Kevin Bacon Says Being “Not F——-” Nearly Cost Him His Break as a Leading Man

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I was shocked to learn that Kevin Bacon almost didn’t get a major role early in his career! Apparently, some people in charge of casting didn’t think he fit the typical ‘heartthrob’ image. It’s crazy to think about now, considering how successful and respected he is!

In a 2003 interview with The Guardian, Kevin Bacon shared a surprising story about how a candid remark nearly cost him the starring role in Footloose.

Kevin Bacon started his acting career with small roles in films like National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) and Friday the 13th (1980). However, it was his part as Fenwick in Barry Levinson’s Diner (1982) that first brought him critical attention.

Fenwick wasn’t the typical handsome, confident movie star. He was a flawed, struggling alcoholic, portrayed as vulnerable and deserving of sympathy. This unconventional characterization influenced how Hollywood viewed actor Kevin Bacon at the time.

I always found it fascinating what Kevin Bacon said about how Hollywood types often want actors to just repeat what’s worked before. Apparently, after he played a really different, unassuming character in Diner, they almost didn’t even consider him for Footloose! They couldn’t quite picture him as the confident, all-American Ren McCormack because he’d been so different in his previous role. It’s crazy to think how easily he could have missed out on that iconic part!

According to reports, Paramount executive Barbara Steel rejected Kevin Bacon for a leading role, using harsh language to describe him. Bacon understood her criticism, explaining that she was essentially saying he hadn’t yet proven himself capable of carrying a film as the main actor.

I remember when people weren’t sure about Kevin Bacon as a leading man, but everything changed with Footloose in ’84. That movie was huge – a total cultural moment! It really launched his career and made him one of the actors to watch in Hollywood.

After that early success, I was really impressed by how much range he showed. He wasn’t afraid to jump between genres – he could nail the suspense in thrillers like Hollow Man and Sleepers, then completely break your heart in dramas like Mystic River and The Woodsman. And it wasn’t just film! He proved he was a truly gifted actor, equally at home on stage and television, showing he was so much more than your typical leading man.

Kevin Bacon’s career demonstrates that what Hollywood considers attractive can be unpredictable, and that skill and hard work are often more important than initial appearances. He defied expectations and became a highly successful and well-regarded actor, proving that being typecast doesn’t have to limit a performer’s potential.

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2025-11-06 11:44