Hey there! Can you believe it's been 40 years since Saturday Night Fever hit the big screen? Yeah, I know, time flies when you're having fun. In honor of this epic movie reaching such a major milestone, let's take a trip down memory lane to revisit John Travolta and the rest of the cast, both then and now. We'll also catch up on what they've been doing since the film's release in 1977. So buckle up, because it's going to be a wild ride!
The Man Who Lit Up the Screen: John Travolta
While Saturday Night Fever skyrocketed John Travolta to global superstardom, the truth is, he was already a household name before the movie even hit theaters. How? Well, thanks to his breakout role in the sitcom Welcome Back Kotter, John was already a heartthrob beloved by millions. But it was his portrayal of Tony Manero, the disco-dancing dreamboat, that cemented his place in Hollywood history. After Saturday Night Fever, John went on to star in countless other films, including the iconic Grease. Talk about a career-defining role!
Read also:Actress Masterson Unveiling The Rising Star Of Hollywood
A Brooklyn Blockbuster: Filming on the Streets
Here's a fun fact: Saturday Night Fever was filmed right on the streets of Brooklyn. Whenever fans caught wind that filming was happening nearby, they'd flock to the set in droves. It was absolute chaos! As John's late girlfriend Donna Pescow once said, "The fans—oh, my God, they were all over him. It was scary to watch." Director John Badham even recalled having to shut down filming on the very first day because the crowd got so out of control. To avoid the madness, the crew had to switch to filming late at night and in the early hours of the morning. Talk about dedication!
Back for More: The Sequel Starring Tony Manero
In 1983, John returned to the role of Tony Manero in a sequel called Staying Alive. But here's the thing: John wasn't entirely convinced he wanted to reprise the part. In fact, it was his co-star Diana Hyland who persuaded him to take on the challenge. According to John, after reading the script, he had doubts about whether he could bring enough depth to the character. That's when Diana stepped in, passionately explaining how Tony's journey evolves throughout the film. "Baby, you're going to be great in this—great!" she exclaimed. "This Tony, he's got all the colors! First, he's angry about something. He hates the trap that Brooklyn and his dumb job are. There's a whole glamorous world out there waiting for him, which he feels only when he dances. And he grows, he gets out of Brooklyn."
John recalled responding, "'He's also king of the disco. I'm not that good a dancer.' 'Baby,' she said, 'you're going to learn!'" And boy, did he ever learn. Watching John dance in Saturday Night Fever is nothing short of magical. Honestly, I can't even imagine anyone else pulling it off with the same level of charisma and flair.
Click through the gallery below to see the cast of Saturday Night Fever Then and Now!
