Kelly Preston

Credit: Eric Charbonneau/WireImage

Travoltas Make First Public Appearance Since Son's Death

Originally posted 09/12/2009 01:00PM

Nine months after the death of their 16-year-old son Jett, John Travolta and Kelly Preston – with their daughter Ella Bleu – made their first public appearance together on Friday to promote their new Disney film Old Dogs.

Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook introduced the family during a surprise appearance for fans at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif. Travolta led the way on stage, holding Ella's hand, as the family helped Cook introduce the movie. All three appear in the comedy, which marks Ella's big screen debut.

According to the Associated Press, Travolta told the crowd, "I always appreciate the audience's love for me." He continued: "I hope they love Old Dogs and much as we do, because I've got my baby in it."

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Credit: Reuters/Landov

Kelly Preston to Break Silence About Losing Her Son

Originally posted 07/08/2009 06:40PM

Since last January, when Jett Travolta died suddenly of a seizure at the age of 16 while vacationing with his family in the Bahamas, his parents, Kelly Preston and John Travolta, have grieved in private. But in October, Preston, 46, will be speaking publicly for the first time about her loss at the California Governor's Conference for Women, the event's host Maria Shriver tells PEOPLE.

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Good Deeds

Kelly Preston Films PSA to Promote Healthy Food for Kids

Originally posted 06/12/2009 11:20AM

Kelly Preston has been slowly starting the process of healing after the devastating loss of her 16-year-old son Jett earlier this year. But the actress decided to participate in a new campaign aimed at helping kids lead healthier lives.

People.com has a first look at Preston's PSA in support of an enhanced Child Nutrition Act, which would mandate healthier food in federally funded school lunch programs.

"She saw past her family sorrow and agreed to help all kids," says Bonnie Abaunza, VP of social action at Participant Media, which produced the PSA.

In the 60-second spot, she calls for hormone free milk and pesticide free fruits and veggies, and urges the public to support the Nutrition Act. The actress, who got involved at the request of her pal Anne Archer, ad-libbed the last line: "Is it just me or does it seem crazy that we have to demand these things?"

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John Travolta and Kelly Preston: How They're Coping

Originally posted 04/08/2009 01:55PM

A few days ago, John Travolta and Kelly Preston threw a birthday party for their daughter Ella Bleu, who turned 9 on April 3, "just as they would any other year," says a close friend of the family.

And yet this year has been marked by deep tragedy for John, 55, and Kelly, 46, who are still reeling from the sudden loss of their only son Jett on Jan. 2 in the Bahamas. Since his death from a seizure disorder, the family has remained out of the spotlight, even keeping a low profile in their adopted hometown of Ocala, Fla.

"John is a strong man, but we want to leave him in peace," Olivia Newton-John, a longtime pal, tells PEOPLE in its new cover story. "To lose a loved one – it's the worst time in anyone's life."

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Credit: Travolta family/Rogers & Cowan /Landov

Travoltas Thank Florida Community for Support

Originally posted 01/12/2009 01:25PM

Ten days after the death of Jett Travolta, the 16-year-old son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, the family sent a warm thank you to its adopted home of Ocala, Fla.

Through family attorney Michael McDermott, Travolta, Preston and daughter Ella Bleu sent a letter addressed to "The People of Ocala" published in the Ocala Star-Banner, thanking the community for their support through what they call an "impossibly painful situation."

"The enormous amount of love, support and condolence we have received from this community has been most humbling. Comforting words, thoughts and prayers of Ocala's citizens have made an impossibly painful situation, a little less painful," reads the letter.

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