Kevin Bacon Visits 'Footloose' High School Decades Later for Special Event
Kevin Bacon revisits the iconic high school setting of the 'Footloose' movie, filmed in 1984, for a charitable occasion.
Hours before prom night at Payson High School in Utah, actor Kevin Bacon made a surprise visit to the campus where the movie Footloose was filmed in 1984.
"It's been a long time - 40 years - that just blows my mind, you know. Things look a little different around here. I'd say the thing that looks the most different is me," Bacon, who is 65 years old, joked when he appeared on the football field on Saturday, April 20.
The student body rallied to bring Bacon back to the school before their move to a new facility next fall. Instead of just giving Bacon an honorary diploma, they chose to volunteer for his charity, Six Degrees, right before prom. They organized an event to assemble 5,000 kits filled with essentials to assist those in need.
Six Degrees reported that the event resulted in more than $865,000 worth of product distribution, equating to a total of 121,900 items. These care kits, which contain hygiene products, socks, journals, reusable water bottles, shelf-stable goods, and a three-month offer of free counseling, will be distributed to four organizations.
"When I first heard about this #BaconToPayson thing, I was like ‘Wow, this is crazy.’ But you were all just tireless, unrelenting in your desire to have me return. And you talked me into it!” Bacon told the community.
“I think it’s great to see that kind of commitment to anything. I also think that it’s amazing the power that this movie has had to just kind of bring people together, and connect on the basic ideas there are behind the movie – you know, standing up to authority sometimes, and to being forgiving to people who are not exactly the same as you, and for standing up for your own freedoms and your right to express yourself, and for having compassion for other people.”
A post from Payson High School Official (@payson_lions) was shared on social media.
He expressed his gratitude, saying that the students have turned a simple visit from a movie star into something very positive. He commended their commitment to giving back to the community and the people they share the planet with. Today, they will be working together to build kits, and he thanked them for their dedication.
Bacon, a volunteer for the nonprofit, was honored with an honorary diploma from Payson High School for his outstanding contributions. It was the first time he saw his name on a diploma. The students also gifted him a varsity jacket with "Footloose 1984" on the back.
The movie "Footloose" was released in February 1984, featuring Bacon as teenager Ren McCormack. The film tells the story of Ren moving to a small town where dancing and rock music are banned. He strives to overturn the law and eventually succeeds. "Footloose" made $80 million at the box office, surpassing its production budget by nearly ten times.
Since its release 40 years ago, Footloose has been turned into a stage musical and was remade in 2011 starring Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough.
Even though the soundtrack is famous, featuring songs like Kenny Loggins' "Footloose" and Deniece Williams' "Let's Hear It for the Boy" which were nominated for Oscars, Kevin Bacon has confessed that he prefers to steer clear of the songs.
During a Conan appearance in 2013, Bacon shared a story about going to the disc jockey at a wedding. He handed the DJ $20 and politely asked him not to play a certain song. Bacon explained that he believes a wedding is all about the bride and groom, not about him, so it would be embarrassing if that song was played.
Editor's P/S:
Kevin Bacon's visit to Payson High School, where "Footloose" was filmed four decades ago, is a testament to the film's enduring legacy and the power of community. The students' efforts to volunteer for Bacon's charity, Six Degrees, before their prom, instead of just giving him an honorary diploma, is a heartwarming example of their commitment to making a difference.
The event, which resulted in over $865,000 worth of product distribution, highlights the significant impact that seemingly small actions can have when combined. The care kits assembled by the students will provide much-needed support to those in need, both locally and beyond. Bacon's appreciation for the students' dedication and the positive message behind "Footloose" serve as a reminder that entertainment can inspire meaningful change and bring people together.
