John Travolta: Disco King and Beyond

John Travolta: Disco King and Beyond. Photo by en.wikipedia.org

John Travolta is a household name. From his disco days in Saturday Night Fever to starring alongside Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction, he's entertained us for decades. But there's more to Travolta than meets the eye. Here are 10 fun facts that might surprise you:

1.  A Pilot in the Making: Travolta is a licensed pilot and owns several planes. He even qualified to land a 747 on an aircraft carrier! 

Photo by delicious.com.au

2.  Two Decades of Dance: Before hitting it big in Hollywood, Travolta was already a dance star. He competed professionally from the age of 12 and even opened a dance school with his mother. 

Photo by en.wikipedia.org

3.  Singer, Songwriter, Star: Travolta isn't just a phenomenal dancer and actor; he's also a talented musician. He's released several albums throughout his career, with some songs even appearing in his movies. 

4.  Award Recognition (Almost): Despite his immense popularity, Travolta has never won an Academy Award. However, he has been nominated twice, for Best Actor in Saturday Night Fever and Best Supporting Actor in Pulp Fiction.

5.  Honorary Citizen of Greece: In 1993, Travolta was given honorary citizenship in Greece for his role in promoting Greek tourism through the movie My Daughter's Wedding.

6.  The King of Pranks: Known for his fun-loving personality, Travolta is famous for his on-set pranks. He once convinced Olivia Newton-John that the flames on the set of Grease were real!

7.  A Passion for Aviation History: Travolta is an aviation enthusiast and owns a restored Boeing 707 once used by Qantas.  

8.  Reading Advocate: Travolta has battled dyslexia since childhood. Overcoming this learning disability, he has become a strong advocate for promoting literacy programs.

9.  A Global Heartthrob: People magazine named Travolta one of the "Sexiest Men Alive" in 1995.  This heartthrob status has endured throughout his career.

10. Flying for Charity: Travolta has used his piloting skills for good, donating his time and expertise to fly people in need for medical care. 

So, the next time you see John Travolta on screen, remember – there's more to this charismatic star than meets the eye. He's a dancer, singer, pilot, philanthropist, and all-around entertaining personality.