punisher. Especially his last two minutes on screen.

[packrat35]

This is the 3rd time for him to drop. Had his first big time on Welcome Back Kotter & Saturday Night Fever, then dropped out with bombs like Staying alive and others.

Had a comeback with Look Who’s Talking and a couple others then dropped down again.

Made a third comeback with Pulp Fiction.

[packrat35]

Actually, twice before. See my post on it.

[1Old Pro]

He’s 70. How often do megastar actors maintain such a high level of movie sales up to that age?

Clint Eastwood

[SkyDancer]

Just £138 or $A287? Pocket change? A movie only made that!?

[87FXRC]

Robert Duvall

[airborne]

Battlefield Earth

Voted worst movie in history!

[1Old Pro]

Jon Voight

[DCBryan1]

Time for an TO8 self-audit before Xeno shows up:

[ClearCase_guy]

His latest films, High Rollers and Mob Land, barely registered with audiences — the latter pulling just £138 ($A287) at the UK box office, News.com.au reported.

I thought this was sort of a typo. I figured it was a number of thousands or (unlikely) a number of millions. But wikipedia has a similar number -- Mob Land grossed $171 dollars. I have more than that in my wallet right now.

[Tommy Revolts]

Give me a break. He’s 70, still employed as an actor, with one helluva resume.

[Vermont Lt]

Which is a shame because it wasn’t a horrible book.

After I read it I learned more about the whole Scientology thing. Yikes.

But it was fun sci-fi.