At 71, John Travolta is still unmistakably John Travolta—the piercing blue eyes, the easy charisma, the kind of screen presence that never really fades. From Grease and Saturday Night Fever to Pulp Fiction, he’s spent decades as one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars. But behind the fame is a life marked by profound joy—and devastating loss.
In 2009, Travolta suffered every parent’s worst nightmare with the death of his 16-year-old son, Jett. Just over a decade later, tragedy struck again when his wife of 19 years, actress Kelly Preston, passed away in 2020 following a private two-year battle with breast cancer. Since then, Travolta has focused almost entirely on his family, raising their two children, Ella Bleu, now 25, and Benjamin, 14, while keeping his grief and healing largely out of the public eye.
Now, nearly six years after Preston’s death, those closest to the actor say something has shifted. According to insiders, Travolta is finally open to the idea of dating again—and one familiar name keeps coming up: Kim Basinger.
Travolta and Basinger go back decades. They first crossed paths in 1983 at the NATO Theater Awards, reunited as presenters at the 1999 Golden Globes, and later starred together in the 2004 drama A Love Song for Bobby Long. Over the years, their connection has quietly endured. Friends describe their bond as warm, deeply respectful, and rooted in genuine affection.
“John’s always had a soft spot for Kim,” a source told Variety. “There’s real chemistry there. She’s been incredibly supportive, especially since Kelly passed. They just understand each other.”
Those in Travolta’s inner circle say they’ve gently encouraged him to embrace a new chapter. While he remains fiercely loyal to Kelly Preston’s memory, friends believe he’s finally allowing himself to imagine life beyond loss. “Kim brings out a lighter side of him,” the insider added. “He laughs more. He feels alive again.”
Basinger, also 71, knows all too well what it means to rebuild after heartbreak. Her divorce from Alec Baldwin in 2002 played out publicly and painfully, culminating in a bitter custody battle over their daughter, Ireland, now 30. In recent years, however, Basinger has spoken openly about finding peace and mutual respect with Baldwin. “I respect where Alec is today and his family,” she said in a recent interview. “We communicate well.”
She has been in a long-term relationship with celebrity hairstylist Mitch Stone since 2014, and those close to Travolta are quick to emphasize that he would never cross boundaries. “John’s a stand-up guy,” the source said. “If Kim is in a relationship, that’s it. But if she were ever single again, everyone around them believes they’d be a natural match.”
Beyond their shared Hollywood history, Travolta and Basinger have strikingly similar lives. Both have endured major personal losses, both value privacy over publicity, and both prioritize family over fame. Travolta, whose net worth is estimated at $250 million, has limited his public appearances in recent years, though he’s still occasionally spotted at high-profile events, including the Living Legends of Aviation Awards alongside Prince Harry. Basinger, who has been open about her struggle with agoraphobia, prefers the calm and safety of her Los Angeles home.
“Kim is kind, empathetic, and completely uninterested in Hollywood games,” the insider shared. “She understands John in a way very few people do. That kind of connection is rare.”
Whether their relationship ever turns romantic remains to be seen. But for those closest to Travolta, even his openness to the possibility feels like a victory. “He’s been through unimaginable loss,” the source said. “But Kim makes him smile again. It’s been a long time since people have seen that spark in his eyes.”
For now, Travolta is taking things slowly. And while nothing is official, friends—and fans—are quietly hoping that after everything he’s endured, Hollywood’s golden boy might finally find happiness again.
