John Travolta felt nothing but joy when accepting the role of Edna Turnblad in the 2007 film Hairspray. The part was originally written for a male actor and Travolta had long wanted to challenge himself with a gender-bending role.
He took the opportunity to really get into character and to play someone far different than parts he had played before.
Travolta found Edna’s transition from a quiet, working class housewife to a confident and opinionated star of the Corny Collins Show to be a powerful and poignant story. He wanted to capture her spirit on the big screen and provide a role model for young viewers.
Despite his initial worries about playing the role, Travolta soon found himself falling in love with Edna and embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.
In interviews, Travolta expressed how much he enjoyed playing Edna, often citing her vibrant personality, courage, and self-confidence as motivating factors for him to bring the character to life. He also felt a strong connection to the film’s message about embracing one’s true identity and pushing back against social norms.
Overall, John Travolta thoroughly enjoyed playing Edna in Hairspray and was deeply moved by the message of the film.
Why did they choose John Travolta in Hairspray?
John Travolta was cast in Hairspray for a variety of reasons. He had already won an academy award for his performances in Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction. He was also an experienced musical performer and was comfortable with dancing, singing, and acting.
Additionally, his popularity was an added bonus—his star power was expected to bring in viewers and help the box office. His affable, charismatic personality made him an ideal choice for the role; his charm and swagger lent authenticity to the part.
Moreover, Travolta had experience playing eager misfits, which was necessary for the role of Edna Turnblad. Plus, his history of playing dramatic romantic roles enabled him to bring a heightened emotionality to the scene with Ricki Lake.
Ultimately, the combination of his singing, dancing and acting talents along with his star power and off-screen charm made John Travolta the perfect pick for the part in Hairspray.
What is the central message of Hairspray?
The central message of Hairspray is to stand up for what you believe in regardless of the obstacles you may face. This message is communicated through the main characters of the show, Tracy, Edna, and Link, all of whom face varying levels of discrimination, bullying, and exclusion based on their race and size.
Despite the challenges they face, all three characters decide to fight against the status quo and ensure that their voices are heard. Whether it’s standing up to the tyrannical principal of Tracy’s school, the oppressive racial segregation laws, or advocating for the rights of those who are different, these characters come together to show that everyone, regardless of their race, size, or gender, has the right to be treated with respect and dignity.
By expressing their views and taking action, Tracy, Edna, and Link stand up for what they believe in, and they demonstrate that, when a powerful message of acceptance and inclusion is shared, it can lead to positive and lasting change in the world.
Who is Tracy Turnblad in love with?
Tracy Turnblad is a spunky teenage girl and the protagonist of the musical film, Hairspray (2007). In the film, she is in love with a boy named Link Larkin, who is a good-looking and popular teenager in her high school.
The two characters meet when Tracy auditions for a spot on the The Corny Collins Show, a popular local television program. Link is a part of the show and performs as a back-up dancer. Despite the initial misgivings he has about her due to her size, Link eventually falls in love with Tracy and they become a couple.
Link helps in her fight to integrate the television show which eventually leads to integration in their hometown of Baltimore. Throughout the movie, Link and Tracy’s courtship flourishes and they become one of the main couples in the film, standing together at the end of the movie when their efforts are successful.
Why was Edna Turnblad played by a man?
The musical Hairspray is based on the 1988 film starring off-beat actress Divine. Divine had played the role of a plus size mom, Edna Turnblad, in the movie. When the musical was made into a Broadway show, the original creators decided to maintain the tradition of having a man play the part of Edna Turnblad.
The main appeal of a man playing the part of Edna Turnblad for the musical was to add a layer of humor to the performance. Since Edna is presented as an overbearing and outgoing character, having a man in a dress and heavy makeup detract from the seriousness of the role, allowing audiences to laugh without feeling guilty.
The performance of Edna is heavily reliant on facial expressions, to accentuate the humor of the part. As the Edna character is a body-positive depiction of plus-sizing, having a man in the role allows for actors to indulge in the comedic element of Edna’s personality, such as showing a wide range of facial expressions, in contrast to a woman being restrained by societal standards of beauty.
Furthermore, there is some suggestion that in order to make Edna palatable to a wider audience, the role was played by a man as it allowed for a heightened level of drag humor without offending people.
By having a man in the role, the more outrageous elements of Edna Turnblad are not taken too seriously and are instead presented as part of an enjoyable performance.
All in all, Edna Turnblad is best enjoyed when portrayed by a man, seeing as the role requires a high degree of over-the-top comedy which can only be achieved by a male actor. This allows for audiences to appreciate the comedic elements of the musical while still enjoying the positive message in Edna Turnblad’s story.
Who sings for Zac Efron in Hairspray?
The lead vocals for Zac Efron’s singing parts in the 2007 musical film Hairspray were actually provided by Drew Seeley, a singer and actor who served as a singing double for Efron. This means Seeley was hired to provide the singing voice of Efron’s character in the movie, even though it is Efron who appears on screen.
This technique, known as ‘singing double’ or ‘vocal dubbing’, is often used when performers have limited vocal range. While Efron could have sung the songs in the movie, Seeley was hired to provide the necessary vocal range for the musical numbers.
Although Seeley sang for Efron in the movie, Efron was seen doing the lip syncing and all of the dancing, as well as performing on the soundtrack album. Seeley is also featured on the movie’s soundtrack album, but is not credited in the CD packaging.
Seeley also provided the singing voice for Efron’s character in the sequel Hairspray 2: White Lipstick.
Who originally played Tracy in Hairspray?
The original Broadway production of Hairspray opened on August 15, 2002, and was directed and choreographed by Broadway legend, Jack O’Brien and original cast member, Jerry Mitchell. The original lead role of Tracy Turnblad was played by Marissa Jaret Winokur.
She won a Tony Award for her performance. Marissa Jaret Winokur also originated the role of Tracy for the 2007 film adaptation of Hairspray. Nikki Blonsky played the role in the film, directed by Adam Shankman.
Winokur was the voice of Tracy for the animated series, Hairspray taking place in 1962. The musical is based on the 1988 John Water’s film of the same name. Other notable original cast members include Taylor Louderman as Amber Von Tussle, Christopher Fitzgerald as Wilbur Turnblad, Harvey Fierstein as Edna Turnblad, Laura Bell Bundy as Amber Von Tussle, and Linda Hart as Velma Von Tussle.
Who made a cameo appearance in Hairspray the movie musical?
Multiple celebrities made cameo appearances in the 2007 movie musical Hairspray. These included:
• Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle
• John Travolta as Edna Turnblad
• Zac Efron as Link Larkin
• Jerry Stiller as Mr. Pinky
• Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma Von Tussle
• Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton
• Christopher Walken as Wilbur Turnblad
• Elijah Kelley as Seaweed J. Stubbs
• Allison Janney as Prudy Pingleton
• Ric Ocasek as Harriman F. Spritzer
• Paul Rudd as Floyd Hagen
• Matthew Morrison as Corny Collins
• Joan Cusack as Mrs. Spritzer
• Debbie Harry as Ms. Moldy, the teacher
• Mark Saul as Duane, Penny’s boyfriend
• Bruce Willis as Mr. Pinky’s friend, Tommy
Who was the first Tracy in Hairspray?
The first Tracy in the Hairspray franchise was Ricki Lake. She played the role of Tracy Turnblad in the original 1988 movie which was based on a stage musical written by John Waters. Lake went on to reprise her role in the 2007 musical adaptation of the original film, which in turn was based on the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name.
Lakes portrayal of the upbeat, dance-loving ‘pleasantly plump’ teenager earned her an MTV Movie Award for ‘Best Breakthrough Role’, as well as a Golden Globe nomination for ‘Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy’.
Her performance has been recognized as iconic to this day, and Lake remains a prominent figure in the Hairspray franchise and larger pop culture landscape.
Who was the first to portray Edna Turnblad?
The first person to portray Edna Turnblad was Divine (born Harris Glenn Milstead) in the 1988 cult classic musical film, “Hairspray. ” The film adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name features Divine as the larger-than-life, determined, and lovably eccentric Edna Turnblad.
When the film was released, critics praised Divine’s performance and praised the actress for being able to capture both the essence and spirit of the role of Edna. Aside from receiving a nomination for the Independent Spirit Awards for Best Male Lead, Divine also won the Adult Film Association of America’s award for Best Comedy Performance for her portrayal of Edna.
Divine, who was already well-known for playing eccentric characters in John Waters’ cult-favorite films, once again showed why she had become an icon in the world of independent cinema with her portrayal of Edna Turnblad.
What movie made John Travolta most money?
According to celebritynetworth. com, the movie that made John Travolta the most money was Pulp Fiction (1994). At the time the movie was released, Travolta was paid a $1 million salary, which is estimated to be around $1.
8 million today. Additionally, the movie earned him a share of the profits (which was determined to be a staggering $22 million) further down the line. Pulp Fiction was one of Travolta’s most famous and critically acclaimed films, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the popular movie Get Shorty (1995). Other movies that made Travolta a lot of money include Face/Off (1997), Grease (1978) and Saturday Night Fever (1977).
Who was the first actress to earn $1000000 for a film role?
The first actress to earn $1000000 for a film role was Sally Field. She was paid the salary for her role as Sybil in the 1976 film Sybil, which was based on the 1973 book by Flora Rheta Schreiber. The autobiographical novel tells the story of a woman suffering from dissociative identity disorder, and Sally Field was cast in the role for the film adaptation.
She received a then-unprecedented $1000000 payment for the role. After this groundbreaking salary, other major actresses were able to command high salaries for their performances, leading to a major shift in gender equity in Hollywood.
How many private jets does Travolta own?
John Travolta owns five private jets. He owns four of the same type of plane, the Boeing 707-138, and a Gulfstream II. He purchased the first plane, a Boeing 707-138, in 1998. The plane was made in 1965 and was formerly used by Qantas Airways.
He later purchased three other Boeings, all of which are currently outfitted in Qantas livery. Travolta also owns a Gulfstream II which he purchased in 2002. He uses it for personal trips and often donates his plane for humanitarian aid efforts.
Between his airplanes and amenities, Travolta has reportedly spent over $100 million on his fleet.
What actor made the most money from 1 movie?
According to the financial website CheatSheet, the actor who made the most money from one movie is Robert Downey Jr. , star of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following the release of the film Avengers: Endgame, Downey Jr.
was reported to have earned an estimated $75 million salary for his role in the movie. This made him the highest paid actor for a single movie. Additionally, due to his back-end deal on the movie and other promotional activities, his total earnings are estimated to be around $200 million.
Other actors who have earned large paydays from a single movie include Dwayne Johnson, with an estimated $32 million from the movie Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and Harrison Ford, with an estimated $34 million for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
What is the highest grossing single movie of all time?
The highest grossing single movie of all time is Avengers: Endgame (2019), directed by the Russo brothers. Released by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney, the film grossed a total of $2,797,800,564, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time, surpassing the previous record held by Avatar (2009), which had grossed over $2.
78 billion dollars. Avengers: Endgame follows the Avengers as they attempt to save mankind and the universe, using the Infinity Stones, in order to undo the damage caused by their enemies, Thanos and Nebula.
The film was the 22nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the fourth installment in the Avengers franchise. It featured an ensemble cast of many well-known actors, such as Robert Downey Jr. , Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, and many more.
The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, and its success solidified Marvel’s position as one of the biggest film franchises in the world.