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John Travolta

Actor shows comedic side in 'Hogs,' 'Hairspray'

By TERENCE KEEGAN

Travolta

� Judd Apatow
� Seth Rogen
� Michael Cera
� Jonah Hill

� Tim Allen
� Rowan Atkinson
� Kevin James
� Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
� Adam Sandler
� John Travolta
� John C. Reilly

� Jason Reitman & Diablo Cody
� The Hot Fuzz Guys
� Walt Becker
� Tyler Perry

� Brad Bird
� The Simpsons troika
� Jerry Seinfeld

� Jim Gaffigan
� Demetri Martin
� Katt Williams
� Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan

� The Lonely Island Guys
� Perez Hilton
� Funnyordie.com

� Bill Engvall
� Jenna Fischer
� Tina Fey
� Bryan Fuller
� Flight of the Conchords
� Tracy Morgan
� Steven Koonin
� Chuck Lorre
� Neil Patrick Harris
� Ricky Gervais
� Jaime Pressly
� Conan O'Brien
� Jon Stewart
� Amy Poehler
� Sarah Silverman

Fourteen years removed from his last "Look Who's Talking" gig, Travolta returned to laughs in March with Disney's "Wild Hogs," a midlife buddy comedy that surprised cast and crix alike with a $39.7 million opening weekend -- the actor's biggest ever. "Hogs" never let up on its pace, riding on to $253 million worldwide in box office receipts and $35 million in DVD revenue since its chart-topping August release.

Then came New Line's uplifting remake of the satire film/musical "Hairspray," for which Travolta looked to eschew drag-queen camp for his turn in a fat suit as zaftig Balto laundress mom Edna Turnblad. With its $27.5 million opening weekend -- the largest ever for a movie musical -- "Hairspray" has gone on to earn $187.1 million in theaters worldwide.

Travolta currently is filming the comedy "Old Dogs" with "Hogs" helmer Walt Becker and co-star Robin Williams -- playing buddies who have their hands full with twin kids.

Point of view

"Part of the success of 'Hogs' was due to the fact that the audience was seeing an iconic figure that had played more serious parts recently hold his own against other great comedy talents," says helmer Walt Becker.