Thousands of people flocked to Lenny’s Pizza Tuesday to welcome John Travolta back to the Bensonhurst pizzeria he made famous as Tony Manero in “Saturday Night Fever.”
In the film, Travolta struts down 86th street eating two Lenny’s slices, one stacked on top of the other. “Saturday Night Fever” helped launch into stardom both Travolta and the Bee Gees, whose disco songs featured on the film’s soundtrack – one of the best-selling of all time.
Travolta was honored at the ceremony by Lenny’s Pizza, which named a slice after him, and received a New York State proclamation for his impact on Brooklyn culture. He was joined on stage by his wife Kelly Preston, several actors from his upcoming film, “Gotti,” and State Sen. Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach).
“It’s not often that we have the opportunity to recognize a great actor who helped turn Brooklyn into a cultural touchstone in the late 1970s,” Golden said. “John Travolta did exactly that.”
Fans, including two John Travolta impersonators, danced in the street to Bee Gees hits as they waited anxiously to see the Brooklyn-built star, who was an hour-and-a-half late to the event.
“Brooklyn’s own” DJ Chazz and DJ Henry G sought to keep the ‘fever’ alive, frequently asking the crowd “are you ready?” The fans’ response was clear, as they chanted “we want John” ahead of his arrival.
When he did arrive, Travolta danced on stage, signed autographs, ate a slice of pizza, and spoke to his fans over the sound of a passing D Train on the tracks above.
“I feel like Brooklyn has been in my DNA since ‘Welcome Back Kotter,’” Travolta said, referring to the 1970s television program in which he got his start as Sweathogs leader and teenage heart throb Vinnie Barbarino. “I love you all so very much. Thank you for giving me such a foundation for my career.”
Referring to “Gotti,” which will be released June 15, Travolta said, “I want to say a special thanks to John Gotti Jr. and his whole family for supporting that movie, that story.” John Gotti lives forever – so support us, join us as the movie theatres. We love you, we love Brooklyn.”
William Demeo, who plays Sammy Gravano in “Gotti,” said about Travolta, “He is class act, one of the greatest people I ever met, and he’s here for everybody – this is the type of guy that he is. I can’t say enough for him.”
