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Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon Game: A Simple Guide For Beginners (+Tips)

Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon Game: A Simple Guide For Beginners (+Tips)

Quizzes and Games

Jane Ng 19 Sep 2023 4 min read

Have you ever watched a movie and thought, “Hey, that actor looks familiar!” or played the classic game of connecting actors through their roles in different films? If so, you’re in for a treat! Today, we’re delving into a fun and accessible Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game to explore the world of Hollywood. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll break down the rules, and share some pro tips to help you become a master at tracing cinematic connections.

Let’s jump into the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game!

Table Of Contents 

Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon Game

How To Play Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon Game: A Simple Guide

Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon is a fun game where you connect any actor to the famous actor Kevin Bacon through their movie roles. The goal is to complete this process in as few steps as possible. Here’s how to play:

Step 1: Choose an Actor

Start by picking any actor you like. It can be someone famous or not so famous; it doesn’t matter.

Step 2: Connect to a Movie with Kevin Bacon

Now, think of a movie in which your chosen actor has appeared alongside Kevin Bacon. It could be a movie they acted in together or a movie where they were both in the cast.

Step 3: Count the Degrees

Count how many steps it took to connect your chosen actor to Kevin Bacon through their movie roles. This is called “degrees.” For example, if your actor was in a movie with someone who was in a movie with Kevin Bacon, that’s two degrees.

Step 4: Try to Beat Your Friends

Challenge your friends to see if they can connect a different actor to Kevin Bacon in fewer degrees than you did. It’s a fun competition to see who can find the shortest path to Kevin Bacon.

Image: Philadelphia Magazine

Example:

Example 1: Let’s say you chose Tom Hanks:

  • “A Few Good Men” starred Tom Cruise and Kevin Bacon.

So, Tom Hanks is one degree away from Kevin Bacon.

Example 2: Scarlett Johansson

  1. Scarlett Johansson was in “Black Widow” with Florence Pugh.
  2. Florence Pugh was in “Little Women” with Timothée Chalamet.
  3. Timothée Chalamet appeared in the film “Interstellar” alongside Matthew McConaughey.
  4. Matthew McConaughey was in “Tropic Thunder” with Ben Stiller.
  5. Ben Stiller was in “There’s Something About Mary” with Cameron Diaz.
  6. Cameron Diaz was in “She’s the One” with Kevin Bacon.

So, Scarlett Johansson is six degrees away from Kevin Bacon.

Remember, the game is all about connecting actors through their movie roles, and it’s a great way to explore how interconnected Hollywood actors really are. Have fun playing Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon!

Pro Tips For Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon Game

If you want to become a pro at the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game, here are some tips to help you master it:

  • Use Well-Known Movies: Start with famous movies and actors. They often connect to Kevin Bacon more quickly because they’ve been in a lot of films.
  • Look for Key Actors: Some actors have been in many movies and can help you connect faster. Tom Hanks, for example, has been in many films with various actors.
  • TV Shows Count: You can use TV shows in addition to movies to make connections. If an actor has been on TV and in movies, it opens up more possibilities.
  • Use Online Tools: Some websites and apps can help you find connections faster like oracleofbacon.org. You type in two actors’ names, and they show you how they’re connected through movies.
  • Practice and Learn: The more you play, the better you get. You’ll start to notice patterns and shortcuts that can help you win the game more quickly.
  • Be Patient: Sometimes, you might need more degrees to connect actors, and that’s okay. 
  • Challenge Friends: Playing with friends makes it even more fun. See who can connect actors in the fewest degrees. You’ll learn from each other.
  • Explore Kevin Bacon: Remember, you can connect other actors to Kevin Bacon too, not just yourself. Try connecting your friends’ chosen actors to Kevin Bacon as a challenge.

Key Takeaways

The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game is a fantastic and entertaining way to explore the interconnected world of Hollywood. It’s simple to play and can be a lot of fun, whether you’re a movie buff or just looking for a great game night activity. 

To make your game nights even more enjoyable, be sure to utilize AhaSlides and discover our engaging interactive templates!

FAQs

How many degrees does Kevin Bacon have?

Kevin Bacon’s Bacon number is typically considered to be 0 because he is the central figure in the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game.

Who came up with Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon?

It was popularized by three college students, Craig Fass, Brian Turtle, and Mike Ginelli, in the early 1990s. They created the game as a way to connect actors through their movie roles.

Is the 6 degrees of separation true? 

The “Six Degrees of Separation” concept is a theory suggesting that everyone on Earth is connected to everyone else by six or fewer degrees of acquaintanceship. While it’s a popular notion, its accuracy in practice is debated, but it’s a fascinating concept.