John Travolta turns 72 and earns his Bombardier jet licence: the Hollywood icon continues to amaze

Just when you think John Travolta has done it all, he goes and pulls another surprise out of the bag... or rather, out of the hangar. The legendary American actor has just blown out 72 candles on his birthday cake and, as if a career packed with success wasn't enough, he's decided to treat himself to a new achievement: a Bombardier jet pilot's licence. Yes, you read that right – he can now take the helm (or rather, the cockpit) of some of the most sought-after business jets out there. But let's rewind a bit.

Born in Englewood, New Jersey, Travolta isn't just a movie star; he's a genuine aviation enthusiast. He's clocked up thousands of flying hours and owns a fleet of aircraft that would make a small airline jealous. And now, at 72, this new certification proves his appetite for the skies (and for a challenge) is far from satisfied. While many at seventy are thinking about retirement, he's throwing himself into something new, adding a top-tier qualification to his already impressive piloting CV.

From Tony Manero to pilot: the many faces of a legend

It's impossible to sum up John Travolta's career in just a few lines. From his breakthrough in Saturday Night Fever, where he taught the world how to move to a disco beat, through to his more mature and complex roles. Just the other night, as it happens, an Italian TV channel aired that absolute cult classic, and watching it again – all those white suits – was like taking a trip straight back to the 1970s. But Travolta has never confined himself to one genre: he's danced, shot guns, cried and made us laugh, always with that undeniable charisma that few possess.

Who could forget the iconic Vincent Vega in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction? Or the mind-bending transformation in Face/Off, where he and Nicolas Cage literally swap faces? Speaking of Cage, their duo performance in that film is legendary: Travolta plays terrorist Castor Troy who "wears" the skin of agent Archer (Cage), and vice versa. A hall of mirrors that kept millions of viewers glued to their screens, giving fans an epic showdown between two titans. And how can we not mention his most human and touching role in Ladder 49? Here, Travolta is Captain Mike Kennedy, mentor to a young recruit (Joaquin Phoenix), in one of the most sincere films about the world of firefighters. A performance that reveals his deeper, more paternal side.

Travolta-mania: from wannabes to enduring icons

There are those who try to imitate him, and those who have always dreamed of being him. The John Travolta wannabes are a never-ending phenomenon: in the 70s everyone wanted his dance moves, in the 90s his black shirt and earring from Pulp Fiction, and today... well, today they probably dream of having his pilot's licence! Joking aside, Travolta is one of those actors who has left his mark on generations, capable of reinventing himself without ever losing that "tough guy with a heart of gold" aura. From the disco phenomenon to the Tarantino renaissance, from comedy to action, he's always made an impact.

• 1977: Saturday Night Fever turns him into a global icon, and even today the film is re-shown on TV to great success.
• 1994: Pulp Fiction relaunches him as a cult actor, giving him a new artistic lease of life.
• 1997: Face/Off sees him go head-to-head with Nicolas Cage in an unforgettable action thriller, where the two literally "steal" each other's faces.
• 2004: Ladder 49 gives him one of the most intense roles of his career, as a fire captain ready to risk it all.
• 2026: At 72, he earns his Bombardier jet licence: a new chapter in his life as an aviator, adding to his previous qualifications.

And while he continues to fly high (quite literally), we can't help but wish him a happy birthday and thank him for all the characters he's given us. Who knows, maybe his next role will be exactly that of an exceptional pilot? Perhaps inspired by his own life. One thing's for sure: John Travolta never stops making us dream, whether on the dance floor or up among the clouds. And we, being British, can only raise a glass and say: cheers, captain!