Travoltas Make First Public Appearance Since Son's Death

Eric Charbonneau/WireImage

Nine months after the death of their 16-year-old son Jett, John Travolta and Kelly Preston – with their 9-year-old daughter Ella Bleu – made their first public appearance together on Friday to promote their new Disney film Old Dogs.

Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook introduced the family during a surprise appearance for fans at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif. Travolta led the way on stage, holding Ella’s hand, as the family helped Cook introduce the movie.

All three appear in the comedy, which marks Ella’s big screen debut.

According to the Associated Press, Travolta told the crowd, “I always appreciate the audience’s love for me.”

He continued: “I hope they love Old Dogs and much as we do, because I’ve got my baby in it.”

While his wife returned to work in recent months to star opposite Miley Cyrus in The Last Song, Travolta has kept out of the public eye, instead flying to various locations alone to privately cope with his grief.

Preston was expected to speak in October at the California Governor’s Conference for Women on a panel titled “Grief & Resilience” but she bowed out last month saying it was “just too soon” to discuss Jett’s passing.

Old Dogs also costars Robin Williams and hits theaters on Nov. 25.

— Brenda Rodriguez

Comments

OH MY GOD! Ella has gotten sooo big! And she’s gone from looking just like her daddy to being a dark-haired copy of her mom. All the best to this family, they seem to be sticking together, good for them.

- natalie on September 16th, 2009

Ella looks like Kelly to me. R.I.P Jett.

- Tina. on September 16th, 2009

It’s horrific to lose a child, I cannot imagine. They will carry this pain forever and it is evident in John’s face = you can still see the grief he carries.

- mom to 3 boys on September 16th, 2009

I have the feeling John and Kelly must be much more protective of Ella now. Ella who is an absolutely gorgeous little girl, by the way!

- Allie-Rose on September 16th, 2009

My heart goes out to this beautiful family. It’s good to see them all in a project together.

- Mary on September 16th, 2009

Sad, their first official public appearence…I know it must of been so difficult. They are still in everyones thoughts, God Bless Travolta family!!

- Daisy on September 16th, 2009

She is a perfect combination of both parents. WOW!!

- Renee on September 16th, 2009

Ella Bleu is beautiful! She looks older than 9 for sure. So glad to see the family again and I hope they are doing well.

- Sarah on September 16th, 2009

Happy to see they are out and busy as a family. They will never forget precious Jett – the pictures they put out last January show the love and the closeness of their family. Bless them.

Ella is sweet looking and growing up. She’s at that age where little girls can be bigger or smaller and it means little about how they will change yet again in the next 5 years or so. I never thought Ella looked like John, they just kept her dark hair in a way it appeared she did. She looks so much like her mom here, just as I always thought she did.

- Sam on September 16th, 2009

God bless them.

- meghan on September 16th, 2009

I absolutely adore this family! I have always loved John and he seems like such a genuine man. The pics I have seen of Ella Blue as a little child, she looked like John so much, but seeing this pic of her as a little lady and so grown up, I can see Kelly in her as well. I am sorry for their loss and as you can see in their faces, they will never forget Jett and Ella Blue will never forget her brother as well. May having Ella with them, bring them comfort.

- Rhonda on September 16th, 2009

What lovely people. I know they will always miss Jett, and I think many of us too will always remember him when we see one or the other of this family.

- em on September 16th, 2009

Wow, Ella looks lovely. I haven’t seen a picture of her for a long time; she looks completely different now. I’m glad they’re taking their time with their grief and keeping to themselves. I’m also happy to see that they seem to be staying strong together – grief can tear couples apart, and that’s the last thing they need right now.

- Jenn on September 16th, 2009

I was hoping CBB would snag this photo! Ella has gotten to be such a grown up young lady…looks so much like John!!

- JMO on September 16th, 2009

It is so sad, and at the same time, to see them again! I can’t imagine how hard this year has been for them, and my heart goes out to the whole family.

I think Ella looks just like John, but with Kelly’s eyes. She a beautiful little girl!

- Shannon on September 16th, 2009

I always thought Ella looked exactly like John but as she gets older I see a lot of Kelly in her, especially her eyes and face shape. I think she has John’s nose, mouth, and coloring. She’s definitely a pretty little girl!

- Jenn on September 16th, 2009

awww, this picture made me cry. you can just see how much john is still grieving.
on a better note, i agree that ella looked just like john as a toddler. but now is a dark version of mom. gorgeous little girl.
the best of luck to this family.

- denise on September 16th, 2009

Ella has always been a gorgeous girl, she’s growing up really fast.

It’s good to see the Travoltas promoting their projects. What happened to Jett was a terrible tragedy, but they seem like an extremely close and strong family unit. I wish them the best.

- Erica on September 16th, 2009

why do all ythese hollywood mega actors put their kids in movies? Cruise, Will Smith and now Travolta. I just think its odd. Why not let them do it as adults and earn it themselves!

- freebreeze on September 16th, 2009

Ella’s a gorgeous little girl – so nice to see a new pic of her with her parents. I can’t believe how grown-up she looks!

freebreeze – as far as I know none of the kids were pushed into acting – they really wanted to do it. Lucky for them they had the opportunity. I’m sure the Travoltas and the Smiths know enough about the Hollywood scene to keep their children grounded and balanced.

- Hayley_B on September 16th, 2009

It’s nice to see them again. I still pray that they continue to heal. I can see in John’s eyes it’s a daily struggle, but I just hope the hurt will begin to become manageable soon for them. That they can think of their son, the time they had and smile, not feel so much pain.

Aside from that, Ella’s starting to turn into a beautiful young lady. She’s losing her little girl look.

- FC on September 16th, 2009

Ella is beautiful…a perfect blend of John and Kelly. I can’t even imagine what they are going through after losing Jett, but it is good to see them out together again.

- CTBmom on September 16th, 2009

You can tell their smiles aren’t real and all three of them are wearing black. You can definitely tell there is a lot of pain in each of them. My heart goes out to them. I wish I could give them a great big hug!!

- blondeblondy on September 16th, 2009

I feel so much for this family.
I know the pain they are going through.
I lost my first daughter four years ago and the pain is still raw.
I’m glad the grief hasn’t pushed john and kelly apart..because majority of the time that is what happenens.
I’m so glad that they have ella. when i miss my first daughter i go and give my 2nd daughter a massive cuddle.it really helps.
Allie-Rose Says,
I have the feeling John and Kelly must be much more protective of Ella now.

I completely agree with that allie.they would be.i know i am
but i think in this day and age its not such a bad thing to be a little over protective.
i really hope and pray that this family will only know happiness from now on and will find some kind of peace.

- mks on September 16th, 2009

aaw! i love this family! wow! ella got so big! she’s so pretty!

- g!na on September 16th, 2009

There is something really sad about the way John is holding onto to Ella. What has happened to them is truly heartbreaking, and it must be so hard for that poor girl. It is good to see them moving on though, and good that they are there for each other.

- Daisy.. on September 17th, 2009

My prayers are with this family. I lost my second child, and first son, this past March when he was 2 days old. Though our children’s ages and their circumstances were quite different, the intense pain and grief that comes with losing a child is something you can only understand if you experience it, and I can honestly say it truly breaks your heart to know of another parent having to go through it. I wish them all the comfort and peace possible.

- Anne on September 18th, 2009

Hayley B- You are correct. Also, I remember Tom Cruise say that Connor had to audition for his role, just like everyone else!

- CelebBabyLover on September 19th, 2009