Joseph "Joey" Travolta (born October 14, 1950) is an American actor, producer, director and writer.[1] He is a brother of actor John Travolta.[1]Contents [hide] 1 Early life 2 Career 3 References 4 External links
[edit] Early life
Travolta, one of six children,[2] was born and raised in Englewood, New Jersey, an inner-ring suburb of New York City. His father, Salvatore Travolta, was a semi-professional football player turned tire salesman and partner in a tire company.[3] His mother, Helen Cecilia (née Burke), was an actress and singer who had appeared in The Sunshine Sisters, a radio vocal group, and acted and directed before becoming a high school drama and English teacher. His father was a second-generation Italian American and his mother was Irish American.[4] [edit] Career
He produced the 2006 documentary film about autism, Normal People Scare Me.[1] Travolta is a former special education teacher,[5] and at the time of the film's production operated a children's film and acting workshop called Entertainment Experience.[1] "So I mentored him with lights and the camera and editing. He did all the interviewing and research. I kind of worked one-on-one with him," said Travolta of his work with teenage director Taylor Cross, who is himself autistic.[6] Travolta started the organization Actors for Autism, which assists those with the condition to create films.[7][8] "I dedicated my life to this. I love working with kids and I love making films," said Travolta to The Bakersfield Californian.[9] Travolta commented on the impact of the film: "It was like a domino effect. And I found my calling."[10] After his experiences working on the film, Travolta began to teach film to autistic children at camps in California, Florida, and Michigan.[10]
