Ellen Travolta Biography: Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Children, Husband, Films, TV Series

Ellen M. Travolta is an accomplished American actress. She is widely recognized for her portrayal of Louisa Arcola Delvecchio in Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi and for her role as Lillian in Charles in Charge (1987-1990).

She also appeared in the iconic film Grease (1978) and portrayed Gloria Cerullo in General Hospital.

As the older sister of actor John Travolta, Ellen has built a distinguished career in television and theater since the mid-1970s.

In addition to her professional work, she has been actively involved in community theater and is a strong supporter of the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre.

Profile

• Full Name: Ellen M. Travolta
• Stage Name: Ellen Travolta
• Born: 6 October 1939
• Age: 85 years old
• Birthplace: Englewood, New Jersey, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American actress
• Height: 1.6m
• Parents: Helen Cecilia Burke, Salvatore Travolta
• Siblings: John Travolta, Joey Travolta, Sam Travolta, Ann Travolta, Margaret Travolta
• Spouse: Jack Bannon (m. 1983–2017), James Fridley (m. 1964–1977)
• Children: Tom Fridley, Molly Allen
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: Unknown

Early Life And Education

Ellen M. Travolta was born on October 6, 1939, in Englewood, New Jersey, USA, to Salvatore “Sam” Travolta, a semi-professional football player turned tire salesman and Firestone franchise partner, and Helen Cecilia (née Burke) Travolta.

She grew up with five younger siblings: Joey, Margaret, Sam, Ann, and the well-known actor John Travolta. Ellen attended Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, New Jersey, and later pursued her studies at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is of Italian and Irish descent and practices Christianity.

Career

Ellen Travolta began her professional career in the 1960s, taking on various minor roles in television and film. She quickly garnered attention for her ability to bring authenticity to her characters, particularly through guest appearances on popular shows like The Love Boat.

These early experiences were essential in establishing her reputation as a talented and versatile actress. Ellen’s career took a significant leap forward in the late 1970s when she joined the cast of Welcome Back, Kotter, a comedy series in which her brother, John Travolta, also starred.

Her role as Mrs. Horshack-O’Hara showcased her comedic timing and ability to engage with audiences, marking a pivotal moment in her rise to prominence. In the 1980s, Ellen’s career reached new heights with her portrayal of Louisa Arcola Delvecchio in the iconic sitcom Happy Days.

As the mother of Chachi and aunt to Fonzie, her warm and humorous performance earned her widespread acclaim and a dedicated fan base. She further cemented her television legacy by reprising this role in the spin-off Joanie Loves Chachi.

Ellen’s continued success in television included a memorable performance as Lillian, Charles’s mother, in Charles in Charge (1987-1990), where her comedic yet endearing portrayal made her a standout character. Throughout her career, Ellen appeared in various other series, including Diff’rent Strokes, Emergency!, and General Hospital, displaying her range across different genres.

Beyond her television success, Ellen also made notable contributions to film and theater. She appeared in the blockbuster Grease (1978), alongside her brother John, and lent her voice to animated series like The Jetsons.

Additionally, she showcased her singing talents in stage productions, including a Broadway run of Grease, further highlighting her versatility as a performer. Ellen’s career has spanned decades, and she remains an influential figure in the entertainment industry, known for her acting and her contributions to community theater.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @ellentravolta

Personal Life

Ellen Travolta has been married twice. In May 1964, she wed James Fridley, with whom she had two children: a son, actor Tom Fridley, and a daughter, Molly Allen Ritter.

The couple divorced in 1977. Later, on April 9, 1983, Ellen married actor Jack Bannon. They relocated to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1994, where they remained together until his passing in 2017.

Filmography:

• All in the Family (TV Series, 1976)
• Visions (TV Series, 1976-1977)
• Cover Girls (TV Movie, 1977)
• What’s Happening!! (TV Series, 1977)
• Police Story (TV Series, 1977)
• Intimate Strangers (TV Movie, 1977)
• Welcome Back, Kotter (TV Series, 1977-1978)
• Eight Is Enough (TV Series, 1977-1978)
• One Day at a Time (TV Series, 1978)
• The President’s Mistress (TV Movie, 1978)
• CHiPs (TV Series, 1978)
• Wheels (TV Mini-Series, 1978)
• The Courage and the Passion (TV Movie, 1978)
• Grease (1978)
• Are You in the House Alone? (TV Movie, 1978)
• Elvis (TV Movie, 1979)
• Chief of Detectives (TV Series, 1979)
• Human Experiments (1979)
• Marie (TV Movie, 1979)
• Makin’ It (TV Series, 1979)
• The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (TV Series, 1980)
• Three’s Company (TV Series, 1980)
• Number 96 (TV Series, 1980)
• General Hospital (TV Series, 1994-1996, 2023-2024)
• The Single Guy (TV Series, 1997)
• The Pretender (TV Series, 1997)
• Too Hard to Die (Video, 1998)
• Judging Amy (TV Series, 2002)
• Lonely Hearts (2006)
• Waitin’ to Live (2006)
• Falling Up (2009)
• Mistrust (2018)
• The Untold Story (2019)
• Haul out the Holly (2022)
• Haul out the Holly: Lit Up (2023)

Net Worth

Ellen Travolta’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, as there is no publicly available information about her financial status. However, her income has primarily been derived from her acting roles in popular TV series, including Happy Days, Joanie Loves Chachi, Charles in Charge, and recurring appearances like Gloria Cerullo on General Hospital.