Contributor

Kevin Bacon

Actor

Kevin Bacon is one of the foremost actors of his generation. His talent for balancing starring roles with powerful supporting characters on both film and stage has allowed him to build a varied and critically acclaimed body of work. With the support of his parents, Bacon left his native Philadelphia to become the youngest student at Circle in the Square Theatre in New York where he studied until he made his film debut as Chip in "National Lampoon's Animal House." This led to roles in "Diner" and "Footloose," the latter of which propelled him to stardom.

Bacon has proven his talents in a wide range of film genres from action thrillers to romantic comedies to heavy dramas, and even the occasional musical. Kevin Bacon’s film credits include “Trapped,” John Hughes' "She's Having a Baby,” “Criminal Law,” "The Big Picture," "Tremors," “Balto,” “Hollow Man”, David Koepp’s “Stir of Echoes,” the sleeper hit “My Dog Skip,” “Wild Things,” “Digging in China,” “Telling Lies in America,” “Picture Perfect,” “Stir of Echoes,” Oliver Stone's "JFK" and Rob Reiner's "A Few Good Men." He also starred in Barry Levinson’s “Sleepers” with Brad Pitt and Robert De Niro, the award-winning “Apollo 13” directed by Ron Howard, “Murder in the First” (voted Best Actor by The Broadcast Critics Association and nominated for Best Supporting Actor by The Screen Actors Guild and the London Film Critics Circle), “The River Wild” (for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe), “In the Cut,” Clint Eastwood’s “Mystic River,” (Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture) “Beauty Shop,” Atom Egoyan’s “Where the Truth Lies,” “The Air I Breathe,” “Death Sentence,” and “Rails and Ties.” In 2004 Kevin starred in “The Woodsman,” a compelling drama that premiered to great critical acclaim at the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals. He was nominated for an IFP Spirit Award for this role.

Most recently, Kevin starred in “Taking Chance,” a compelling film based on a true story that aired on HBO on Saturday, February 21st. It is the story of Marine Corporal Mike Strobyl who volunteers to escort the body of a young Marine killed in combat back to his final resting place. The film was also selected to screen “in competition” at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and was recently nominated for 10 Emmy Awards including Best Movie Made for TV as well as Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Movie made for Television.

Kevin was also recently seen starring with Frank Langella in the Academy-Award nominated political drama “Frost/Nixon,” which was directed by Ron Howard which is based on the award-winning play.



In 1996, Kevin Bacon made his directorial debut with, “Losing Chase” starring Kyra Sedgwick, Beau Bridges, and Helen Mirren. Produced for Showtime, “Losing Chase” was honored with three Golden Globe nominations, including, Best Motion Picture made for television. The film debuted on Showtime and was also screened at the Sundance Film Festival and the 1996 Toronto Film Festival. Kevin directed his second film, “Loverboy,” which he also produced and appears in. Based on the acclaimed novel by Victoria Redel, the film stars Kyra Sedgwick and features appearances by Campbell Scott, Matt Dillon, Marissa Tomei, and Oliver Platt. “Loverboy” had the honor of opening the Gen Art Film Festival in New York City.

In January 2000, the Film Society of Lincoln Center honored Kevin for his extraordinary career in the film industry.

Bacon's television credits include the American Playhouse version of Lanford Wilson's play "Lemon Sky," a production that teamed him with his future wife. Other television credits include the "The Gift" and the cable film "Enormous Changes at the Last Minute."

Kevin has recently directed his wife Kyra Sedgwick in several episodes of her hit TNT show “The Closer”.

In addition to his film and television credits, Kevin’s stage work includes such Off-Broadway productions as "Album," “Poor Little Lambs,” and "Getting Out." He made his Broadway debut in 1983 with Sean Penn in "Slab Boys," and starred in the 1986 production of Joe Orton's highly-touted play "Loot." He also starred in Theresa Rebeck's comedy "Spike Heels." In 2002, he starred in the Broadway one-man show, “An Almost Holy Picture,” written by Heather McDonald.

With his musician brother Michael, Kevin is the other half of “The Bacon Brothers,” a successful band with a sound that Kevin describes as “Forosoco” (which is the title of their first album)-- Folk, Rock, Soul and Country. Already highly regarded and hugely successful on the national club circuit, they have recorded 4 CD’s and a concert DVD.

At the 2007 Sundance Film Festival Kevin launched SixDegrees.org, a web site that builds on the popularity of the “small world phenomenon” to create a charitable social network and inspire giving to charities online. He started the network with celebrities by highlighting their favorite charities, and he encourages everyone to be celebrities for their own causes by joining the Six Degrees movement. To date, the site has succeeded in raising over 2 million dollars for charities around the world.

Bacon resides with his wife and two children in New York.