Actor Kevin Bacon's attempt at anonymity through prosthetics backfired, reinforcing his appreciation for the perks of fame. He reflects on his childhood desire for recognition and discusses his unwavering passion for acting after decades in the industry.
Despite decades of fame in Hollywood, Kevin Bacon remains a household name. However, his recent attempt to experience life outside the spotlight proved unsuccessful. Donning prosthetics and accessories to create a disguise, Bacon ventured out to a shopping center in Los Angeles, hoping to blend into the crowd.
"I'm not complaining, but I have a face that's pretty recognizable," Bacon told Vanity Fair. "Putting my hat and glasses on is only going to work to a certain extent."
Kevin Bacon's Incognito Adventure: Disguise Failed, Fame Rekindled
Seeking to achieve true anonymity, Bacon consulted with a special effects makeup artist, who crafted a new nose and teeth for him. With additional accessories, he embarked on his incognito adventure at The Grove, a popular outdoor shopping center.
However, his hopes of going unnoticed were dashed. "Nobody recognized me," Bacon recalled. "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.'"
Kevin Bacon's Incognito Adventure: Disguise Failed, Fame Rekindled
Bacon's failed disguise underscored his enduring attachment to fame. "My father [Edmund Bacon, an urban planner] was famous in Philadelphia, which, in some ways, is a small pond. But, for me, it was a big pond," he explained. "I saw him get recognized by people when he would walk down the street, and seeing that was definitely a big driving force in my life."
"Frankly, I wanted to be more famous than him. And you can lay me down on the shrink's couch. We could talk about that for a while. But it was definitely a motivator."
Kevin Bacon's Incognito Adventure: Disguise Failed, Fame Rekindled
Fame, however, is not the sole driving force behind Bacon's acting career. Despite nearly 50 years in the industry since his debut film, 1978's "Animal House," Bacon remains invested in the art of acting.
"Yes, I am still hungry, and I still feel like the best work is in front of me," he said. "I don't think it's a competition. It's a competition with myself. I probably did this in the past, but I'm not looking at this actor going, 'I wish I was him' or 'I wish I had what he had.'"
Bacon acknowledges the hierarchical nature of the film industry, which often fosters a competitive environment. However, he emphasizes the importance of community and mutual support among artists.
"So, wherever I can feel like I'm a member of a community that is supporting each other in creating these things that I think are super important, I want to do that," Bacon emphasized.
