Boasting a phenomenal level of agility at 65, Kevin Bacon “kicked off his Sunday shoes” and celebrated the end of the 118-day actors’ strike by recreating the iconic dance from 1984’s hit film, Footloose.
Last Wednesday, after the historic strike came to an end, Bacon posted a video of his jaw-dropping dance moves, leaving fans feeling nostalgic and gushing over the “cool dude” who’s still “sizzling.”
Kevin Bacon, who’s synonymous with the 1984’s musical-drama Footloose, surprised the world in his breakthrough role that allowed him to showcase his wicked dance moves.
Bacon, now 65, has been a staple in Hollywood since earning scores of fans as Ren, the teenager from the city who disrupts a small town that’s banned music and dancing. The box office hit features touchstone songs from the 1980s, like “Let’s Hear it for the Boy,” “Holding out for a Hero” and the titular song, “Footloose,” performed by Kenny Loggins.
Surprisingly, Bacon shared with Conan O’Brien on an episode 10 years ago, that he almost lost out on the role that later left fans swooning.
“The producer of the movie wanted me, and the director wanted me, but the head of the studio at the time literally said to them, ‘I don’t want that kid. He’s not f—able,’” recalled the star, who earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003. “I was 24 at the time, and I was pretty sure I was f—able.”
On the same show, the Tremors star revealed that he begs and bribes DJs at weddings to not play the song “Footloose.”
“I…hand him $20, and say ‘Please don’t play that song,’” Bacon said, explaining that when the song plays at a wedding, everyone crowds and claps around him. “A wedding is really not about me. It’s about the bride and groom, and it’s embarrassing. It’s awful.”
Bacon further confirmed the rumor in a 2020 appearance on the podcast Pardon My Take. The actor acknowledged that part of the reason is also because he might not be able to do the moves that made him famous in 1984.
He also joked that, sometimes, there’s no actual danger involved, as some DJs don’t even know who he is.
“There’s also the risk that the guy goes, ‘Thanks for the 20, I have no idea who you are,’” Bacon joked.
Backing up to 2013, one year after his admission on Conan, he dazzled fans on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon when he stepped out on stage with his swift dance moves to “Footloose.”
Footloose and fancy-free
On November 9, when it was announced the SAG-AFTRA strike was over after a historic 118 days, the Hollow Man star celebrated with a clip of himself where he’s recreating his iconic dance moves from “Footloose.”
Incredibly limber, Bacon performed his mind-blowing moves in the barn by his home, 39 years after first performing the dance in the 1984 classic.
In the clip, he’s seen in the doorway of the barn, backlit by the sun and his silhouette sweeping across the wooden floors of the barn.
He captioned his clip, “Strike over!”
Celebrity friends jumped in with comments, praising the actor over his awesome announcement.
Nathan Fillion, the star of The Rookie writes, “It pleases me to no end that you embrace and provide so joyfully what brings the rest of us such happiness. Thank you for this, and all you do, Mr. Bacon.”
Actor Rita Wilson – the wife of Tom Hanks – shares, “This made my day kevin!”
And CHiPs actor Dax Shepard shares, “The Grinch’s heart just grew another three times!!!” Shepard was referencing Bacon’s well-known dislike of the jolly holiday season.
In 2022, Bacon appeared in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, and director James Gunn spoke with Variety about bringing his “favorite actor” into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Kevin doesn’t like Christmas. That part was hilarious to me,” Gunn shared. “I have Kevin showing up on set in what is supposed to be his house, and it’s filled with all these enormous inflatables. It looks like Santa Claus vomited all over the Bacon house, which looks nothing like Kevin Bacon’s house in any way. It’s so L.A.-looking, which is just not Kevin.”
Bacon may not like Christmas but his fans can’t get enough of his social media post. Since the Footloose clip was shared on Instagram three days ago, it’s already been liked by 1.4 million people.
One fan writes, “An entire generation was just celebrating over this video!” while another adds, “Bacon still sizzles.”
A third jokes, “How many times can you watch this before fading into full-on creep status. Asking for a friend, [obviously].”
A fourth says what we all are thinking: “Kevin Bacon is one freakin cool dude and guy.”
Kevin Bacon is just so cool! We love his videos, especially the ones where he’s dancing and making us all feel nostalgic.
Please share this story and let’s show this awesome actor a lot of love!
READ MORE
- Kevin Bacon says he pays off DJs to not play “Footloose” theme at weddings
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick nail viral ‘Footloose’ dance trend nearly 40 years after the ’80s classic
