Kevin Bacon

Lore & Background

Kevin Bacon was born and raised in Philadelphia, the youngest of six children. His mother was a teacher and liberal activist; his father was an urban planner. He attended Julia R. Masterman School and, at age 16, won a scholarship to the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts at Bucknell University, where he studied theater. He left home at 17 to pursue acting in New York City, appearing at the Circle in the Square Theater School and later on soap operas Search for Tomorrow and Guiding Light.

Bacon made his feature film debut in National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) but found early success with Diner (1982) and his breakthrough role in Footloose (1984). He later starred in critically acclaimed films such as JFK (1991), A Few Good Men (1992), Apollo 13 (1995), Mystic River (2003), and Frost/Nixon (2008). He also directed the films Losing Chase (1996) and Loverboy (2005). On television, he won a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for Taking Chance (2009) and starred in series including The Following, I Love Dick, and City on a Hill.

Bacon's career includes a variety of genres, from horror (Friday the 13th) to comedy (Tremors) to drama (The Woodsman). He has been a brand ambassador for British mobile network operator EE. He is married to actress Kyra Sedgwick.

Reader's Guide

Kevin Bacon's significance lies in his enduring versatility across film, television, and theater, as well as his cultural impact through the 'Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon' phenomenon. His career demonstrates a shift from leading man to character actor, allowing him to work with top directors on major projects. Bacon's roles in landmark films like Footloose, JFK, and Apollo 13 have cemented his place in American cinema. His television work, including an award-winning performance in Taking Chance, further showcases his range. The trivia game named after him highlights the interconnectedness of Hollywood and has become a lasting part of popular culture. Bacon's legacy is that of a dedicated actor who successfully navigated changing industry trends while maintaining a consistent presence in both mainstream and independent projects.

Did You Know?

• Bacon made his feature film debut in National Lampoon's Animal House (1978).
• He won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his role in the HBO film Taking Chance (2009).
• Bacon received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
• He is married to actress Kyra Sedgwick.