Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. The parlor game that swept across America in 1994, and still so easily referenced today. Holding some very good chances for years to come. So how did this become a thing?

In 1994, Bacon claimed while discussing the movie, The River Wild, that “he had worked with everybody in Hollywood or someone who’s worked with them.” 

Challenge accepted. 

Three students attending Albright College created the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game. As told by the students themselves, they were watching Footloose one evening and saw a commercial for another Kevin Bacon movie, The Air Up.

The game essentially can tie any known actor to Kevin Bacon in 6 degrees or less. It became a hot party game around the college campus. And shortly thereafter, the boys wrote a letter to Jon Stewart, who at the time was hosting The Jon Stewart Show. They explained the game and the show took it upon itself to have some fun with it.

When Bacon first became privy to this game, he took it as an insult. Like, people were making fun of him. 

The game turned out to be a tribute, not an insult. And Kevin Bacon is now a cultural icon.

In 2007 he started a non-profit: sixdegrees.org. An organization focused on preventing disconnection amongst companies, non-profits and individuals within a community.

Seven years later, in 2014, he appeared at a SXSW talk all about the game and how it has lived on for 20 years at that time.  And to think, it’s been just over 30 years now… Kevin Bacon has launched his very own podcast: The Last Degree of Kevin Bacon.

The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon phenomenon swept the nation in the mid-90s and has been referenced many times since.

A simple concept of “six degrees of separation” but now with a vibrant and familiar face. (And not that bad looking either.)

The concept actually works on anyone, anywhere.

And one that some may want to change up if they grow tired of using Kevin Bacon as the “center of the universe.” 

Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. The parlor game of the ages, and one I hope stays strong for decades to come. If you’re looking for a good way to avoid politics this holiday season, start a game of your own! It can at least buy you some time before the dinner conversation mayhem.