Kevin Bacon

Kevin Norwood Bacon, born on July 8, 1958, is an acclaimed American actor known for his versatility and memorable performances across various genres. His career spans several decades, during which he has received numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Bacon made his mark in Hollywood with his feature film debut in "National Lampoon's Animal House" in 1978. However, it was his breakthrough role in the musical-drama "Footloose" (1984) that catapulted him to stardom. Since then, he has delivered stellar performances in a wide range of critically acclaimed films such as "Diner" (1982), "JFK" (1991), "Apollo 13" (1995), "Mystic River" (2003), and "Frost/Nixon" (2008). He has also ventured into directing with films like "Losing Chase" (1996) and "Loverboy" (2005).


Bacon's talent extends beyond the silver screen to television, where he has earned praise for his roles in projects like the HBO film "Taking Chance" (2009), for which he received a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He starred in the Fox drama series "The Following" from 2013 to 2015 and headlined the Amazon Prime Video series "I Love Dick" from 2016 to 2017, earning a Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance.
Despite his impressive body of work, Bacon has never received an Academy Award nomination, leading The Guardian to dub him as one of the best actors never to be nominated for an Oscar. However, his contributions to the entertainment industry have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, awarded in 2003.


Bacon's impact on popular culture goes beyond his acting achievements. He is famously associated with the concept of interconnectedness through the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" trivia game, which highlights his extensive connections to other actors in the industry. Additionally, Bacon serves as a brand ambassador for British mobile network operator EE, appearing in numerous advertisements for the company.
In his personal life, Bacon is married to fellow actress Kyra Sedgwick, with whom he shares a family. His legacy as an actor and cultural icon continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.


Kevin Bacon was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, within a tight-knit family. He is the youngest of six siblings. His mother, Ruth Hilda Bacon (née Holmes), who passed away in 1991, was an elementary school teacher and an advocate for liberal causes. His father, Edmund Bacon, who passed away in 2005, was a prominent urban planner and served as the executive director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Edmund Bacon was also known for his influential work, including his book "Design of Cities."
During his formative years, Bacon attended the Julia R. Masterman School located in the Spring Garden neighborhood of Philadelphia, where he completed both middle and high school education.


Bacon's journey into the world of performing arts began at the age of 16 when he was awarded a full state-funded scholarship to the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts, held at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. This prestigious five-week program provided Bacon with the opportunity to immerse himself in theater studies under the guidance of acclaimed theater instructor Glory Van Scott. It was during this period that Bacon's passion for the arts was solidified, setting him on the path to pursue a career in acting.
Bacon's early exposure to education and the arts laid the foundation for his future success in the entertainment industry, where he would go on to establish himself as a versatile and accomplished actor.


After leaving home at the age of 17 to pursue a career in theater in New York City, Kevin Bacon's early experiences were a mix of highs and lows. Despite his initial struggles, Bacon remained determined to carve out a successful acting career.
His debut in the fraternity comedy "National Lampoon's Animal House" in 1978 did not catapult him to stardom as he had hoped. Bacon found himself back to waiting tables and auditioning for small theater roles in New York City. He briefly appeared on television soap operas like "Search for Tomorrow" (1979) and "Guiding Light" (1980–81) while continuing to pursue his passion for acting.


In the 1980s, Bacon began to gain recognition for his work both on stage and on screen. He appeared in the slasher film "Friday the 13th" (1980) and showcased his talent in stage productions like "Getting Out" at New York's Phoenix Theater and "Flux" at Second Stage Theatre.
In 1982, Bacon won an Obie Award for his role in "Forty Deuce" and made his Broadway debut in "Slab Boys" alongside then-unknown actors Sean Penn and Val Kilmer. However, it was his performance as Timothy Fenwick in Barry Levinson's film "Diner" that truly launched his career. "Diner" earned Bacon critical acclaim and established him as a rising star in Hollywood.


Following the success of "Diner," Bacon starred in the iconic film "Footloose" (1984), where he portrayed Ren McCormick, a rebellious teenager who challenges a small town's ban on dancing. Bacon's dedication to the role, including enrolling as a transfer student named "Ren McCormick" at a high school to study teenagers, earned him strong reviews. Despite the success of "Footloose," Bacon faced challenges in shaking off the typecasting that followed him from his roles in "Diner" and "Footloose."
Throughout the late 1980s, Bacon continued to diversify his roles, appearing in comedies like John Hughes's "She's Having a Baby" (1988) and "The Big Picture" (1989). Despite encountering career slumps at times, Bacon's talent and versatility as an actor remained evident, setting the stage for his continued success in the decades to come.


In 1990, Kevin Bacon showcased his versatility with two successful roles. In the comedy/horror film "Tremors," he portrayed a character who saves his town from underground "graboid" monsters, earning praise for his performance. Additionally, he starred as an earnest medical student experimenting with death in Joel Schumacher's "Flatliners," further demonstrating his range as an actor.
Bacon's next project was "He Said, She Said," where he starred opposite Elizabeth Perkins. Despite mixed reviews and modest box office returns, Bacon found the experience enlightening, particularly in portraying a character with sexist attitudes, which he admitted wasn't a significant stretch for him.


By 1991, Bacon made a strategic shift in his career, opting to pursue character actor roles rather than leading man roles in big-budget films. This decision was driven by his desire to work with top directors on prestigious projects. He delivered notable performances that year as a gay prostitute in Oliver Stone's "JFK" and as a prosecuting attorney in the military courtroom drama "A Few Good Men." Bacon's versatility was further showcased when he returned to the theater to star in "Spike Heels," directed by Michael Greif.


In 1994, Bacon received a Golden Globe nomination for his role in "The River Wild," where he starred alongside Meryl Streep. The film presented challenges during filming, with Bacon recalling the grueling nature of the shoot. The same year, he earned critical acclaim for his role in "Murder in the First," winning the Broadcast Film Critic's Association Award. Bacon continued to diversify his roles, appearing in blockbuster hits like "Apollo 13" (1995) and taking on darker roles in films like "Sleepers" (1996).


In addition to acting, Bacon made his directorial debut with the television film "Losing Chase" (1996), which received critical acclaim and earned several Golden Globe nominations. He also appeared in films like "Digging to China" and "Telling Lies in America," showcasing his versatility and willingness to take on diverse roles. As an executive producer, Bacon reserved supporting roles for himself in films like "Wild Things" (1998) and "Stir of Echoes" (1999), further solidifying his reputation as a multifaceted talent in Hollywood.

References

1.  "Kyra Sedgwick". geneall.net. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
2. ^ Gary Boyd Roberts. "Ten Further Hollywood Figures (or Groups Thereof)". New England Historic Genealogical Society. Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2008.
3. "Kevin Bacon". Biography.com. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
4. ^ "'City on a Hill' Canceled After Three Seasons on Showtime". The Hollywood Reporter. October 27, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
5. ^ Singer, Leigh (February 19, 2009). "Oscars: the best actors never to have been nominated". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
6. ^ "Hollywood Walk of Fame - Kevin Bacon". walkoffame.com. Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. September 30, 2003. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
7. ^ "EE unveils 'six degrees of Bacon' launch ads". Marketing Week. October 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2023.