In midst of scandal, Travolta is all smiles at ‘Savages’ premiere

If John Travolta was worried about facing the public after coming up against a handful of recent sexual harassment accusations, he wasn’t showing it at Monday’s premiere of the new Oliver Stone film “Savages.”

This spring Travolta was sued separately by three male masseurs who claimed the actor made sexual advances toward them -- though two of the lawsuits have since been dropped. Travolta, through his lawyer, Marty Singer, has denied all the allegations.

Still, the actor seemed cautious about approaching the media after the news broke. His first appearance came earlier this month, when he was on hand to help fete Shirley MacLaine at an American Film Institute event. But he only walked out on stage during the dinner, skipped the red carpet and opted not to sit in the audience.

PHOTOS: “Savages” premiere in Los Angeles

The “Savages” premiere on Monday came just hours after cruise ship steward Fabian Zanzi filed a lawsuit against Travolta in which the former Royal Caribbean employee said the actor exposed his genitals and then forced the worker into an embrace. Despite the day’s news, the actor freely mingled at an after-party for the movie held at Westwood’s Hammer museum.

He looked downright jovial while posing for photos with fans. He spent a while chatting with Stone. And earlier in the evening, he kissed his wife, actress Kelly Preston, during a photo op on the red carpet. He continued to be openly affectionate with her at the party, as she flanked him throughout the course of the evening.

In “Savages,” Travolta plays a corrupt Drug Enforcement Administration agent stuck between two young American marijuana growers and a Mexican drug cartel. While Travolta doesn’t have the lead role, it’s still a sizable part and his first since 2010’s “From Paris With Love,” which flopped at the box office with only $24 million domestically.

Despite the tabloid firestorm, a Universal spokeswoman said Travolta had not altered his media obligations, which included sitting for a press junket with domestic and international outlets last weekend. The majority of the interviews recorded at the junket will likely be released closer to July 6, when “Savages” hits theaters.

Beyond the masseur scandal, Travola has had a slew of ups and downs in his personal life during the last few years. In 2009, his 16-year-old son, Jett, passed away suddenly while the family was on vacation in the Bahamas. A year later, at age 48, Preston gave birth to another son with Travolta, named Benjamin.

Post-”Savages,” the actor will be next be seen in 2013’s “The Killing Season,” in which he plays a Bosnian solider opposite Robert De Niro.

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