Kevin Bacon celebrates ‘Footloose’ school’s prom with students

In honor of the 40th anniversary of “Footloose,” Kevin Bacon headed back to Payson High School in Utah, where the iconic movie was filmed, to celebrate their prom. NBC’s Kaylee Hartung reports for TODAY.
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#footloose #kevinbacon #goodnews

[@jdtractorman7445]

One of the aspects that I have really liked about Kevin is that he appears to be a humble, cool and quiet kind of guy. He isn't over the top all about promoting himself, just stays true to himself. He is the same guy he was 40 years ago and hasn't let success go to his head.

[@chumark54]

@jdtractorman7445 Agreed. He mostly played bad guys, but from what I've heard he seems to be a decent person.

[@nuschlerclark895]

Are you kidding?? This is the height of a vanity project. No one cares about Payton High School in southern Utah.

[@marryellenmonahan5585]

Because he is.

[@dHolbach77]

Who knows? You don't really know someone unless you live with them - see all their moods and behavior all day for weeks on end at least. Anyone can put on a fake public persona for a short, or even long time. I'm friendlier in public, including my job, than I am in my private life for instance, because I'm an introvert, but in public I appear friendly and outgoing. That said, he's probably pretty decent. It's just that you never know.

[@stephb3321]

His daughter went to college in our town. It’s not a big town and people recognize each other. He had been seen with Kyra every now and then in downtown and when people stopped them, they were both very nice and gracious. Not flashy or pretentious. Such a cool person. ❤

[@ThatBearHasMoxie]

So AH-MAZING!!! Those students will remember that time "Kevin Bacon came to our high school!" for the rest of their lives. Kevin you are awesome for doing that!!!

[@brettteply1207]

Well done, well done 👍

[@susanemmanuel2205]

The 80s was the best decade to live in. What a man, such well deserved fame. Wish I had the honor to be there..

[@rosesuenram6842]

Proud of Kevin for going and the kids for their hard work for the charity.

[@Stefanie2530]

I love how much pride these kids have over something that happened 40 YEARS ago! Good for them

[@JC-pq4ul]

Much respect for Kevin Bacon to take the time to go back to Payson High School in Utah and support those kids. He is truly genuine and it was much appreciated I am sure by all attending. So cool too to also conduct some great community service work at the same time. That was awesome!

[@mrich9654]

these kids got to experience a glimpse into the awesome 80's!!! We were the lucky ones!!!

[@maplobats]

No attitude, no ego, just a stand up guy. ❤

[@islandfocus2]

That was amazing! I was 14 years old when Footloose came out in theatres. I so missing being a teen during the 1980's. Good times!

[@stephaniehorneLovesJESUS]

I was 13, 7th grade. Yes, you are so right, those were good times! We lived in THE BEST decade to be a teenager.

[@user-vg7hb9mz2n]

But he didn't show up and dance at the prom. It showed him on a TV screen talking to the students instead. Told them to DANCE.

[@yaimavol]

We had no idea how fast it would change and be gone. The Internet came along and changed everything

[@KINGH4L0]

I’m so glad he went there. It was really neat to watch him crack open the locker again after so many years. He went out of his way to make a lot of kids dream come true. Classy, great guy.

[@LM-tl5bd]

So great! Kevin and the students of Payson High are so cool to do this!

[@mikeizzano172]

Everyone’s always said Kevin is a great guy…..this is another example of his character !

[@justkeepswimming6549]

What a class act. ❤

[@BrendaMcCausland]

I absolutely love this movie and to see the legendary Kevin Bacon return there after 40 years is so great. Well done everyone

[@caLee12]

What a classic movie and actor. Brings me back to high school. Love that Kevin didn’t let his stardom make him “too big” to not go back, and that he that he was able to reminiscence these students 💛

[@milmil6594]

When Kevin Bacon makes a promise he delivers..how cool is cool when Kevin Bacon shows up and takes the time to deliver a message that hopefully stands true to all these students..Now you the students are just as cool to remember him with such a warm welcome of appreciation..Not only a fine actor but a great musician in his own right..The whole time i was in High School i couldn't wait to get out of school..But what was i thinking..now i wish i could go back..

[@KNOWHOPE72]

I hope this initiative gets more of today's generation to watch Footloose. Magical movie, magical soundtrack and positive message. Its a shock to learn that the actors were not dancing to the soundtrack! Kevin looks fantastic at 65!

[@marthajean50]

Congratulations to all the students who went for what they wanted and got it! Just imagine what else they'll be able to accomplish if they can pull this off as teens.

[@solracer66]

I'm Kevin's age and I go swing dancing twice a week and have for years often with partners 4 decades younger. The key to dancing when you get older is to just never stop, I can do it for hours and not get tired at all. Dancing keeps you young!

[@chickentava]

dont break yo hip

[@kathiehill165]

I just love kevin bacon!!!

[@CPTBlackDragon07]

One of Kevin Bacon's best movies! One of my first movie as a kid to see him in! 😎👍❤️🎥📼

[@4biz]

THIS WAS VERY AWSOME OF HIM TO TO THIS.NOT ANY FAMOUS PEOPLE WONT DO THIS FOR ANYBODY.HE VERY HUMBLE..''THANK YOU KEVIN''

[@bobcatbigpaws5597]

He was so cute in Footloose. Still nice looking. He's really taken good care of himself. This is such a cute video. So sweet he did this visiting this school. These kids really were glad he came.

[@reneeheknowsmyname6771]

I'm feeling old....lol....40 yrs?!?! That's crazy!! I remember going to see this movie with my youth group when it first came out!! What a great and timeless movie!!

[@stephaniehorneLovesJESUS]

I know what you mean about feeling old! I went with 7th grade friends and we had to sit in the aisle the theater was so packed. How could that have possibly been 40 years ago?!?!

[@reneeheknowsmyname6771]

@@stephaniehorneLovesJESUS ....... Fun times indeed!! We were the first to watch these great movies!! Nowadays, they want to remake them and you just can't captured the 'Moment' of the movie, you know?!

[@ArtistGoddess369]

This is what celebrities are supposed to do the good and be a good humanitarian.Not all this other stuff that's going on in the media with these fools

[@avahudson6849]

My final 2 kids (out of 6) get to watch Footloose tonight-they are now old enough! Yippee… I get to enjoy Footloose all over again ❤

[@PrinceVoodoo...]

Pretty cool that Kevin Bacon showed up. I love Footloose!

[@jachizmar]

LETSSSSS DANCESSSS!!!!! Your so amazing Kevin Bacon 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@wildlyunrulyadventures3942]

The man exudes coolness. Such a kind an humble thing to do. It's a beautiful thing that he understands the impact that he has had on not just this school and community but on all fans. And toss in the fact that he is doing his work for charity!! Awesome.

[@gram2977]

Absolutely love Kevin Bacon! ❤ It’s so special that he went back to Payson High for these kids. He is such an inspiration and it’s great to have a “feel good” story these days.

[@tommyo2450]

Dear Hollywood: Be more like Kevin Bacon.

[@stephb3321]

💯!!

[@mercury8023]

Also, be more like bacon 🥓

[@madyogi6164]

OH YESSS!!!

[@isrstrategies]

They are crazy libs

[@OmniFilm-dk8ox]

Wow ..Who would have thought Kevin would be back 40 Years later. ...time flies

[@LordUSABless]

Great thing you did here, Mr. Bacon! Class act 💖You made everyone's day 😊!

[@christinareyes2963]

I think it’s really amazing the life lesson he taught these kids that they can change things with hard work. That will stay with them the rest of their lives.

[@rhondaboncutter5812]

I love this so very much! My Highschool Years were not this fun! Amazing!

[@BonnieDragonKat]

They should take out the locker and put it somewhere like a new museum or something so that it doesn't get lost when the building is torn down. Thank you Kevin and Payson High!

[@labellav1103]

This was so cool for him to do! I literally just watched this movie for the 1st time last week! And started looking it up online. I loved Willard! RIP Chris

[@thethailandtravellers]

8 years old...my first one on the big screen😊 loved that movie!!❤

[@Tank4Life]

Cool that he did that. Such a humble guy.

[@cathy3353]

Aw! These students did such an amazing job presenting him and us with amazing nostalgia! So sweet and great attention to detail. Love it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Vaporvice84]

Quite a few theaters are doing "70's themed" marathons right now and I'm happy to say I've finally seen Footloose on the big screen for its 40th anniversary. T'was a great time!!

[@Indygo24]

KUDOS to Kevin Bacon for doing this. AWESOME!!! ❤❤❤

[@d.b.1176]

Good for those kids, the hard work payed off.

[@KipPalmateer]

That was great of Kevin to do this. Those kids were so excited. Just awesome.

[@19snowy19]

I love KB. Such a cool dude.

[@kelleywyskiel3478]

Do you know how sad I am that this movie is based on an Oklahoma school and they got to get Kevin Bacon and the Footloose experience! How cool to have the school they filmed in and invite him into such an amazing memory.

[@leonardvicari2857]

You are so cool.Kevin Bacon I saw footloose when I was 18 in 1984 a great movie about loving life and staying young at heart

[@TommySandman-ok2ei]

I'm 63 we watched Mr. Bacon and the his movie at BYU. Great show.

[@Bringos76]

They should add this video to the Special Features on the movie

[@90Star_Indigo]

❤So love this whole idea! Kevin is seriously the best!!💜 Saw this film for the first time during my middle school years. Loved it ever since!💎

[@Angelica71771]

What can I say...Kevin is AWESOME❤

[@user-ee8kf6ik8d]

Great to see a star return to the school where they did the movie Footloose.

[@mattmclean1306]

LEGENDARY MOVIE. LEGENDARY ACTOR

[@Idolmakercat]

This was great! I loved Footloose. I was 18 when he was making this movie.

[@CTyler-bu9iu]

That's great guys Congratulations ❤We love you Kevin ❤

[@victoriarayl7263]

What a cool guy to do this...great memories for these kids👍👍

[@bubbles4905]

Love it! Its my favourite movie! Saw it when I was 17. Im 57 now. Had such a crush on Kevin Bacon.😊❤

[@jamalive]

He is great in Tremors movies too. Watch number one

[@davidgoodner8094]

Kevin Thank you for being a great movie star and a great person

[@jennlaurens]

Lovely and kind.

[@Morerhapsody]

So wonderful Kevin. ❤

[@mikeostrander2627]

Thank you Kevin for being an inspiration

[@JohnnyEla]

Bacon with the swagger

[@kfetter9046]

Such a good guy!❤

[@HeatherBerg]

Well done🎉🎉NEVER STOP DANCING.

[@paperprincess1050]

How great, he made a really good speech.

[@sharynbrown2225]

Kevin is soo awesome

[@jediknightjairinaiki560]

That is so cool.

[@QuicknStraight]

Kevin Bacon is one of those down to earth, likeable stars that haven't lost touch with reality. Good for him, going back and do that!

[@Hunteh862]

"I'm gonna come. I've got to come!" - Kevin Bacon ... "WOOHOOOOOYEAAAAAAAHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[@marinab106]

Kevin is a top dude❤❤❤

[@10tive]

Whow! Dancing without the soundtrack yet at that time during the shoot. That's a new tidbit. ❤ Awesome.

[@aaronpotter7025]

How cool is that!!!

[@USMCHelloKitty]

These kids have awesome parents to know who Kevin Bacon is.

[@melodieramsay7918]

So cool! Kevin Bacon is such a great person. Have always loved him and the characters he played.

[@veronamartin5285]

Love Kevin Bacon! He has the best wife, Kiera Sedgewick too! When are you going to come perform again in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada? 🇨🇦 We love you here! ❤ Edited to add R.I.P. Chris Penn. 💔 Gone too soon & too young.

[@liamn.7664]

that’s so cool kevin bacon came back to the school that gave him his name after 40 years for its last semester

[@psychlover42]

Footloose was my parents' first date. 💕

[@sistemasgpo.davilatextil4469]

We are here celebrating 40 years of Footloose.

[@mishka8180]

What a great guy. Humble, kind, fun, and gives back to the community!! Always liked his acting and him as a person.

[@FunAtHomeCollectibles]

I grew up with Kevin's movies. Very nostalgic to look back. Have an awesome day!💥From Fun At Home (supporting content creators)☮

[@linnea_of_smeg]

💚🦁🥓 Payson high student council did it!!! 👏 Congratulations

[@eligebrown8998]

Lucky bunch of kids

[@bessiemorris5282]

I truly loved the 80s and i love kevin what a down to earth and careing man he is so down to earth cool guy it was so sweet pf him to take the time put of his busy life to do this special thing i wish him nothing but the best for him

[@Zergking99]

Best actor ever, i just love Kevin, river wild, apolly 13, he is the man, love from Sweden

[@user-dp1wc4oh4r]

❤❤❤❤ BEAUTIFUL STORY 😊😊😊😊

[@GuamPhotographer]

This is so awesome! I was a junior in high school when this movie came out, and it brought back so many memories! That Kevin Bacon seems so down to Earth!

[@domcorleone66]

That is so cool!! I was in high school when this movie came out.

[@manuelorozco7760]

I was a senior when the remake came out in 2011

[@andrewd7586]

From Australia great memories of the movie back in the day & yeah I’m just a few years YOUNGER than Kevin!🤣😎👍🏼🇦🇺

[@Flygypsystew]

One of my favorite movies ❤❤😊

[@bennyboogenheimer4553]

Bacon Memories. No Grandkids, but way passed old enough to be a Grandpop! lol!

[@jenhodges92]

This is beyond amazing!

[@willcookmakeup]

Its so cool kids their age are so interested in this movie

[@brettteply1207]

I am glad Kevin came to their prom, but since the school is a piece of film history. It should be preserved, not destroyed or demolished. It’s important to me, the town, the students and they continue going to that school. I wish Kevin, his costars, and his celebrity friends would donate money to the town to help save the school and to help it grow to accommodate the ever growing number of students wishing to attend the school where Kevin danced

[@cr6025]

The reason why they have to tear it down is due to the building not being up to standards for earthquakes. Utah is on a major fault line and studies show that the old Payson high school would completely collapse during a 7.0 or higher earthquake. Don’t worry they are building the new building right next to the old school

[@irishcowgirl21]

It is amazing. My niece, Emily, is a student at Payson High

[@martymontano7493]

I saw Footloose once when I was in high school. And because of this celebration, I'mma gonna watch it again...

[@Av-vd3wk]

He’s gonna come…he’s gotta come.

[@threesixfiveart563]

Yayyyy, Kevin!!

[@DeannaSaville-xk6ub]

That is so amazing 😍

[@marlaknaack4641]

Respect! What a great guy! And kudos to those kids for never giving up! I can’t imagine the prom experience they had! ( sorry for all the * !!!!! *)

[@roverlutionary619]

Fantastic film ❤

[@objects_corner]

Kevin seems to have always been a great guy!