Question
Publicity photo of American actor John Travolta, 1976

What TV show launched John Travolta's career?

Last updated: February 19, 2026

Before the white suit and disco moves, and before he was singing about Greased Lightning, John Travolta was just playing a swaggering high schooler on TV. The show wasn't built around him, but audiences couldn't stop watching and he became the breakout star. What TV show launched John Travolta's career?

Correct Answer: Welcome Back, Kotter

(Source)

Travolta's mom was an actress and warned him not to take the role of Vinnie Barbarino because she didn't want him to be typecast as an idiot (maybe those weren't her exact words). He ignored her, and every time he delivered "Up your nose with a rubber hose!" as the dim-witted Sweathog on "Welcome Back, Kotter," he stole the show right out from under its creator and star, Gabe Kaplan. By 1976, he was one of the biggest stars on TV and landed "Saturday Night Fever" while still under contract. Maybe mother doesn't always know best.

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