Ellen Travolta (born October 6, 1940 in Englewood, New Jersey) is an American actress, the eldest sibling of John Travolta. She is probably best remembered for her portrayal of Louisa Arcola Delvecchio, the mother of Chachi Arcola (Scott Baio) in the 1950s-based sitcom Happy Days, and its unsuccessful spinoff, Joanie Loves Chachi, although she has had guest roles on many series.
Her acting debut was in the 1976 episode "You Can't Annul My Baby", of Medical Center. Soon after, she appeared as a secretary in "The Unemployment Story: Part 2" (1976) of All in the Family. This led to a small part as a photographer in the telefilm Cover Girls (1977), and two appearances on Visions (1976, 1977).
Her first truly notable role came playing Mrs. Horshack-O'Hara in three episodes of Welcome Back, Kotter. Her brother, John Travolta, portrayed Vinnie Barbarino in the series. Later in the 1970s, she played Dorothy Manucci in the short-lived series Makin' It.
Ellen appeared in three episodes of Happy Days as Louisa Arcola Delvecchio, before the character became a regular on spin-off series Joanie Loves Chachi. Two later cross-over episodes of Happy Days included her character.
Again playing the mother character to actor Scott Baio, she portrayed Charles' mother Lillian on Charles in Charge from (1987-1990). Throughout the next decade, Travolta appeared in a number of memorable roles including as a mover in the movie Human Experiments (1980), Mrs. Marconi in an episode of Three's Company (1980), Rita Sugarman in an episode of Number 96 (1980), Mrs. Marguiles in an episode of Quincy (1982), Marion in the telefilm Circle of Violence: A Family Drama (1986), and Mona in an episode of Murder, She Wrote (1989). She also had a bit part as a cafeteria lady in her brother John's huge movie hit Grease (1978).
She has had two roles on soap operas. From 1994 to 1996, Ellen portrayed Gloria Cerullo on General Hospital. She guest-starred in the first season of Passions as Alice. Other roles through the 1990s were as Mrs. Cordova on two episodes of The Single Guy (1997), Dara's mother on an episode of The Pretender (1997), Dr. Vogul in the movie Mel (1998), and Agnes in The Basket (1999).
Most recently, she's played Rose in Detour (1999), Joanne in Face to Face (2001), and a gossipy woman in Waitin' to Live (2002).
She is married to actor Jack Bannon, and they live in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Unlike her Scientologist brother, Ellen has remained a devout Catholic.
Daughter of Salvatore Travolta, a retired salesman and Helen Travolta
Sister of John Travolta, Joey Travolta, Sam Travolta, Margaret Travolta and Ann Travolta.
Daughter of Helen Travolta
She has played Scott Baio's mother in the sitcoms "Happy Days" (1974), "Joanie Loves Chachi" (1982), and "Charles in Charge" (1984), and appeared with him in the film Face to Face (2001).
Attended Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, NJ.
Has a daughter with her ex-husband, Craig Respol.
Daughter-in-law of Jim Bannon (I) and Bea Benaderet.
Her daughter works for a radio station in Spokane, Washington.
