John Travolta became emotional as he paid tribute to Dame Olivia Newton-John at the Oscars, after her death last year.
The Grease icon – who famously played Sandy in the beloved musical – died last August at the age of 73, after a long battle with breast cancer.
Appearing at this year’s ceremony, John, who starred as Danny Zuko opposite the late actress, was visibly moved as he introduced the In Memoriam segment, honoring entertainers who had lost their lives in the last year.
‘In this industry, we have the rare luxury of getting to do what we love for a living,’ the 69-year-old began. ‘And sometimes getting to do it with people we’ve come to love.
‘Since tonight is a celebration of the work and the accomplishments of our community in this past year, it’s only fitting that we celebrate those we’ve lost. Who dedicated their lives to their craft, both in front of and behind the camera. To their immeasurable contributions.
‘Each of them left an individual and indelible mark that shared and informed us.
‘They’ve touched our hearts, they’ve made us smile and became dear friends – who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to.’
Fans watching on from home were moved by the footage, and flocked to Twitter to praise John for ‘doing Dame Olivia proud’.
‘John Travolta getting me to cry like a little girl was not on my Oscar Night Bingo Scorecard,’ one said.
‘John Travolta’s introduction of the memories was probably the most sincere and moving part of the Oscars,’ another agreed.
A follower replied: ‘This broke my heart, John Travolta’s touching In Memorandum intro with a tearful reference to Olivia Newton John. #Oscars.’
‘What a heartbreaking moment,’ a viewer penned. ‘John Travolta was so brave and did more than wear his heart on his sleeve.
‘What an unspeakable loss this has been for him.’
‘John Travolta had a tough gig tonight: announcing the Oscars’ In Memoriam sequence, knowing that his favorite co-star would be leading the lineup,’ a Twitter user added.
‘He did her proud.’
Dame Olivia’s husband, John Easterling, confirmed the sad news of her death in August, explaining that she had ‘passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California’.
Oscar winners 2023
Here are the winners for the 95th Oscar Awards:
Best motion picture of the year
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Brendan Fraser in The Whale
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Ke Huy Quan in Everything Everywhere All at Once
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Michelle Yeoh in Everything Everywhere All at Once
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Jamie Lee Curtis in Everything Everywhere All at Once
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
Naatu Naatu from RRR, Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyric by Chandrabose
Achievement in directing
Everything Everywhere All at Once – Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Best animated feature film of the year
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Achievement in cinematography
All Quiet on the Western Front
Achievement in costume design
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Best documentary feature
Navalny
Best documentary short subject
The Elephant Whisperers
Achievement in film editing
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best international feature film of the year
All Quiet on the Western Front – Germany
Achievement in makeup and hairstyling
The Whale
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
All Quiet on the Western Front – Volker Bertelmann
Achievement in production design
All Quiet on the Western Front
Best animated short film
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Best live action short film
An Irish Goodbye
Achievement in sound
Top Gun: Maverick
Achievement in visual effects
Avatar: The Way of Water
Adapted screenplay
Women Talking
Original screenplay
Everything Everywhere All at Once
‘Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer’, he wrote at the time.
‘Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.
‘In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund.’
Fans and famous faces joined in paying tribute to the musician and actress on social media, with John reflecting on the time they spent together filming Grease.
‘My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better’, he wrote on Instagram.
‘Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again.’
He added: ‘Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!’
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