By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-23 20:57:43 | Updated at 2026-06-23 23:16:56
2 hours ago
Ten-year-old actor Clark Shotwell had one problem after landing the lead role in John Travolta's latest film – he had no idea who John Travolta was.
The young actor, who plays a child version of the Hollywood star in new Apple TV movie Propeller One Way Night Coach, admits he had never heard of the Grease star when he first auditioned for the role.
Now, after spending more than a year working alongside Travolta, Clark says he not only understands the actor's legendary status, but also considers him a mentor and a friend.
'When I auditioned for the role, I thought it was just going to be for a college film,' the young actor told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview.
'I think my mom tried to play it down and when she told me John was directing the project, I truthfully had no idea who John Travolta was.'
After a few auditions and months of waiting, Clark eventually learned he landed the coveted part. That's when his mother, Jenny Shotwell, explained exactly who Travolta was and why the opportunity was so special.
Clark Shotwell, 10, revealed he had never heard of John Travolta before being cast as a young version of the actor in new adventure film Propeller One Way Night Coach
The rising star spent more than a year working alongside Travolta after landing his debut film role as Jeff
To bring him up to speed, Jenny, a singer and performer in her own right, introduced him to the movie Grease, parts of Saturday Night Fever and old episodes of 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter.
But it wasn't until she compared him to Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe that the boy finally realized what a big deal he was, and what a rare experience this was going to be.
Twenty-nine years ago, Travolta wrote a semi-autobiographical novella about his love of flying. And he hoped that someday he might make the book into a film.
Now, at age 72, his dream has come true and his new flick, starring young Shotwell, is streaming on Apple TV.
'The film is a reflection of my childhood,' Travolta said recently. 'I originally wrote the novella for my family because I wanted to put my memories down in a story.
Travolta's 86-year-old sister Ellen Travolta, an actress who starred in TV hits such as Happy Days and Charles in Charge was the one who encouraged her sibling to make the film.
The young actor, pictured in the director's chair while filming at the TWA hotel, said he developed a close mentee/mentor bond with Travolta during the project
Clark shared photos with the Daily Mail of his time on set with Travolta and the rest of the cast. He is pictured on the last day of filming
'That first round-trip ticket I paid for was $25 from Newark to Philadelphia,' Ellen told Kelly Clarkson in a recent TV appearance.
'It was just a 20-minute ride each way with a hot dog in between, but it meant a lot to Johnny since I think he came out of the womb with a fascination for aviation.'
And while Travolta made sure to include his family when it came to handing out roles, it was Ellen who initially suggested Clark for the part.
'We had known Ellen for many years,' Clark's mother Jenny told the Daily Mail.
'We all live in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. We are a musical family, and all of us have appeared in Ellen's yearly Christmas Cabaret.
'So, when John announced he was moving forward with the film, she suggested he take a look at Clark.
Set in the golden age of aviation, a young airplane enthusiast, Jeff (played by newcomer Clark Shotwell), and his mother (Kelly Eviston-Quinnett) set off on a one-way cross-country odyssey to Hollywood
Clark says Travolta became a mentor during filming and helped guide him through his first starring film role
'And although Clark appeared on stage doing musicals and playing piano before, Propeller One Way Night Coach was our son's first starring role in a film.'
Clark bonded with Travolta and his family from the start.
'John was the best director I could possibly have for my first film,' he said.
'When I would mess up, he would be like, "That's OK, it's just your first movie you know. We will get through this. It happens to everyone".'
Clark was also impressed with John's love of flying.
The youngster from Idaho attended the Cannes Film Festival - where the film premiered - with Travolta and his family in May
'I can't believe he is licensed to fly 13 different kinds of planes,' the boy said. 'When my mom and I flew to Florida to film, we got to go to his house in Ocala.
'He lives in an airplane community, and he actually keeps some of his planes at home.
'Inside the house, he has airplanes everywhere, even hanging from the ceiling.
'I've thought about learning to fly myself,' adds Clark, 'but when you are piloting a plane, you are responsible for so many lives, and I find that a bit scary.'
Clark says that while he's flown with Travolta, he's never been on a plane piloted by the actor.
'During filming we flew on several of John's private planes,' he revealed. 'And when we flew to Cannes for the Film Festival recently, we flew on John's 737.'
Clark's mother Jenny Shotwell says she introduced her young son to some of Travolta's most famous roles after he landed the part. They are pictured together at the Cannes Film Festival after party
The budding child actor even rubbed shoulders with royalty at the Cannes Film Festival, where he met Prince Albert of Monaco
Clark described traveling to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival alongside stars like Demi Moore and Scarlett Johansson, like being 'on the most awesome vacation you could possibly go on.'
'This trip was the first time I have ever been out of the country. And I loved being in Cannes with John and his family,' he added.
'Here I was, seated in a theater with all these people watching my face on the big screen. I even got to meet Prince Albert, the Prince of Monaco, and that was pretty awesome.'
He also admits he didn't know what to expect when he finally sat down and watched the film in the theater.
'I didn't know they were going to do this little animated scene of me and Kelly Eviston-Quinnett, who plays my mom, walking down the red carpet with all that music and stuff.
Clark Shotwell is pictured with his parents, Don and Jenny, and sister Sky ahead of the film's premiere in Los Angeles last month. His mother says watching her son on the big screen was 'totally overwhelming and very cool'
'I had no idea what it was going to look like. When you film, the scenes are shot out of sequence,' he says.
And while Clark admits he liked seeing himself on the big screen, his mom says there are no words to explain what she felt.
'The first time my husband Don and I watched the film, it was tough to pay attention to the movie because it was so surreal seeing our son up there. I don't know if I have the words to explain,' she went on.
'It was totally overwhelming and very cool. Seeing Clark at the beginning of the film as this little animated character was incredible!
'The entire experience has been a slow roll of emotions and a lot of fun,' she said.
'And if Clark decides he'd like to continue acting, my husband and I will do the best we can to guide and support him,' adding that she feels John and his family will continue to be there for Clark too!
