Travolta Happy To Be Groped On Movie Set
Actor Says He Modeled His "Hairspray" Character After Voluptuous Screen Sirens
4July 18, 2007 | by Judy Faber
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'Hairspray' Premiere
Amid the heavy July rain that has soaked London for the past month, stars of the newest rendition of 'Hairspray' walked the carpet at London's Leicester Square. | Share/Embed
'Hairspray' Premiere (2:16)
Katie Holmes At The Movies (0:51)
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John Travolta led a parade of stars who visited Vegas to promote their summer movie musical.
(CBS) John Travolta wore his padding proudly as 300-pound mom Edna Turnblad in the new movie musical "Hairspray."
"I'm a voluptuous gal," he said on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" Wednesday night. "I based it on these gals I liked growing up, you know like Jayne Mansfield and Anita Ekberg and Sofia Loren."
"I like those big figures," he continued, making the shape of an hour glass with his hands. "I thought if I have to play a woman, I wanna play one like that — but with 300 pounds added."
An amused Letterman asked Travolta how other cast members reacted to him on the set.
"They forgot it was me under there, Dave, for God's sake. They were feeling my breasts and my ass and I was a slut about it. I gave it up."Photos: New York's Mane Event: "Hairspray" Premiere
The audience applauded that comment.
"I did! I didn't care, Dave," he said.
"What about your self esteem?" Letterman asked, laughing.
"Screw it," laughed Travolta.
"You just wanted to be popular," Letterman observed.
"Hairspray" opens on Friday.
By Judy Faber
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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He plays along with them and doesn't sit there making their job more difficult.
He seems to come across as a easy-going, likable guy who doesn't take himself too seriously. He seems to be happy with his life and career. He may be abit of a ham but so what?!
Kinda nice for a change...considering so many that you see interviewed seem to be totally self-absorbed and uninteresting.
Details at Six."