John Travolta Reveals the Role He Considers His Greatest

At the 2019 Rome Film Festival, John Travolta made a surprising revelation about his career. While promoting his psychological thriller The Fanatic, Travolta described the film as the role he is most proud of.

“This role is number one my favorite character I’ve ever played as an actor,” Travolta said. He explained that the film allowed him to explore his fascination with fandom and obsession, saying, “It reflects my hidden passions as a fan. I understand being a fanatic… it was more about that than fear of a fan.”

The Fanatic, directed and co-written by Fred Durst, stars Travolta as Moose, an autistic man who becomes dangerously obsessed with his favorite actor. Despite Travolta’s praise, the film faced largely negative reviews.

On Rotten Tomatoes, only 15% of critics gave positive feedback, while Metacritic reported an average score of 18 out of 100, signaling “overwhelming dislike.” Critics often singled out the voiceover narration and Travolta’s intense performance as points of contention.

Some reviews, however, highlighted the film’s suspense and Travolta’s commitment. Josh Millican of Dread Central called it “a riveting indie with genuine suspense” and praised both Travolta and co-star Devon Sawa. Travolta himself defended the movie, expressing pride in the project and admiration for Durst as a director.

It’s interesting to see Travolta celebrate a role that didn’t receive widespread acclaim. His passion for the character shows how actors can find personal meaning in their work, even if critics disagree. The Fanatic may not have been a hit, but Travolta clearly values the experience. Do you think an actor’s favorite role should always match audience approval? Share your thoughts in the comments.