John Travolta Says Some of the Best Advice He Received After Wife Kelly Preston’s Passing From Cancer Was From His 10-Year-Old Son Benjamin: ‘It’s About Viewpoint in Life’

The actors filmed their discussion for Hart's new laid-back talk show Hart to Heart, which streams on Peacock and features unscripted hour-long conversations between Hart and entertainers and public figures. The show's warm relaxed setting and one-on-one format allow Hart to ask deep questions and probe the way these performers think.

One of the interview's most poignant moments focused on the wisdom Travolta received from Benjamin in the year since his wife's death from breast cancer. When Travolta admitted that he has anxiety about aging and about entering the final stages of his life, Benjamin responded, "Doesn't 30 years seem like a long time ago? Don't you think you have 30 more years in your life to live? What's wrong with that?"

Benjamin's simple reasoning reminded his father how important perspective is. "I realized that it's about viewpoint in life," he said. "That's what allows you to settle down about something." Travolta's affability and enthusiasm prove the power of this kind of optimistic outlook even in the face of profound loss.

Hart reflected on values instilled in him by his late mother, who died of ovarian cancer. He also praised Travolta's perseverance.

"You sit across from me…an example of real strength. A man that has overcome and withstood the test of time and everything that time can throw at you," he said.

Olivia Newton-John on Kelly Preston’s passing

Managing Grief

Travolta has been open about his journey with grief since he lost his wife in July 2020 after a two year battle with breast cancer. In an interview with Esquire Spain, Travolta talked about how important it is to carve out personal space for yourself while mourning: "The first thing that you should do when you experience grief is to go to a place where you can mourn, without any interference. The mourning is individual and to experience your own journey is what can lead you to heal.”

In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Marianna Strongin emphasized that grief can manifest very differently for different people dealing with cancer. She listed the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance) as “tools to help us frame and identify what you may be feeling.” Though these stages can be helpful markers to help us understand the grieving process, “They are not linear and can occur in a variety of ways,” Dr. Strongin said.

Dr. Strongin encourages people coping with grief to approach their feelings with compassion and kindness, but to remember, “The emotions you are feeling are meaningful yet temporary.” It is important to take your mourning process seriously, but also to remember that you will make it through. Dr. Strongin endorses Dr. Tara Brach’s acronym RAIN–“RECOGNIZE and pause to notice; ALLOW, or accept your current experience; INVESTIGATE, by pinpointing what is happening in your mind and body; then NURTURE, by bringing compassion to yourself.”

Doug Wendt, who acted as a caregiver when his wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, shares some advice for others in a similar situation.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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