Who Was Kelly Preston?
Kelly Preston, born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith on October 13, 1962, in Honolulu, Hawaii, was an American actress and model whose career spanned nearly four decades. She gained fame through roles in films like Twins, Jerry Maguire, and For Love of the Game, and was married to actor John Travolta from 1991 until her death in 2020. Her life was marked by both professional success and personal tragedy, including the loss of her son Jett in 2009 and her own private battle with breast cancer.
Preston spent parts of her childhood in Iraq and Australia before returning to the United States. She attended Punahou School in Honolulu and later studied drama at the University of Southern California, leaving to pursue acting full-time. She began with television roles in the early 1980s, including the soap opera Capitol, before moving into film.
Her early film appearances included 10 to Midnight (1983) and Mischief (1985). The breakthrough came in 1988 when she starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito in the comedy Twins. That role put her on Hollywood’s radar and led to opportunities in bigger projects throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Kelly Preston at a Glance
Key Insights
- American actress best known for Twins, Jerry Maguire, and For Your Consideration.
- She died at age 57 after a private two‑year battle with breast cancer.
- Her husband, John Travolta, announced her death via Instagram, sparking an outpouring of tributes.
- Preston was a practicing Scientologist and married Travolta in a Scientology ceremony.
- She had three children: son Jett (1992‑2009), daughter Ella Bleu (b. 2000), and son Benjamin (b. 2010).
- Her net worth at death was estimated between $3 and $5 million.
Key Facts About Kelly Preston
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actress, Model |
| Years Active | 1983–2020 |
| Notable Films | Twins (1988), Jerry Maguire (1996), For Your Consideration (2006) |
| Cause of Death | Breast cancer (diagnosed ~2018) |
| Children | Ella Bleu, Benjamin; Jett (deceased 2009) |
| Religion | Church of Scientology |
| Estimated Net Worth | $3–5 million (combined with spouse) |
How Did Kelly Preston Die?
Kelly Preston died on July 12, 2020, at her home in Ocala, Florida, at the age of 57. The cause of death was breast cancer, which she had been battling privately for about two years, according to multiple sources. Her husband, John Travolta, made the announcement public through an Instagram post, describing her fight as a courageous two‑year struggle.
Official reports from family‑focused outlets, such as People magazine, confirm that she died after a private battle with breast cancer. No other health issues have been publicly linked to her death.
Preston kept her diagnosis and treatment entirely out of the public eye. The first public acknowledgment came in Travolta’s statement after her death. This privacy meant that even close industry friends were unaware of the severity of her illness.
When Did She Die and How Long Was She Ill?
According to John Travolta’s Instagram post, Preston was diagnosed around 2018 and died in July 2020. The exact date of diagnosis remains private, but her family described the battle as a two‑year fight. There is no public record of any other major health conditions she faced.
Who Was Kelly Preston’s Husband and Family?
Kelly Preston married John Travolta in September 1991 in a ceremony that followed the practices of the Church of Scientology. The couple remained together until her death, and Travolta was present at her bedside. They had three children: Jett (born 1992), Ella Bleu (born 2000), and Benjamin (born 2010).
The family suffered a devastating loss in 2009 when their 16‑year‑old son Jett died from a seizure while on vacation in the Bahamas. The tragedy drew widespread sympathy and marked a turning point in the family’s public life. Preston and Travolta later spoke about how they coped with grief.
What Did John Travolta Say About Her Death?
In his Instagram post, John Travolta wrote: “My beautiful wife Kelly lost her two‑year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.” He also thanked the medical team and asked for privacy for the family. Travolta remained with her until the end, according to family sources.
Despite the pressures of Hollywood and personal tragedies, Travolta and Preston were consistently described as a devoted couple. Their marriage lasted nearly 30 years, until her death.
What Were Kelly Preston’s Most Famous Movies and Roles?
Kelly Preston’s filmography includes more than 60 films and television shows. She first gained wide recognition opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Twins (1988). In 1996 she appeared in Jerry Maguire as Avery Bishop, the fiancée of Tom Cruise’s character. A year later she starred in For Love of the Game (1999) alongside Kevin Costner.
Her later work included From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), The Cat in the Hat (2003), What a Girl Wants (2003), Sky High (2005), and The Last Song (2010). She also appeared in television series such as Capitol and made guest appearances throughout the 1980s.
Her final released film was The Poison Rose (2019), and she completed Off the Rails before her death, which was released in 2021.
Notable Television and Film Appearances
- 10 to Midnight (1983) – film debut
- Twins (1988) – breakthrough role
- Jerry Maguire (1996) – supporting role
- For Love of the Game (1999) – lead role opposite Kevin Costner
- Sky High (2005) – family comedy
- The Last Song (2010) – drama with Miley Cyrus
What Were the Key Events in Kelly Preston’s Life?
- – Born in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- – Film debut in 10 to Midnight.
- – Breakthrough role in Twins.
- – Marries John Travolta.
- – Birth of son Jett.
- – Stars in Jerry Maguire.
- – Birth of daughter Ella Bleu.
- – Son Jett dies from a seizure at age 16.
- – Birth of son Benjamin.
- – Diagnosed with breast cancer; kept private.
- – Dies at home in Ocala, Florida, age 57.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Kelly Preston?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Cause of death confirmed as breast cancer by John Travolta’s public statement. | Exact diagnosis date and specific treatment details were never disclosed. |
| She battled cancer privately for about two years. | No public record of a foundation established in her name. |
| Her net worth is estimated between $3 and $5 million. | The exact net worth figure is an estimate; no official financial disclosure exists. |
| She was a member of the Church of Scientology. | The depth of her involvement and any church‑related roles remain private. |
What Is Kelly Preston’s Legacy?
Kelly Preston’s career spanned nearly four decades, from 1980s comedies to dramatic roles. Her marriage to John Travolta made her a fixture in Hollywood, but she often maintained a low profile. Her death brought renewed attention to breast cancer awareness, and the couple’s loss of their son Jett in 2009 added a layer of tragedy that resonated with many.
Preston is remembered as a private family woman and a versatile actress. Her daughter Ella Bleu Travolta has pursued acting and music, carrying forward the family’s presence in the entertainment industry. There is no known foundation in Preston’s name, but her legacy endures through her film work and the tributes from fans and peers.
What Did John Travolta and Others Say About Her Death?
“My beautiful wife Kelly lost her two‑year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.”
— John Travolta, Instagram (July 12, 2020)
In addition to Travolta’s public statement, coverage from ABC News, BBC News, and TV Guide reported on her death and highlighted the family’s request for privacy. Us Weekly also noted that Travolta stayed with her until the end. Her IMDb biography summarizes her career and confirms the cause of death.
The outpouring on social media from celebrities and fans emphasized her warmth and talent, though no major public memorial services were held due to the family’s preference for privacy.
What Is the Most Important Thing to Remember About Kelly Preston?
Kelly Preston was a dedicated actress, a loving wife and mother, and a person who faced enormous personal challenges with grace. Her battle with breast cancer, kept entirely private until the end, underscores her desire to protect her family from public scrutiny. She is best remembered for her roles in beloved films and for the strength she showed throughout her life. Tom Berenger – Movies, Net Worth, Spouse & More may also be of interest to readers exploring actors from the same era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Kelly Preston have a funeral?
Kelly Preston’s funeral was private, held in a small family ceremony. Details were not publicly disclosed.
What was Kelly Preston’s relationship with Scientology?
She was a member of the Church of Scientology and met John Travolta through the church. They married in a Scientology ceremony.
How many movies did Kelly Preston star in?
She appeared in over 60 films and television shows throughout her career.
Did Kelly Preston win any awards?
She did not win major industry awards but was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for The Cat in the Hat (2003). She received positive reviews for her comedic and dramatic work.
What was Kelly Preston’s last movie?
Her final released film was The Poison Rose (2019), and she completed work on Off the Rails before her death (released 2021).
Was Kelly Preston related to any other actors?
She was not known to be directly related to other actors, though her daughter Ella Bleu Travolta has pursued acting.
How old was Kelly Preston when she died?
She was 57 years old at the time of her death.
Did Kelly Preston and John Travolta have a happy marriage?
Public accounts describe their marriage as loving and supportive, lasting nearly 30 years until her death.
What was Kelly Preston’s net worth?
Her net worth at death was estimated between $3 and $5 million, often combined with her spouse’s finances.
Where was Kelly Preston born?
She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on October 13, 1962.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.