John Travolta is sending a loving message to his late son Jett Travolta.
The Grease alum shared a post on Instagram for his and his late wife Kelly Preston‘s son on what would’ve been his 33rd birthday.
“Happy birthday Jett – I miss you so much,” John wrote April 13 alongside a throwback photo of the father-son duo. “Love you forever!”
Although Jett died at age 16 in 2009 after having a seizure while on vacation with their family, the Oscar winner and Kelly—who also share kids Ella Bleau Travolta, 24, and Benjamin Travolta, 14—paid tribute to their eldest son each year.
Sharing a photo of himself with Kelly—who died in 2020 at age 57 following a two-year battle with breast cancer—and Jett, John wrote on Instagram last April, “Not a day goes by where you’re not with me!”
Meanwhile, among the Battlefield Earth actress’ final social media posts was also a birthday message for Jett. But she also took some time to share insight into their son’s autism diagnosis just one week earlier to honor National Autism Acceptance Month.
“I have a special place in my heart for those with autism and special needs,” Kelly reflected in an April 2020 Instagram caption. “Sending love to some of my favorite people in the world. My son Jetty was one of the most playful and wonderful souls you’ve ever met. Love to all of you with autism and special needs around the world.”
John previously reflected on the weight of losing a child who was so young at the time of his death.
“We had a very full life, my son and I, 16 years,” he explained to Entertainment Tonight in 2015. “We did travel the world and he saw every place by the time he was that age. You plan on a life that’s a lot longer for your child, and you always intend to go first.”
He emphasized, “Regardless of that full life we did live together, you wanted a full life for him.”
While he and Kelly ultimately learned how to navigate their grief, John admitted, “I got through a time when I didn’t think I was going to make it.”
Read on for some of John and Kelly’s sweetest family moments.
Happy Birthday John
John Travolta celebrated his 70th birthday in 2024 with his family, including their dog Peanut.
Her No. 1 Guy
“Happy Birthday to the man who is always by my side and who is always bringing light and beauty into this world,” Ella Bleu Travolta wrote to her dad alongside a throwback pic of the two. “I love you to the moon and back.”
Look Who’s Getting Older
“I can’t believe my baby boy is now a teenager,” the actor wrote for his and the late Kelly Preston‘s youngest son Benjamin Travolta. “Ben turns 13 today. I love you my son!”
All Grown Up
Ella also couldn’t believe her baby brother is now in his teens. “Happy Birthday my sweetest Benjamin,” she wrote. “It feels like yesterday you were this young and now you’re 13!! I love you!
The Best to Do It
In honor of Father’s Day, Ella wrote to her dad, “Thank you for being the best father and for all of the love and light you bring to the world. I love you to the moon and back.”
Cheers to a New Year
Ella and her dad rang in 2020 together at a black tie affair.
Kiss Sandwich
“Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!” Ella captioned a shot of her parents, just five months before Kelly’s death. “I hope it was filled with lots of love…here’s to eating chocolate with all of your front teeth missing!”
Gone But Not Forgetten
In April 2025, John honored his and Kelly’s son Jett Travolta on what would have been his 33rd birthday: “I miss you so much! Love you forever!”
In 2009, during a family trip to the Bahamas, Jett tragically died at age 16 after suffering from a seizure at their vacation home.
Kelly’s Legacy Lives On
In October 2023, on what would have been Kelly’s 61st birthday, Ella wrote on Instagram, “Happy Birthday mama, I love you so much! Thank you for inspiring me every day.”
His Greatest Role
That would be dad. “It’s privilege to be a father,” the Grease alum said. “I love you my babies.”
The One That He Wants
“Although they’re completely different from us, there’s a few similarities,” Kelly said of their roles as mob boss John Gotti and his wife Victoria Gotti. “We’ve been together for a long time, we love each other, we adore our kids—and then you’re playing characters.”
Say Cheese
They were all smiles as Benjamin celebrated his 9th birthday.
Hoppy Day
The family hopped into the Easter spirit.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
And the Travolta family was cuddled up in bed.
The Family Force Is Strong
John, Kellyand their kids had a family night out at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
