Kelly Preston

Kelly Preston (born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith) was an actress and model best known for her roles in films including Twins, Jerry Maguire and For Love of the Game. Preston spent part of her childhood in Iraq and Australia because of her stepfather’s work before returning to the United States. She attended Punahou School in Honolulu and later studied drama and theater at the University of Southern California before leaving college to pursue acting.

Preston began her career in the early 1980s with guest television appearances in shows including Hawaii Five-O and Capitol before landing film roles in Mischief (1985) and Secret Admirer (1985). In 1988, she broke through with Twins, starring opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. She went on to star in a string of films spanning comedy, drama and romance, including Citizen Ruth (1996), Jerry Maguire (1996), For Love of the Game (1999), The Cat in the Hat (2003), Sky High (2005), Casino Jack (2010) and Gotti (2018).

Preston was briefly married to actor Kevin Gage from 1985 to 1987 and was later engaged to Charlie Sheen, though they ended their relationship before marrying. She married John Travolta in September 1991, and they remained together until her death. The couple welcomed three children: Jett Travolta (1992–2009), Ella Bleu Travolta (born in 2000) and Benjamin Travolta (born in 2010).

Preston died on July 12, 2020, at age 57 following a private two-year battle with breast cancer.