John Travolta Turns Santa for Capital One in Nostalgic New Holiday Ad

John Travolta is bringing holiday cheer with a familiar twist. The actor suits up as Santa Claus in a new Capital One commercial that reimagines “Greased Lightnin’” from the 1978 film “Grease,” a role that helped define his early career. The ad debuted during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Travolta’s performance blends Christmas imagery with the high-energy swagger of Danny Zuko. It delivers a festive moment built on nostalgia and star power, and the result quickly caught viewers’ attention when it aired Thanksgiving morning.

A “Greased Lightnin’” Makeover for Santa

The commercial places Travolta’s Santa inside a garage that looks more like a 1950s auto shop than the North Pole workshop often pictured in holiday films. As he examines a glossy red sleigh, he riffs on the song’s signature rhythm. Travolta calls the sleigh “frost-o-matic” and “tinsel-matic” while holding a Capital One card, People magazine reported.

The scene then shifts into a full musical number. Travolta dances alongside elves and even a reindeer wearing sunglasses, recreating choreography that mirrors his moves from “Grease.” Entertainment Weekly reported that the sleigh blasts off into the sky by the end of the sequence as Santa shouts Capital One’s familiar tagline: “What’s in your wallet?”

Travolta wears a jacket labeled “S. Claus” on the back, a nod to his T-Birds wardrobe from the original film. The commercial ends on the same upbeat tone it started with, pairing classic movie references with holiday charm.

Fans Respond With Praise

Viewers reacted quickly after the ad aired. Social media users praised Travolta’s energy, with some calling him their new favorite Santa. Entertainment Weekly noted that fans highlighted how naturally he fit into the role, even while remixing one of his most recognizable musical numbers.

People magazine reported that Travolta has previously portrayed Santa in Capital One holiday spots. The actor re-created moments that referenced “Pulp Fiction” and “Saturday Night Fever” in earlier campaigns. This year’s version leans even harder into nostalgia, drawing from one of his most iconic performances.

Holiday Marketing With a Twist

Holiday commercials often play on emotion, humor, or tradition. By tapping Travolta and revisiting “Greased Lightnin’,” Capital One pulls all three together. The ad creates a sense of fun while reminding viewers of a film many still love nearly five decades later.

Travolta’s Santa arrives with rhythm, a shiny red sleigh, and the confidence of a seasoned performer. He proves he can still command the screen and deliver a burst of energy at the start of the holiday season. As far as commercial Santas go, this one is hard to top.

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