John Travolta Impersonator Lives Local

They say everyone has a double somewhere in the world. It just so happens that John Travolta's look alike lives right in Ronkonkoma.

For the last 17 years, Phil Francavella has made a living as the best John Travolta look alike around. It all started when Phil was 12 years old.

"Welcome Back Kotter" was the big television show and his family started saying how much he looked like Travolta's character Vinny Barbarino. After "Saturday Night Fever" came out, people really started to notice the similarity's. But Francavella became a letter carrier and stayed for 20 years.

In 1994, when "Pulp Fiction" came out, impersonating John Travolta became a full time job. Francavella has gigs practically every weekend that take him to almost every state and to far away countries as well. Monaco and Finland were recent destinations. He collects shot glasses for each state he visits. About 12 years ago, Travolta was in New York to appear on "The David Letterman Show."

Francavella knew about this and went to meet his look alike. When Travolta got out of the limo, Francavella was there to greet him in his white suit. They looked at each other, embraced and Travaolta said Francavella was his alter ego. It must have been like looking into a mirror.

Francavella was brought up in Bensonhurst where, ironically, "Saturday Night Fever" was filmed. Travolta grew up in Englewood, N.J. He had to come to Brooklyn to learn how to walk, talk and speak Brooklynese  from guys like Francavella.

When Francavella does his gigs, it's very simple for him. He tells people, "It's me imitating him imitating me." Each year, Francavella does many charity events, especially if children are involved. For children's causes, he does not charge for his services other than travel expenses if it is out of the area. Any other charity, the charge would usually be half price.

Another venture that has been very successful for Francavella and his wife is Devil Dog Entertainment, a full-service entertainment company that caters to people looking for high-end entertainment at low end prices.

Services include Disco and "Grease" totally interactive themed parties with "John Travolta" as the host. DJ's, various dance floors, video screens and lights are just a few of the amenity'savailable. Other impersonators can also be brought in. From being in the business for many years, Francavella knows them all.

If you need an Elvis, you can get top of the line to the bottom of the line! Marylyn Monroe, Robert DeNiro, Tom Cruise. The Sopranos... impersonators for almost anyone famous. He hopes this company will continue to thrive and gain momentum, just as his John Travolta has.

Long range plans for Francavella are to go as far as he can as John Travolta in "Grease" as long as he can stay fit and look relatively young. He also wants to grow into the characters of Tony Manero and Danny Zucco as they would look today. This would be for the fans who are getting older now.

Francavella and his wife have been married for 23 years. They've lived in Ronkonkoma for 17 years and she never gets jealous. Leisure time for the Francavilla's includes vacationing, fishing, camping. Phil really enjoys working out at the gym as he tries to keep in shape for his shows. Gardening is also a favorite pastime.

To contact Francavella or Devil Dog Entertainment at JohnTravolta@optonline.com or 631-467-3834. Check out his website also.