Heartbroken John Travolta breaks down in tears during Memoriam segment at Oscars

13 March 2023 , 03:05

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Heartbroken John Travolta breaks down in tears during Memoriam segment at Oscars

John Travolta broke down on stage at the 95th Academy Awards as he shared a sweet tribute to his former co-star Olivia Newton-John while introducing the Oscars In Memoriam.

He began: "In this industry, we have the rare luxury of doing what we want for a living and sometimes we get to do it with people that we come to love.

"Since tonight is a celebration of the work and accomplishments of our community this past year, it is only fitting that we celebrate those we lost, who dedicated their lives to their craft both in front of and behind the camera."

"Through their immeasurable contributions each of them left an individual mark that shared and informed us," he continued as he visibly held back tears.

John Travolta struggled to hold back tears (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

"They touched our hearts, they made us smile and became dear friends who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to."

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John's reference to the Grease track Hopelessly Devoted To You, which was performed by Olivia's character Sandy in the 1978 film, led to the audience crying out in compassion with the actor.

His voice broke before he continued on with introducing the In Memoriam tribute.

Lenny Kravitz performed his track Calling All Angels on stage while the names of those in the industry who have died in the past year were shown on screen.

Olivia Newton John died in August last year at 72 years old

The Academy Awards In Memoriam Tribute honoured his late co-stars Olivia and Kirstie Alley.

Viewers flocked to Twitter to comment on the emotional moment as one wrote: "Moving and emotional intro to the In Memoriam segment by John Travolta. #Oscars #AcademyAwards."

Another viewer admitted they were in tears as they tweeted: "John Travolta saying "Hopelessly devoted to you" to Olivia Newton-John #Oscars," and a third said: "Beautiful...@LennyKravitz And big hug, John... We all are going in the same Road... #Oscars #Oscars2023."

Some of those remembered also included Ray Liotta, Raquel Welch, composer Burt Bacharach, directors Wolfgang Petersen, Bob Rafelson and Jean-Luc Godard, and producer and past Academy President Walter Mirisch.

Charlotte McIntyre