John Travolta paid tribute to his late friend and co-star, Olivia Newton-John, at the 93rd Academy Awards with an emotional introduction to the In Memoriam segment. The Grease actor choked back tears as he remembered Newton-John and the legacy she left behind.
Travolta spoke of the “rare luxury” of the acting profession to do what they love and sometimes to do it with people they come to love. He then added that it was fitting to honor those they’ve lost “who dedicated their lives to their craft – both in front of and behind the camera.”
“Since tonight is a celebration of the work and the accomplishments of our community in this past year, it is only fitting, then, that we celebrate those we’ve lost,” he said. “Who dedicated their lives to their craft — both in front of and behind the camera. Through their immeasurable contributions, each of them left an individual mark that shared and informed us. They’ve touched our hearts and made us smile and became dear friends.”
Travolta reminded the audience of Newton-John’s “immeasurable contributions” and how she had “touched our hearts and made us smile and became dear friends.” He concluded his speech with a reference to her famous song from Grease, “Hopelessly Devoted To You” and the words “we will always remain hopelessly devoted to.”
The introduction was met with a standing ovation from the audience, and the viewers at home took to Twitter to praise Travolta for his heartfelt tribute. One user wrote, “Oh John Travolta, my heart… he did so well, I couldn’t have made that intro if I was him.”
The In Memoriam segment of the Oscars is an annual tradition to honor those in the film industry who have passed away over the past year. This year, in addition to Newton-John, the segment paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman, Kirk Douglas, Cicely Tyson, and many other actors, directors, and behind-the-scenes crew.
John Travolta choked up when referencing his late ‘Grease’ co-star Olivia Newton-John while introducing the #Oscars In Memoriam segment, featuring Lenny Kravitz pic.twitter.com/JwQkZMY1hp
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) March 13, 2023
