John Travolta Joins American Crime Story—Find Out Who He's Playing!

FX's new series also stars Cuba Gooding Jr. and Sarah Paulson

By Chris Harnick Jan 07, 2015 6:53 PMTags
John Travolta, Robert ShapiroGetty images

John Travolta is heading back to TV in a splashy new role. The Grease star will headline American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson as Robert Shapiro. Travolta joins the already cast Sarah Paulson, Cuba Gooding Jr. and David Schwimmer.

Travolta will portray O.J. Simpson's defense attorney from the infamous 1990s trial, Paulson is playing prosecutor Marcia Clark, Gooding is O.J. Simpson and Schwimmer is taking on the role of Robert Kardashian.

Production on the new series from Ryan MurphyBrad FalchukNina JacobsonBrad SimpsonScott AlexanderLarry Karaszewski and Dante Di Loreto is set to start early this year. American Horror Story guru Murphy will direct with a script from Alexander and Karaszewski. The first season of American Crime Story is based on Jeffrey Toobin's book The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson and follows the events of the trial from the prospective of the attorneys.

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This is Travolta's first regular TV gig since Welcome Back, Kotter. His other TV credits include Kirstie and Emergency! He can next be seen in The Forger on the big screen opposite Christopher Plummer and Tye Sheridan. Additionally, he completed production of Criminal Activities, a crime thriller with Michael Pitt.

Travolta will also serve as a producer of the 10-episode series.