The Actor With the Highest Bacon Number in Hollywood

In Hollywood, being connected to prolific actor Kevin Bacon is a major bragging right. The game of calculating “Bacon numbers” shows how far removed an actor is from appearing in a movie with Kevin Bacon So who has the claim to the highest Bacon number in Hollywood?

The answer may surprise you, as it’s not actually an actor at all! Let’s delve into the fascinating world of Bacon numbers to uncover who has the furthest degree of separation from Kevin Bacon in cinematic history.

Understanding Kevin Bacon Numbers

The concept of Bacon numbers was invented in 1994 by college students who noticed Kevin Bacon had worked with practically every major actor either directly or through a common collaborator.

This spawned the idea of Bacon numbers as a measurement of an actor’s separation from Kevin Bacon by filming degrees.

Here’s how it works:

• Kevin Bacon has a Bacon number of 0.

• Actors who have worked directly with Kevin Bacon in a movie or TV show have a Bacon number of 1.

• Actors who have worked with another actor with a Bacon number of 1 have a Bacon number of 2, and so on.

The lower the Bacon number, the closer the relationship with Kevin Bacon. The game of connecting actors to Kevin Bacon within 6 degrees has spread globally.

Determining the Highest Bacon Number

While most Hollywood actors have a Bacon number between 1 and 3, some lesser-known actors and non-performers have numbers exceeding 6.

The highest verified Bacon number belongs to Civil War officer William R. Shafter, at 10 degrees of separation.

This is quite a jump from the original 6 degrees concept! Let’s break down Shafter’s Bacon number path:

• 1st degree: Shafter was in a silent film with Joseph Wheeler.

• 2nd degree: Wheeler was in a different film with Russell A. Alger.

• 3rd degree: Alger was in another film with President William McKinley.

• 4th degree: McKinley appeared in a motion picture with Nelson A. Miles.

• 5th degree: Miles was in a movie with William F. Cody.

• 6th degree: Cody worked on a film with Pawnee Bill.

• 7th degree: Pawnee Bill acted alongside Wheeler Oakman.

• 8th degree: Oakman was in a movie with Jerry Gardner.

• 9th degree: Gardner appeared in Natural Born Killers with Pruitt Taylor Vince.

• 10th degree: Vince acted in a film alongside Kevin Bacon.

And there you have it – the 10 degrees of separation between William R. Shafter and Kevin Bacon! This demonstrates just how far the connections can span between obscure figures and Hollywood.

Other Contenders for Highest Bacon Number

While Shafter’s 10-degree Bacon number is the most widely accepted highest number, some other contenders emerge by digging deep into early cinema and foreign films.

For example, silent film actor Qadir Ali Baig is estimated to have a Bacon number of 12 based on his appearance in a 1925 movie made in India. Indian actor Anil Kapoor is also thought to have a high Bacon number between 10 and 11.

However, documenting the precise paths for these claims can be challenging. Shafter’s full 10-degree separation is better verified through reliable sources.

So while others may potentially tie or exceed Shafter’s Bacon number, he remains the definitive record holder for now.

Lowest and Average Bacon Numbers in Hollywood

On the other end of the spectrum, Kevin Bacon himself holds the lowest possible Bacon number at 0.

For well-known contemporary actors, numbers ranging from 1 to 3 are common. Some examples:

• Julia Roberts: 2

• Tom Cruise: 2

• Leonardo DiCaprio: 2

• Jennifer Lawrence: 2

• Robert Downey Jr.: 2

• Scarlett Johansson: 2

• Dwayne Johnson: 3

As you can see, most A-listers are within handshaking distance of Kevin Bacon in movie land. Character actors feature more prominently in the higher degrees of separation.

In general, the average Bacon number for Hollywood performers hovers between 2 and 3. Extremes like Shafter’s 10 are rare outliers.

Why Bacon Numbers Matter in Hollywood

While it may seem silly, Bacon numbers represent prestige and connections in entertainment. They show how far an actor’s network reaches.

Low Bacon numbers also indicate longevity and productivity. The more projects someone has worked on, the more likely they are to have collaborated with a co-star of Kevin Bacon.

High Bacon numbers are more common among up-and-comers and foreign actors whose networks don’t overlap much with prolific Hollywood figures.

So next time you watch a movie, consider the cast’s Bacon numbers! It reveals a lot about their industry clout and career reach.

The Lasting Pop Culture Impact

The six degrees concept has infiltrated pop culture and everyday speech. Saying someone is “a few degrees removed” refers back to the Kevin Bacon number model.

Google even has a “Bacon number calculator” that automatically determines degrees of separation from the actor. You can instantly find the Bacon number for any performer with a Google search.

This lasting fame shows that, for better or worse, Kevin Bacon will forever be the center of the Hollywood universe. All actors strive for that elusive “1 degree” of separation from the prolific star.

The Bottom Line

While most celebrities have low Bacon numbers, Civil War figure William R. Shafter holds the record for the highest at 10 degrees. This demonstrates the expansiveness of the six degrees concept.

Next time you watch a film, consider the cast’s proximity to Kevin Bacon. Their Bacon number says a lot about their status in Hollywood’s interconnected universe!