Actress Rashida Jones has publicly urged John Travolta to come out of the closet following persistent rumours he is gay.

Rashida was publicising her movie 'Celeste and Jesse Forever' when the conversation turned to her obsession with Frank Ocean who came out as homosexual, earlier this year.

Her writing partner and former boyfriend Will McCormack told website SpinningPlatters.com: "There needs to be, like, a professional athlete that comes out."

Rashida, 36, added: "And a movie star! It's time...Like John Travolta? Come out! Come on. How many masseurs have to come forward? Let's do this."

The 58-year-old married dad has been at the centre of a sex scandal after a series of masseurs alleged he sexually assaulted them.

There were also rumours that he allegedly had a six-year affair with his male pilot.

Now Rashida says the actor should follow in the footsteps of newsman Anderson Cooper and Frank Ocean and "come out."

After praising them for taking the big step, she said: "But big stars need to come out. Ricky Martin was huge. That was big; I was really happy about that."

John has consistently denied stories that he is gay or has embarked on gay affairs. If he does "come out" Rashida wants him to do it while he is alive rather than have it revealed after his death.

She said: "People are so precious about their careers."