The bond between Kevin Bacon and the high school where he filmed “Footloose” is only growing stronger.
Bacon appeared on TODAY on April 3 to promote his new Prime Video series, “The Bondsman.” Coincidentally, students from Payson High School, in Payson, Utah — where “Footloose” was filmed — happened to be on the Plaza. They paid tribute to Bacon by performing some of the sweet dance moves he did as Ren McCormack in the iconic ‘80s flick.
After his interview, Bacon walked onto the Plaza to see the students busting a move and admitted he didn’t remember the steps to the dance.
“I do not,” he said when asked if he could still do the dance. “And I don’t want to injure myself.”
Bacon visited Payson High School in 2024 to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of “Footloose,” after students there campaigned for him to return.
“It was amazing. We loved it,” Bacon said during his April 3 interview while reminiscing on his school visit.
During an earlier interview with Bacon that morning, Craig had said the school reached out to say they would be in New York City on a field trip and had asked if they could stop by the Plaza. It just so happened that it was the day Bacon would be on the show.
“It’s like they’re stalking you now,” Craig joked.
Fast forward to the Plaza, and after the group of students danced, Craig said he felt destiny was at play.
“This was clearly meant to be,” he said.
“Zero degrees of separation. Here you are. Kevin, thank you so much,” Savannah Guthrie said, alluding to the popular “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” game, in which people try to connect the actor to any actor in Hollywood within six steps.
“If I’d known, I would’ve worn my letter jacket,” Bacon joked when standing next to the students.
While visiting the school in 2024, he couldn’t believe how much time had passed.
“It’s one of those things where it’s changed, things have been built up a lot,” he said at the time of his return.
“But sort of the essence of it is definitely still here. A young woman said to me, ‘You know, my grandfather was in school here when you were doing the movie.’ Your grandfather?? If going through the 40th anniversary wasn’t enough. I was like, ‘Wow, OK. Check yourself, buddy.’”
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