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Kelly Preston

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Kelly Preston
Preston at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival
Born
Kelly Kamalelehua Smith

(1962-10-13)October 13, 1962
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
DiedJuly 12, 2020(2020-07-12) (aged 57)[1]
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Cause of deathBreast cancer
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
Occupation(s)Actress, model
Years active1980–2018
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1985; div. 1987)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1991)​
Children3
Websitewww.kellypreston.com

Kelly Kamalelehua Smith (October 13, 1962 – July 12, 2020),[2][3][4] better known by her stage name Kelly Preston, was an American actress and model. She appeared in more than sixty television and film productions, most notably Mischief (1985), Twins (1988), and Jerry Maguire (1996). She was married to John Travolta, with whom she collaborated on the science fiction film Battlefield Earth (2000) and the biographical film Gotti (2018). She also starred in the films The Cat in the Hat (2003), What a Girl Wants (2003), Broken Bridges (2006) and Old Dogs (2009).

Early years

Kelly Kamalelehua Smith[5][6] (the middle name "Kamalelehua" means 'garden of lehuas' in Hawaiian - a lehua being a well-known Hawaiian flower[7][8]) was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother, Linda, was an administrator of a mental health center. Her father, who worked for an agricultural firm, drowned when Preston was three years old.[9][10][failed verification] Her mother subsequently married Peter Palzis, a personnel director. He adopted Preston, and she used his name in her acting career.[11][12] She also had a younger half-brother, Chris Palzis.[11]

As a child, Preston lived in Iraq,[13] and also Australia, where she attended Pembroke School in Adelaide.[14] She then attended Punahou School in Honolulu,[15] and studied drama and theater at the University of Southern California.[16]

Career

While living in Australia, Preston was discovered at 16 by a fashion photographer who helped her get work in commercials and other small parts.[11] He arranged her first film audition for the role of Emmeline in The Blue Lagoon (1980), which she lost to the younger Brooke Shields.[17] At that time she changed her last name to Preston.[18]

Her first prominent film roles came in 1985—first as Marilyn McCauley in romantic comedy teen flick Mischief; then as the beautiful but shallow Deborah Ann Fimple in another teen romantic comedy, Secret Admirer. Her other notable roles included SpaceCamp (1986), Twins[19] (1988) with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito, Avery Bishop in Jerry Maguire (1996) with Tom Cruise, Jane Aubrey in For Love of the Game with Kevin Costner and Kate Newell, and in Holy Man (1998) with Eddie Murphy and Jeff Goldblum. In 1997, she starred in Nothing to Lose, which co-starred Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence, although Lawrence and Preston did not receive screen credit. She also starred in the movie Jack Frost (1998).

Preston played the girlfriend of her husband John Travolta's character "Terl" in the 2000 film Battlefield Earth,[20] and received "Worst Supporting Actress" at the 21st Golden Raspberry Awards for her role in the film.[21] In 2005, she appeared as the protagonist's flying, superhero mother in the film Sky High.

Preston in 2005

In 2004, Preston was in the Maroon 5 music video "She Will Be Loved", which featured a love triangle and romantic scenes between Preston and Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine. In 2007, Preston appeared in the crime thriller Death Sentence, in which she played Helen Hume, the wife of Kevin Bacon's character Nick. In 2008, she was cast in a television pilot called Suburban Shootout,[22] and had a short term recurring role in Medium.[22]

In 2008, Preston starred in the Lifetime television film The Tenth Circle, directed by Peter Markle. It was shot in Nova Scotia and featured Ron Eldard, Britt Robertson, Michael Riley, Jamie Johnston and Geordie Brown.[23]

Preston was a spokeswoman for Neutrogena, appearing in its print and television ads.[24]

Personal life

Preston was married to actor Kevin Gage from 1985 until their divorce in 1987.[citation needed] She also had a relationship with George Clooney.[when?][11] She was briefly engaged to Charlie Sheen in 1990,[11][25] but ended the relationship shortly after he allegedly shot her in the arm.[25][26] In a 2011 interview with TMZ, Preston said that Sheen did not shoot her.[27]

Preston first met John Travolta in 1987 while filming The Experts.[28] They married in 1991, traveling to Paris on an Air France Concorde for a wedding ceremony at the Hotel de Crillon (on the Place de la Concorde) on September 5, 1991. However, a second ceremony was required because the first, performed by a French Scientology minister (both Preston and Travolta were Scientologists), was considered invalid.[citation needed] The second ceremony took place on September 12 in Daytona Beach, Florida.[29] Preston and Travolta had three children: son Jett (April 13, 1992 – January 2, 2009), daughter Ella Bleu (born 2000), and a second son, Benjamin (born 2010).[30][31]

Death of Jett Travolta

Preston's son Jett Travolta was described as suffering from Kawasaki disease as an infant and had a history of seizures.[32][33] In 2003, Preston appeared on The Montel Williams Show to promote L. Ron Hubbard's Purification Rundown, which she credited with helping her son.[34]

On January 2, 2009, Jett Travolta died while the family was on a holiday vacation in The Bahamas.[35][36] His death was attributed to a seizure.[37] In September 2009, Travolta and Preston confirmed longstanding speculations when they testified that their son had autism and suffered regular seizures. This revelation came during their testimony at the trial resulting from an extortion attempt related to their son's death.[38]

On January 23, 2009, three people were arrested in the Bahamas in connection with a multimillion-dollar extortion plot against Travolta and Preston concerning the circumstances of their son's death.[39] One of the men, Obie Wilchcombe, a member of the Bahamian Parliament and former Bahamian Minister of Tourism, was described as a "close friend" of Travolta and Preston.[39] Two others allegedly involved were an EMT named Tarino Lightbourne and a Bahamian senator named Pleasant Bridgewater. Bridgewater was charged with abetment to extort and conspiracy to extort and resigned from the Senate as a result of the allegations.[39][40] The first trial ended in a mistrial. After a second jury had been selected, the Travoltas elected to drop the case and all charges against the defendants were dismissed.[41]

Death

On July 12, 2020, Preston died at the age of 57, two years after she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.[2] Her death was announced on an Instagram post under an account belonging to John Travolta and Ella Bleu.[42]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1983 10 to Midnight Doreen
Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn Dhyana
Christine Roseanne
1985 Mischief Marilyn McCauley
Secret Admirer Deborah Anne Fimple
1986 SpaceCamp Tish Ambrosé
52 Pick-Up Cini
1987 Love at Stake Sara Lee
A Tiger's Tale Shirley Butts
Amazon Women on the Moon Violet Segment: "Titan Man"
1988 Spellbinder Miranda Reed
Twins Marnie Mason
1989 The Experts Bonnie
1991 Run Karen Landers
1992 Only You Amanda Hughes
1994 Double Cross Vera Blanchard Video
Love Is a Gun Jean Starr
Cheyenne Warrior Rebecca Carver
1995 Mrs. Munck Young Rose
Waiting to Exhale Kathleen Uncredited cameo
1996 Citizen Ruth Rachel
From Dusk till Dawn Newscaster Kelly Houge
Curdled Kelly Hogue
Jerry Maguire Avery Bishop
1997 Addicted to Love Linda
Nothing to Lose Ann Beam
1998 Holy Man Kate Newell
Jack Frost Gabby Frost
1999 For Love of the Game Jane Aubrey
2000 Battlefield Earth Chirk
2001 Daddy and Them Rose
2003 View from the Top Sherry
What a Girl Wants Libby Reynolds
The Cat in the Hat Joan Walden
2004 Eulogy Lucy Collins
Return to Sender Susan Kennan
2005 Sky High Josie Stronghold / Jetstream
2006 Broken Bridges Angela Delton
2007 Death Sentence Helen Hume
2008 Struck Trista Short film
2009 Old Dogs Vicki
2010 The Last Song Kim
Casino Jack Pam Abramoff
2018 Gotti Victoria Gotti Final role

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1980 Hawaii Five-O Wendy Episode: "For Old Times Sake"
1982 Capitol Gillian McCandless TV series
1983 Lone Star Redhead TV film
1983 Quincy, M.E. Ginger Reeves Episode: "On Dying High"
1983 The Renegades Lisa Primus Episode: "Back to School"
1983 CHiPs Anna Episode: "Things That Go Creep in the Night"
1983-1984 For Love and Honor Mary Lee Regular role (12 episodes)
1984 Riptide Sherry Meyers Episode: "The Hardcase"
1984 Blue Thunder Amy Braddock Episode: "The Long Flight"
1990 Tales from the Crypt Linda Episode: "The Switch"
1991 The Perfect Bride Laura TV film
1993 The American Clock Diana Marley
1994 Cheyenne Warrior Rebecca Carver
1996 Little Surprises Ginger TV short
2000 Bar Hopping Bebe TV film
2001 Fear Factor Herself Season 2 Episode 1
2004 Joey Donna Di Gregorio Episodes: "Joey and the Dream Girl: Parts 1 & 2"
2005 Fat Actress Quinn Taylor Scott Recurring role (4 episodes)
2008 Suburban Shootout Camilla Diamond Unsold TV pilot
2008 Medium Meghan Doyle Recurring role (4 episodes)
2008 The Tenth Circle Laura Stone TV film
2013 Adopted Karey
The Stafford Project Tabitha Episode: "White Secret"
2016 CSI: Cyber Greer Latimore Recurring role (3 episodes)

Music videos

Year Title Artist Role Ref.
2004 "She Will Be Loved" Maroon 5 Socialite/Mother [43][44]

Awards and nominations

Awards
Year Award Category Production Result
2001 Golden Raspberry Award Worst Supporting Actress Battlefield Earth Won
2004 Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat Nominated
2010 Old Dogs Nominated
2019 Gotti Nominated
Worst Screen Combo Nominated

References

  1. ^ Kent, Sara-Aisha (July 13, 2020). "Actress Kelly Preston dies aged 57 after brave battle with breast cancer". mirror. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Kelly Preston Dies of Breast Cancer at 57: 'She Was a Bright, Beautiful and Loving Soul' People
  3. ^ Kelly Preston, Actress and Wife of John Travolta, Dead at 57 Entertainment Tonight
  4. ^ Kelly Preston dies at 57 after battle with breast cancer ABC13
  5. ^ Yu Shing Ting (October 21, 2002). "Kelly Preston Hollywood Actor". Career Kōkua, State of Hawaii.
  6. ^ "Ten Celebrities That Hail From Hawai". Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  7. ^ Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television, vol. 59, Thomas Riggs, Gale Biographies, 2005, pg 259
  8. ^ Celebrated Weekends: The Stars' Guide to the most exciting destinations in the world, Mark Seal, Rutledge Hill Press, 2007, pg 153
  9. ^ "Kelly Preston Profile". uk.eonline.com. E! Online. Archived from the original on August 7, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  10. ^ Donnelly, Dave. "Hawaii." Honolulu Star-Bulletin. May 17, 1999.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Kelly Preston Biography". movies.yahoo.com. Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on December 26, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  12. ^ "Kelly Preston Biography (1962–)". FilmReference.com. NetIndustries, LLC. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  13. ^ Kelly Preston. "Biography". Personal Website. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  14. ^ "Kelly Preston, actor and wife of John Travolta, dies of breast cancer at 57". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  15. ^ "Hawaii-born Kelly Preston, actress and wife of John Travolta, dies at age 57". Star Advertiser. July 12, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  16. ^ "John Travolta's wife Kelly Preston dies of breast cancer aged 57". The New Daily. July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  17. ^ "Kelly Preston".
  18. ^ Kelly Preston Vitals Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine at Ask Men.com
  19. ^ "Interview with Kelly Preston (1988)". Texas Archive of the Moving Image. Archived from the original on December 29, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  20. ^ Graham, Bob (January 19, 2001). "Travolta's Demolition Derby: Comic-book nuttiness lifts 'Battlefield Earth'". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications. Retrieved June 12, 2008.
  21. ^ Grant, John (2006). Sci-Fi Movies: Facts, Figures & Fun. Sterling Publishing Company. p. 87. ISBN 1-904332-35-8.
  22. ^ a b Trechak, Brad (May 16, 2008). "Kelly Preston in new HBO series". TV Squad. Retrieved June 12, 2008.
  23. ^ "The Tenth Circle". IMDB. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  24. ^ "Kelly Preston Fronts Neutrogena" January 20, 2005, Monsters and Critics
  25. ^ a b Faber, Judy (August 24, 2006). "Charlie Sheen". CBS. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  26. ^ "Charlie Sheen Biography" Archived March 22, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Biography Channel website. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  27. ^ "Kelly Preston -- Charlie Sheen DID NOT Shoot Me!". TMZ.
  28. ^ Bob and Sheri Stritof. "Kelly Preston and John Travolta Marriage Profile." about.com. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  29. ^ "John Travolta Biography". Enewsreference.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
  30. ^ "John Travolta and Kelly Preston Welcome Son Benjamin". People. November 24, 2010. Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  31. ^ "Kelly Preston’s Post-Baby Body Secret? Breastfeeding" Archived May 27, 2012, at archive.today April 13, 2011, People
  32. ^ "John Travolta's 16-Year-Old Son Dies". People. January 2, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  33. ^ Errico, Marcus (January 2, 2009). "John Travolta's Son Jett Dead at 16". E! Online. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  34. ^ Wright, Lawrence. Going Clear. Knopf. p. 162.
  35. ^ "Jett Travolta, son of actors, dies at 16". CNN. January 2, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
  36. ^ "John Travolta's teenage son dies". BBC News. BBC. January 2, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
  37. ^ "Death Certificate: John Travolta's Son Died of a Seizure". ABC News. January 5, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
  38. ^ Abraham, Mary Rose (September 23, 2009). "From John Travolta: I Ran Down the Stairs To Help My Son". ABC News. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  39. ^ a b c Harlow, John (January 25, 2009). "Senator 'tried to extort cash' from Travolta over son's death". The Sunday Times. UK. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  40. ^ "Travolta Suspect Resigns". TMZ.com. January 24, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  41. ^ Roberts, Soraya. "John Travolta drops extortion plot case against Tarino Lightbourne, Pleasant Bridgwater". nydailynews.com. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  42. ^ Kelly Preston, Actress in ‘Mischief,’ ‘Jerry Maguire,’ Dies at 57 Variety
  43. ^ "Maroon 5 – She Will Be Loved (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  44. ^ Govan, Chloé (2013). Maroon 5: Shooting For the Stars. Omnibus Press. p. 141. ISBN 9781783230037.
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