UPFRONT/THE A LIST
5 Surprising Things About Kevin Bacon
1. He was the baby of six Bacon children
The youngest by eight years, so I was 100 percent an accident. My parents were loving and big on creativity. Write a song and play it, bang on a pot, do something! But when I left home, I was on my own.
2. He’s had his ass kicked
When I got the call to be in Animal House [1978], I thought I was off to the races. Then I went to the premiere, but wasn’t given the VIP ticket. I was on the other side of the rope watching the cast get out of the limo and walk down the red carpet. If you want to stick it out, you’ve got to have thick skin, because you will get your ass kicked.
3. He still doesn’t think he’s made it
I really don’t. But I would say there was a moment when I thought: I don’t have to go back to waiting tables. That was probably around 1982 when Diner came out.
“It’s astounding considering the number of failures I’ve had that this magazine would even be willing to talk to me!”
4. He’s been married to Kyra Sedgwick since 1988, but don’t ask for their secret
I hesitate because it ends up being a quote that minimizes 36 years of marriage. And think about what the possible answers would be: “Oh, she’s my best friend.” Get outta here! Marriage doesn’t work. Look how many end in divorce. I’m not sure it’s a good idea, honestly. It’s like, yes, we’re still married and that’s that.
5. The whole ‘Six Degrees’ thing has been a blessing and a curse
I say this with gratitude for coming as far as I have and being able to make a living at what I love to do. But with Six Degrees, there’s an element of almost being more famous for being me than the work I’ve done. —As told to Chris Nashawaty
The Golden Globe-winning actor Kevin Bacon, 66, stars in the upcoming Amazon series The Bondsman as well as Netflix’s Sirens, in which he appears opposite Julianne Moore.
For an exclusive video, visit aarp.org/kevinbacon.