Kevin Bacon recently took a bold step to experience life as an ordinary person, donning an elaborate disguise to see what it would be like if he weren’t instantly recognizable. In an interview with Vanity Fair, the actor, known for his roles in “Footloose” and “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” shared his thoughts on the experiment, concluding, “This sucks.”
Bacon, who is also starring in Ti West’s horror film “MaXXXine,” explained, “I’m not complaining, but I have a face that’s pretty recognizable. Putting my hat and glasses on is only going to work to a certain extent.” To truly blend in, he sought the expertise of a special effects makeup artist. After consultations, he was fitted with a prosthetic disguise that included fake teeth, a slightly different nose, and glasses.
When he tested his new look at The Grove, a popular outdoor shopping mall in Los Angeles, Bacon found that “nobody recognized me.” However, the experience quickly soured. “People were kind of pushing past me, not being nice. Nobody said, ‘I love you.’ I had to wait in line to, I don’t know, buy a f***ing coffee or whatever. I was like, This sucks. I want to go back to being famous,” he told Vanity Fair.
Bacon, who has been a prominent figure in Hollywood since the late 70s and became a megastar with 1984’s “Footloose,” expressed his gratitude for his career. “I honestly feel very grateful for where I happen to be. That I can have two totally different movies coming out within a couple of days of each other, and completely different roles. The fact they would both come my way is the thing that I feel the most gratitude for. I’ve fought really long and hard for it.”
The actor’s experiment underscores the perks and challenges of fame. While he enjoyed a brief moment of anonymity, the lack of recognition and the everyday inconveniences quickly made him yearn for his celebrity status. “I had to wait in line to, I don’t know, buy a f***ing coffee or whatever,” he groused. “I was like, ‘This sucks. I want to go back to being famous.'”
Bacon’s career has been prolific, spanning decades and encompassing a wide range of roles. His fame has even inspired the trivia game “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” where the goal is to link any actor to Bacon in less than six roles. Despite his long-standing fame, Bacon’s experiment revealed that he still values the recognition and adoration from fans.
Last month, Bacon and his wife Kyra Sedgwick made a rare red carpet appearance at the premiere of his new movie, “MaXXXine,” with their children, son Travis, 35, and daughter Sosie, 32. The couple has been married since 1988, and Sedgwick recently shared with Page Six, “We’re really lucky. We got lucky really young. [But], you know, it’s work. It’s always going to be work. A partnership for that long demands a lot of you. … I feel like a very lucky woman.”
Bacon’s recent projects include “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” where he stars opposite Eddie Murphy. His ability to take on diverse roles and remain relevant in the industry is a testament to his talent and dedication.
In addition to his acting career, Bacon has also been sharing his musical side on Instagram, often covering popular songs with his own twist. He recently received an unexpected gift from Beyoncé after he and his daughter covered one of her new songs. At the premiere of “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” Bacon shared the exciting news, “Here’s the really cool thing, I actually got a T-shirt from Beyoncé. Apparently, it was from her, I don’t know, what can I say.”
Bacon and his daughter Sosie delighted fans with a collaborative Instagram Reel featuring their rendition of Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus’ duet, “II Most Wanted,” from Beyoncé’s album, Cowboy Carter. The father-daughter duo added their personal touch by revising the lyrics to reflect their relationship. In the video, Bacon plays his guitar while Sosie sits closer to the camera and sings. The caption read, “A little duet of II Most Wanted, but had to make a few lyric changes to keep it father-daughter friendly. 😎. #CowboyCarter.”
When asked about his approach to these covers, Bacon told ET, “Well, listen, that means that I’m just trying to simplify whatever it is.” He expressed his admiration for Beyoncé’s latest work, stating, “I love the record so much.” His “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” co-star, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, chimed in, confirming they were discussing Cowboy Carter and adding, “It’s brilliant, it really is.”
On a personal note, Bacon also discussed his upcoming 35th wedding anniversary with Sedgwick. When asked about the secret to their long-lasting marriage, he humbly responded, “No secret. I really don’t know the secret.” Bacon then drew a parallel to his musical pursuits, saying, “Honestly, I mean, I have, this is going back to music. People ask me a lot, it’s hard work right, you really gotta put in the work and I’ve heard that said and to me, it’s less about the work and more about play, you gotta play.”
Kevin Bacon’s experiment with anonymity may have been short-lived, but it provided a unique glimpse into the life of an ordinary person. Ultimately, it reaffirmed his appreciation for the recognition and love he receives from fans, solidifying his desire to embrace his fame.
Source: Vanity Fair, Page Six, ET
