Kelly Preston enjoyed an illustrious career in the entertainment industry having first cut her teeth in acting when she was a teenager in the 80s.
Since her first film role, the American star, who was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith and was married to actor John Travolta has starred in a whole host of major motion pictures from Twins to The Cat in the Hat and Jerry Maguire.
Today, a representative of the Travolta family confirmed she has passed away from a secret two-year cancer battle.
From red carpet appearances to family snaps – Daily Star Online takes a look at the late star’s life in pictures.
A budding star
Kelly Preston appeared in her first film – Mischief – in 1985 (Image: FOX)
After losing out on the role of Emmeline in 1980’s The Blue Lagoon to the younger Brooke Shields, Kelly’s first prominent acting gig came in 1985 – as Marilyn McCauley in romantic comedy teen flick Mischief.
The then-teenager starred alongside Doug McKeon, Chris Nash, Catherine Mary Stewart.
Mischief centres on Jonathan (Doug McKeon), a nerd until a rebellious new kid, greaser and womaniser Gene (Chris Nash), moves in next door and starts teaching him how to land his crush, the popular Marilyn McCauley (Kelly Preston).
Marriage to John Travolta
John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston wed in Paris in 1991 (Image: Getty Images)
The lovebirds met at a screen test for their 1989 comedy, The Experts, while Preston was still married to actor Kevin Gage.
Preston and Travolta exchanged vows on 5 September 1991 at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris.
However, a second ceremony was required because the first, performed by a French Scientology minister, was considered invalid. The second ceremony took place on September 12 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Jerry Maguire
The actress starred alongside Tom Cruise in 1996’s Jerry Maguire (Image: Sony)
One of Preston’s most notable role to date was in 1996’s Jerry Maguire alongside Tom Cruise.
Portraying Avery Bishop, Jerry Maguire’s fiancé, the film propelled Preston into the big time after cashing in at the box office as well as positive response from critics and viewers.
The film was a financial success, bringing in more than $273 million worldwide against its $50 million budget, and was the ninth-highest-grossing film of 1996.
A royal occasion
John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston with Prince Charles at the presentation ceremony after a charity polo match at Cirencester Polo Club (Image: PA)
John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston were pictured alongside HRH The Prince of Wales after a polo match June 28, 2003 at Cirencester Polo Club, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England.
The photo comes years after the actor danced with Prince Charles’ former wife Princess Diana at the White House in 1985.
Travolta previously called his dance with Diana, “one of the highlights of my life.”
The Cat in the Hat
The US star portrayed Joan Walden in The Cat in the Hat alongside Mike Myers (Image: Universal pictures)
The mum-of-three starred in 2003’s The Cat in the Hat alongside Mike Myers, Dakota Fanning and Alec Baldwin.
While the movie was panned by critics for its adult humour, the film grossed $133 million worldwide against its $109 million budget.
Preston starred as Joan Walden (credited as Mom), Conrad and Sally’s single-mother, a workaholic real-estate agent.
The Oscars
The actor was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Hairspray at the 2008 Oscars (Image: PA)
The pair walked the red carpet at the Oscars at the Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles in 2008.
Husband John was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a motion picture for his portrayal of Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s mother and laundry business owner.
He walked away empty-handed with the gong going to Heath Ledger for his role of the Joker in Dark Knight Rises.
Son Jett Travolta’s death
Jett Travolta passed away aged 16 during a family holiday to the Bahamas (Image: Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
Jett Travolta, who had autism, was just 16 when he suffered a seizure and died during a family holiday in the Bahamas over the New Year break in 2009.
Jett, who had a history of seizures from the age of two and was on the autism spectrum, died after hitting his head in the bath.
He was rushed to hospital and declared dead after doctors desperately battled to save him.
Last film before death
The couple promoted his new movie Gotti in 2018 (Image: SplashNews.com)
Preston’s last film prior to her death was Gotti – a 2018 American biographical crime film about New York City mobster John Gotti, played by John Travolta.
During a photocall for the movie, the couple visited Lenny’s Pizza (from the movie Saturday Night Fever) as the pair promoted the new flick.
Preston played Gotti’s wife Victoria – her final film role before her death of breast cancer on July 12, 2020.
Loved up snap
The couple posted a snap of themselves on Instagram earlier this year
The lovebirds uploaded a cute snap on Instagram earlier this year during Kelly’s secret breast cancer battle.
Resting her head on her spouse’s shoulders, she wrote: ” Just hanging out on a Saturday afternoon!”
The image was soon met with an outpouring of love from social media users.
Final Instagram post
(Image: Instagram)
Prior to her untimely death, the American star posted a gushing post about her husband on Father’s Day.
Cosying up for a family picture alongside her two children, Benjamin and Ella Bleu, she wrote: “Happy Father’s Day to the best one I know, we love you.”
And husband John wrote underneath: “I love you all so much.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
