Travolta Family Talks Making 'Old Dogs' A Family Affair

Access Hollywood - November 9, 2009 7:23 PM PST
Story photo: Travolta Family Talks Making 'Old Dogs' A Family AffairKelly Preston, Ella Bleu Travolta and John TravoltaWireImageAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Making "Old Dogs" was a family affair for the Travoltas.

John was joined on the movie by actress wife Kelly Preston and their daughter, Ella Bleu, who made her Hollywood debut.

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"When Ella was 5, I told her that she could do a movie when she was ready, and at 7, she came to me and said, 'I'm ready,'" John explained to Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell at the film's junket in Los Angeles on Saturday. "Literally a week after that, Disney had sent a script."

Even at age 7, John said their daughter was a pro on the set.

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"I never worried about giving her directions," John said. "When I read the script, it was so Ella."

"She was amazing," Kelly added. "She loved it. [Then] afterwards she said, 'You know, I think I'm gonna take a year off, have a little break.'"

For young Ella's part, she said that entertaining came naturally.

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"It looked fun and I like to act and be in front of the camera and stuff," she told Nancy.

With parents like hers, it makes sense - including a show-stopping dance scene that recalls her dad's famous moves.

"Have you seen 'Grease?'" Nancy asked Ella.

"Yeah, a lot of times," she said, adding that she sometimes makes her dad bust a move.

"You know, often she doesn't have to ask me," John said.

The family also joked about Ella's parental resemblance - according to John and Kelly, she looked more like her dad when she was born.

"He basically was taking credit for giving birth," Kelly laughed. "For a while there."

"As she gets older I think she can completely take her mom's looks, that's fine. As long as I get credit in the beginning," John said, giving Ella a kiss.

Joining the family on the set of "Old Dogs" was longtime friend Robin Williams, who plays Ella's dad - and gets to kiss Kelly.

"I trust Robin, let's put it that way," John said of his friend of 32 years. "If I could've chosen anyone, I would have chosen Robin."

"It's a Disney smooch," Kelly added.

"Old Dogs" is due in theaters on November 25.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Preview: 'Old Dogs'
PLAY IT NOW: Denzel Washington On How 'Pelham' Co-Star John Travolta Is Dealing With The Loss Of His Son

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: John Travolta - Kelly Preston - 'Old Dogs' - Parenthood - Nancy O'Dell

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comments 1-10 of 23  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Cameron
    I can’t wait to see Old Dogs. I’ve always been a fan of Robin Williams. I was 6yrs old when my dad took me to see Popeye. Growing up, I’ve seen almost everything, appropriate or not, Robin has done because my father is a huge fan of him. My five favorite movies he has done would be 1) Mrs. Doubtfire, 2) Dead Poets Society, 3) Patch Adams, 4) Man of the Year and 5) Bicentennial Man
    report abuseposted November 14, 2009 8:40 PM PST
  • vej
    He seems like a nice and thoughtful man. I wish he'd get away from the wacky cult he belongs to.
    report abuseposted November 10, 2009 6:19 PM PST
  • vej
    He seems like a nice and thoughtful man. I wish he'd get away from the wacky cult he belongs to.
    report abuseposted November 10, 2009 6:19 PM PST
  • DOUGLAS G
    Unfortunately, they have experienced what all of us parents of children with seizures fear the most. Their insight could be very helpful. But don't ever say it was their fault. You do not know what it's like to be a parent in this position. You can only do what you as a parent think is right and that's the best you can do.
    report abuseposted November 10, 2009 3:10 AM PST
  • DOUGLAS G
    I wish John and Kelly would contact me about this. We have just recently put our child on the seizure medication. He is a zombie. He cannot remember anything. He makes comments such as "I do not know what's happening to me." This medicine is destroying him. I feel he was better off having a seizure every 2 or 3 months. He was so smart. What do I do? I worry about
    report abuseposted November 10, 2009 3:05 AM PST
  • DOUGLAS G
    I wish John and Kelly would contact me about this. We have just recently put our child on the seizure medication. He is a zombie. He cannot remember anything. He makes comments such as "I do not know what's happening to me." This medicine is destroying him. I feel he was better off having a seizure every 2 or 3 months. He was so smart. What do I do? I worry about
    report abuseposted November 10, 2009 3:05 AM PST
  • ElizabethS
    I am very upset or beyond upset about Travoltas sons death..with all the money on the world ..even he is austism or whatever health problem that boy has he should have been alive.I watched that Scientology scandal ..wow John change your %@!*# pleaaase.
    report abuseposted November 9, 2009 10:13 PM PST
  • mimill
    I am glad that they are trying to move on after their son's tragic death.
    report abuseposted November 9, 2009 9:53 PM PST
  • Jill L
    I think she is adorable and seems very comfortable with being in the public eye. For those who criticize Kelly's acting talents, she was very good in several movies such as For the Love of the Game; Jerry Maguire; Broken Bridges and The Tenth Circle; her comedy A View From the Top was funny as well. Nice range, quite a variety of roles. There are many actresses who can only do one genre.
    report abuseposted November 9, 2009 9:04 PM PST
  • Andrea
    Please not yet another 'celebrity offspring' exploit to ram down our throats. Her parents have questionable talent, especially phony Kelly.
    report abuseposted November 9, 2009 8:45 PM PST
comments 1-10 of 23  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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