Actor John Travolta and his daughter Ella Travolta appeared live on the TODAY show on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, to promote their upcoming Apple TV movie, "Propeller: One-Way Night Coach."
During the broadcast at Studio 1A, co-host Willie Geist shared a 1977 interview clip of the "Saturday Night Fever" star with Jane Pauley.
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The historical video clip triggered an immediate reaction from the family members as they observed the physical similarities across generations.
"You look like Ben!" said Ella Travolta, referring to her younger brother, Ben Travolta.
The 26-year-old actress, who portrays a flight attendant in the new project, noted that her father's younger self strongly resembled her brother.
"It actually reminds me a lot of my little brother, too. You guys look so similar," said Ella.
She expressed admiration for her father's early career appearance alongside the archival footage.
"I'm also so, so proud," said Ella.
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The father-daughter duo shared a laugh during the broadcast before the Oscar-nominated actor reflected on his early career mindset.
"You know what? I'm proud of him," said John Travolta, who directed the film.
The veteran actor explained that looking back at his younger self reminded him of his daughter's personality traits.
"He reminds me of Ella. He's very down-to-earth and real and tells the truth, and I like him," said John.
Behind the Scenes of 'Propeller: One-Way Night Coach'
The discussion then shifted to the production details of "Propeller: One-Way Night Coach," which John Travolta wrote, directed, and narrated.
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The Apple TV film follows a young aviation enthusiast embarking on a major flight.
Ella Travolta praised her father's transition into the directorial role, describing his workflow and preparation during the creative process.
"It was so inspiring and so incredible because he had the whole film — all the music, all the shots — everything in his head beforehand," said Ella.
She further detailed how they collaborated closely during the initial phases of production, utilizing basic consumer technology to organize the early scenes of the movie.
"He just knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish and he achieved that incredibly," said Ella.
The creative partnership involved working together to map out the narrative structure before full production commenced.
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"We're collaborative," said John Travolta.
