John Travolta Reflects On 30 Years Of Pulp Fiction: A Legendary Journey

Ms. Dulce Botsford 19 May 2025

Let me tell you, it’s been three decades since John Travolta slipped into the shoes of Vincent Vega in Quentin Tarantino’s groundbreaking film, Pulp Fiction. And you know what? The man has nothing but heartwarming memories of those days on set back in 1994. It wasn’t just a movie—it was a moment that changed everything for fans and filmmakers alike.

At 70 years old, John Travolta still lights up when he talks about the film that became a cultural phenomenon. Recently, at the Pulp Fiction 30th Anniversary red carpet and panel on April 18, he opened up about the film's journey. "It was epic, and it kept growing," John reminisced with People. "The audience is what made this movie what it is, but it wasn’t instantaneous. It took about a year to evolve. Back then, movies stayed in theaters for a year. By the time it reached the end of that year, it was monumental—worldwide!"

John wasn’t alone on the red carpet that night. He was joined by fellow cast members Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Harvey Keitel, making it a star-studded reunion. But there was one special guest who added even more joy to the evening: his daughter, Ella Bleu Travolta. At 24 years old, Ella looked absolutely radiant in a brown and red dress paired with sleek black heels, supporting her dad in style.

“Oh my gosh, it’s surreal,” Ella gushed to Entertainment Tonight about the experience. “It’s so amazing. We’ve been having so much fun all the way here, so it’s going to be such a great night.”

When Ella Met Pulp Fiction

John revealed that he waited patiently until Ella turned 18 before letting her watch Pulp Fiction. He wanted her to fully appreciate the film’s mature themes and complexities. And boy, did she ever love it!

“She loved every single part of it,” John beamed. “She’s a real cinephile. She has incredible taste in films. She gets it from somewhere, you know?”

Ella’s Take on Her Dad’s Iconic Performance

Ella shared her admiration for her father’s work in the film, calling it nothing short of perfection. “I’ve heard about it my entire life and seen clips here and there, but when I finally watched the whole thing, it blew me away,” she said. “It’s the definition of a perfect movie. For someone like me, who aspires to be an actress, it’s incredibly inspiring.”

John Travolta Pulp Fiction reunion — Presley Ann/Getty Images for TCM

John’s unforgettable performance in Pulp Fiction earned him a well-deserved Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. But the story behind how he landed the role is almost as fascinating as the movie itself.

The Role That Found John

“I never went into it thinking, ‘This is what I need or deserve,’” John explained. “It was more like the role found me. Quentin Tarantino was such a huge fan of mine that he always dreamed of working with me. It didn’t have to be Pulp Fiction; it could’ve been any project. But after a few meetings, Quentin said, ‘Maybe I’ll go the Travolta route.’ He’d mentioned From Dusk Till Dawn, but then it all clicked into place with Pulp Fiction.”

For John, it wasn’t just about landing another gig—it was about being part of something that would resonate with audiences for generations. And boy, did it ever.