“I Have Been So Impressed”: Kevin Bacon Responds To Real-Life Footloose High School’s Viral Campaign

Kevin Bacon opens up about a recent viral campaign from the real-life Footloose high school. Bacon played the lead role of Ren McCormack in the classic 1984 movie. It was directed by Herbert Ross and featured a leading cast including Lori Singer, John Lithgow, and Dianne Wiest.

Four decades after the movie’s release, Bacon reacts to a real-life campaign from the Footloose high school. As per TODAY on Twitter/X, Bacon was asked about a recent campaign to get him to attend Payson High School’s prom. The morning show coordinated a call between the actor and the students, and Bacon offered generous words.

The Footloose star commented that he was “so impressed with everything that’s been going on there with this crazy idea to get me to come back.” Bacon ended his speech by confirming that he will attend their prom. The Payson students erupted with cheers as Bacon made this announcement. Check out the full quote from Bacon below:

I have been so impressed with everything that’s been going on there with this crazy idea to get me to come back. I’ve been amazed at the work that all of you have been putting into this, with the musical and the flash mobs and the re-creations.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed by me, not to mention the fact that you tied in SixDegrees.org, our foundation, and are trying to figure out ways to give back to your community. It’s really inspirational, so thank you. Thank you. And I’m gonna come. I gotta come!

As evidenced by Payson High School, Footloose still makes an impact today. The film has been touted as one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s, and the titular song is still played on throwback radio stations today. The work was adapted into a stage musical that first hit Broadway in 1998. Footloose was later remade into a 2011 film of the same name that did not receive the same glowing reception.

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Bacon himself has also become a notable star since the release of Footloose. A decade after its release, the phenomenon of “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” arose. This game posited that anyone in Hollywood could be connected back to the actor, through films they had mutually acted in, with a maximum of six degrees of separation. Years after that, Bacon created a charitable organization called SixDegrees.org, which the Payson High School students tied into their campaign.

Footloose has remained iconic both for the film itself and for Bacon’s involvement. In recent years, Bacon has taken on a varied set of roles. This includes recent roles in The Toxic Avenger, They/Them, and Leave the World Behind. In the coming months, Bacon will act in the horror sequel MaXXXine as well as Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. Before he does that, though, he has a Utah prom to attend.

Source: Today Show/Twitter