John Travolta's Son Dies At 16

@anniepa (27955)
United States
January 2, 2009 4:40pm CST
I just heard the end of this on the news and had to look it up; John Travolta and Kelly Preston's sixteen year old son, Jett died today while the family was on vacation in the Bahamas. He apparently suffered a seizure at the family's vacation home and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Jett reportedly had had a history of seizures. They also have a daughter, Ella Blue, who was born in 2000. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090102/us_nm/us_travolta_2 This is so tragic and sad! We sometimes think movie stars and other celebrities have the perfect life and nothing bad can ever happen to them unless they do something wrong but now and then something like this happens to prove nobody is immune to heartbreak and loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the Travolta family at this awful time. Annie
6 people like this
31 responses
• United States
2 Jan 09
When I heard the news, I must admit there were some tears. The Travoltas seem to be such lovely people, and they help everyone they can. They were so proud of their children and so hopeful about their futures. My prayers and sympathies are with them. Just because they're celebritities, tere's no reason behnd the act that we tend to think their lives are a dream!
4 people like this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
3 Jan 09
Yeah, it's truly sad and on the holidays too. I pray that the family could heal and that news makers won't bug them so much for they need each other right now.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Jan 09
Same here. They've always seemed to be one of the truly nice Hollywood couples, very down-to-earth and clearly devoted parents determined to give their kids as normal a life as possible. It IS especially sad it happened around the holidays like this because now this time of year will forever be marred for them. Annie
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jan 09
Thank is such sad news. Jett apparently hit his head on the bathtub, perhaps he had a seizure and it caused him to fall and injure himself. You are so correct that fame and fortune does not protect a person from feeling the pain of losing a loved one. My thoughts and prayers are also with the Travolta family at this sad time.
3 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I'm not quite clear as to whether the seizure caused his fall which was what killed him or if the fall caused the seizure. I know they're doing an autopsy I think on Monday. Annie
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jan 09
omg i just heard the news like two minutes ago and I did a double take. One thing I realized is that I knew nothing about their family except that he had a son but I don't remember much ever being said about him so I just assumed he was taking care of himself and not a problem child. Do you think he could of left his medication behind and something triggered the seizure? I just hope that John Travolta can grieve this loss and come out of it in good spirits and doesn't go to the bottle or anything. I think he has a great network of friends though.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I'm hoping he's strong enough to not turn to any kind of chemical dependency or anything like that but I really think he is and that he and Kelly have a strong enough love, plus they have their daughter to think about. I've heard Kelly talk quite a bit about how so many kids are medicated for ADHD and how bad that can be. She's long been an advocate for all our children so it's especially tragic that she'd lose one of hers like this! Annie
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jan 09
I agree, I didn't know much about his family either. He's one of those who stays out of the limelight and you don't hear too much about his personal life. I admire that in this day in age. That's so tragic about his son.
2 people like this
@baileycows (3665)
• United States
2 Jan 09
Wow! That is so sad. My daughter just had a seizure on the 31st. Just before that she had one in June. Hers come from hypoglocemia, but still the doctor said they get worse as she gets older and we have to be prepared that she may not wake up one day. Even though we have been through them I still can not imagine her not waking up. I can't imagine what they must feel right now. They will certainly be in our prayers as I know how the seizures feel and you feel so helpless.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Jan 09
You and your daughter will certainly be in MY prayers, baileycows. I can't imagine what you must go through, Hon. I have a close friend who has seizures resulting from a car accident she had over 20 years ago when she was only 16. Her have also gotten increasingly worse and more frequent in recent years and I don't know if she's ever been told she may not wake up one day but I suppose she has. I've always had a deep fear and worry for her and her husband because they're such wonderful people who would do anything for anyone and it's just not fair. Bless You! Annie
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
2 Jan 09
This is terrible for any family and one that's in the public eye all the time it must be even worse. It sounded to me that he had a health problem that was on going. I heard the name but wasn't familiar with it. My heart and prayers go out to them.
@patgalca (18164)
• Orangeville, Ontario
3 Jan 09
I posted a link in my response where John told Larry King that his son had Kawasaki syndrome which, apparently is an immune system deficiency affected by certain chemicals. The Travoltas have, until recently, have kept their children out of the public limelight. They are very private and very protective and loving towards their children.
2 people like this
• India
3 Jan 09
i pity on this situation.you are absolutely correct only money cant save any one .it in the god hand to judge a person where he is fit live on earth. i also pray to god for his soul to rest in peace. happy myloting and have a nice weekend........happy new year
3 people like this
@nishdan01 (3051)
• Singapore
4 Jan 09
I heard the headlines in news. Never enquired what happened and when I read your discussion I feel very sorry. Anyway, God can help them overcome the loss. A very sad news and it could happen to anyone. But nothing happens without the knowledge of God. My prayers are for the family.
2 people like this
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
2 Jan 09
What a tragic and truly horrible way to start the new year. I can't imagine the heartbreak and devastation that family and all their friends must be feeling right now. The Travolta-Preston's seem like really nice down to earth people. My heart goes out to them.
2 people like this
• United States
4 Jan 09
Yeah I first heard about this online and then I saw it again in the spanish news that my mother watches. I was really sad and heartbroken when I heard this. I'm a fan of Travolta and to think that something like this had to happen is just awful. I hope that they are able to cope with this. This is just really sad, and yeah people think that celebrities have the perfect life and that nothing is going to happen to them but that is just far from the truth. Celebrities go through the same things that we do the only difference is that they have a lot of money and they are recognized worldwide. And like you said no one is immune to these things.
2 people like this
• Philippines
4 Jan 09
what a tragic loss..I feel for the family..when holiday season should be the season for family to get together and be happy...i wish they can cope up with this and prayers for their family
2 people like this
• United States
4 Jan 09
I saw that on the news. It is sad. John Travolta is definitely not one of my favorite actors, but I really do feel for him. It must be the cruelest thing to lose a child. I wondered, since he and his wife belong to the Scientology church, if the child was on any type of medication for his seizures? I hope he was. Religion. Such a mind-boggler for most people!
2 people like this
@mikeysmom (2088)
• United States
3 Jan 09
i heard about this yesterday and it really bothered me. how tragic and sad. losing a child is the worst thing that could ever happen to a parent. my heart goes out to them. do not know how they can bear it.
2 people like this
• Ireland
3 Jan 09
I've heard the news as well. I agree that we often think that movie stars are immune to loss and grief obviously they're not. I guess they're are still humans even though we sometimes put them in the pedestal. Condolences to the family of John Travolta
2 people like this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I read this story too and as with any parent loosing a child, my heart went out to them. There is a lot to be said that celebrities are though as above and beyond the tradic things that happen to people. I think this is our own doing, not them trying to be a person that we are not.
2 people like this
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
3 Jan 09
I hear you I totally agree. It is tragic and very sad. I was listening to a program today where they were interviewing Oprah about her weight and she said that all the money, glamor, lifestyle, fame that they have is nothing if you don't have a good self image. So it made me think then that yes money can't buy everything. This is another perfect example. What makes it even sadder is when all the celebrities talk about John Travolta they say he is the nicest most genuine person you'd ever want to meet. In fact Oprah always says John is her favorite. He and Kelly had just invited about 50 people down for the weekend so people were flying in this afternoon and tonight. They said it's sad because they aren't flying in for the same reasons now. One of the reports stopped John's Mom and said she was just devastated. I guess Harvey Levin from TMZ got the story first but said of course they wanted to check and double check to make sure it was true. He said he was really hoping it wasn't. On Larry King the minister of tourism in the Bahamas was with Kelly and John all day and said they are devastated. I'm sure it's even harder when you don't see it coming. The shock is just too much. The reports were saying that John was always so nice and kind to all the paparazzi and he treated them like people and was never rude. They said that when Jett and John were together you could tell how much they loved each other cause he never hesitated showing him affection. Kelly and John always said as long as our kids are happy we are happy.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I've always heard that too, what a great guy he is. You can just tell when he's been on talk shows, etc. You know how some celebrities seem to always be playing a role but some you can tell are really genuine, John is the latter for sure. My heart aches for them as much as if they were personal friends. Annie
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
3 Jan 09
I am certainly a Travolta fan. He is just so cute to me. Embarrassingly, I admit, my favorite movies with him are the "Looking Whose Talking," movies. He is just so cute and adorable in those. I am so very sorry to know that his sixteen year old son has passed away. My sister's triplets are sixteen and it is such a tender age. I wonder why he did not go on vacation with his family. I also do not know whether or not he was alone at the time. I would be the type of mother who would want someone constantly around my child, if he had seizures. I know, of course, that the child would hate that though. God bless the family in their time of grieving such a horrible loss.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I loved those movies, too! John Travolta is one of the best actors ever, I think, because he can do any kind of movie. Jett was on vacation with the family in the Bahamas. It happened at their vacation home there. Annie
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
3 Jan 09
Annie..I know what you mean..when i heard this i felt so awful for them all since they are such good people, but it shows good or bad we all die and lose someone and we can be here one day and gone the next..so thats one reason i try as hard as i am able to be kind, loving and there for anyone who needs me..plus my children and grandchildren know I say I love you and give huggs always.. huggs to you..Happy New year..
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Jan 09
Hugs to you, too, Rosekitty! I also say "I love you" and give hugs to those I love every time I see them! There's always time for love and hugs. Annie
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
3 Jan 09
Many movie stars have not such happy lives. Never would I ever wish to be famous. That being said, I am so heartbroken for them. I, too, lost my only son, four years ago. The pain never stops, it just becomes a chronic pain that you get used to. He is such a wonderful person in real life and all I can say is that thank God he has a faith system that will help him, a good outlook on life, and a strong marriage. I have them in my prayers, too. It will be just as hard on the sister, so let us not forget her. My daughter misses her only sibling, every day.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Jan 09
I'm so sorry about your loss. I also lost a child, my second daughter in 1974 when she was only six months old. You're right, the pain never stops but just get slightly more bearable as time goes on. You're also so right about Jett's sister. My daughter also to this day misses her baby sister. She was only 4 when it happened but she remembers it as well as I do. Annie
1 person likes this
@crazydaisy (3896)
• Canada
2 Jan 09
I feel so sad for them as well I take seizure's as well they are epilepit but I gone 2yrrs with out any for about 2yrs. I started about 15yrs old I am now 60yrs old and had a daughter which is 31yrs old and to beautiful children one son one daughter. cd
2 people like this
• Philippines
3 Jan 09
Condolence to John travolta
1 person likes this