Kelly Preston, who enjoyed a successful career in a variety of movies, has died. She was 57.
Preston was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith on October 13, 1962, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and studied acting at the University of Southern California. She launched her career in 1985 with her first major movie role in Mischief after several minor roles in television shows, including For Love and Honour.
Best known for movies such as Jerry Maguire, For Love Of The Game, Sky High, Nothing To Lose, SpaceCamp, and Twins. She brought a sense of comedy timing and real grace to her performances.
Working on 1987's The Experts, she met fellow actor John Travolta, and the two married in 1991. Travolta paid tribute to his wife on Instagram.
Preston is survived by Travolta, and their children, daughter Ella, 20, and 9-year-old son Benjamin. Elder son Jett died at the age of 16 in 2009.
"Choosing to keep her fight private, she had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends," a family representative told People. "She was a bright, beautiful and loving soul who cared deeply about others and who brought life to everything she touched. Her family asks for your understanding of their need for privacy at this time."