Kevin Bacon Bio
Kevin Norwood Bacon (born July 8, 1958) is an American actor renowned for his versatile roles across different genres. He made his film debut in National Lampoon’s Animal House and gained prominence through performances in Footloose and Mystic River. Bacon has received various accolades including Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards, showcasing his talent in both film and television. Married to actress Kyra Sedgwick since 1988, he is also the subject of the popular trivia game ‘Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,’ highlighting his extensive connections in Hollywood.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Bacon was born and raised in a close-knit family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the youngest of six children. His mother, Ruth Hilda Bacon, was an elementary school teacher and a liberal activist, while his father, Edmund Bacon, was an urban planner who served as executive director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Bacon attended Julia R. Masterman School in Philadelphia for his middle and high school education. At age 16, he won a full state-funded scholarship to the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts at Bucknell University, where he studied theater under Glory Van Scott. This experience solidified his passion for the arts.
Path to Hollywood
Bacon left home at age 17 to pursue a theater career in New York City, where he appeared in a production at the Circle in the Square Theater School. His debut in the fraternity comedy National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) did not lead to immediate fame, and he returned to waiting tables and auditioning for small roles in theater. He briefly worked on the television soap operas Search for Tomorrow and Guiding Light in New York. In 1980, he appeared in the slasher film Friday the 13th, which began to establish his presence in the film industry. His early stage work included performances in Getting Out and Flux, and he won an Obie Award for his role in Forty Deuce. He made his Broadway debut in Slab Boys, alongside Sean Penn and Val Kilmer, before achieving critical acclaim in Barry Levinson’s film Diner.
Kevin Bacon Career
Early Career (1977–1989)
Bacon’s breakthrough role came in the musical-drama film Footloose (1984), which garnered him significant attention and established him as a leading man in Hollywood. Following Footloose, he starred in several successful films including JFK (1991), A Few Good Men (1992), and Apollo 13 (1995). His performance in The River Wild (1994) earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Bacon’s early career was marked by a mix of critical and commercial successes, but he also faced challenges with typecasting in similar roles.
Breakthrough (1990s–2000s)
In the 1990s, Bacon began to transition into more diverse roles, taking on character-driven parts in films like Sleepers (1996) and Mystic River (2003), the latter earning him widespread acclaim. His portrayal of a pedophile on parole in The Woodsman (2004) further showcased his range as an actor. In 2009, he starred in the HBO film Taking Chance, for which he won both a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance.
Notable Works and Milestones
Bacon’s signature works include Footloose, Mystic River, and Apollo 13, which have solidified his status as a versatile actor. He has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
Kevin Bacon Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Kevin Bacon has received various nominations for his performances in film and television, showcasing his talent and versatility as an actor.
Kevin Bacon Awards Won
Kevin Bacon has won several prestigious awards, including a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his role in Taking Chance. His accolades reflect his contributions to the entertainment industry and his ability to engage audiences across different genres.
Kevin Bacon Family
Kevin Bacon has been married to actress Kyra Sedgwick since September 4, 1988. They have two children, Travis Sedgwick, born in 1989, and Sosie Ruth, born in 1992. The family resides on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York.
Personal Life
Bacon has spoken publicly about his beliefs, advocating for the separation of church and state. He has also expressed his views on religion, stating that he does not believe in God but is not anti-religion. Bacon and Sedgwick have appeared together in several projects and have a close relationship, having met on the set of the PBS version of Lanford Wilson’s play Lemon Sky. They also learned through a genealogical show that they are ninth cousins, once removed.
