What is Tom Hanks’ Bacon Number? Explained in Simple Terms

The concept of the “Bacon number” refers to the number of degrees of separation an actor has from acclaimed actor Kevin Bacon. It applies the idea of Six Degrees of Separation to the movie industry and was popularized by the game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. In this article, we’ll explain in simple terms what the Bacon number is and specifically look at Tom Hanks’ Bacon number.

What is a Bacon Number?

The Bacon number was created as a fun way to show how connected actors are in Hollywood. Here’s how it works:

• Kevin Bacon himself has a Bacon number of 0.
• Any actor who has been in a movie with Kevin Bacon has a Bacon number of 1.
• If an actor has not worked directly with Kevin Bacon but has worked with someone who has, then they have a Bacon number of 2.
• The higher the Bacon number, the further away from Kevin Bacon the actor is in terms of connections.

The Oracle of Bacon website even has a calculator that can determine any actor’s Bacon number for you, It’s a fun way to see how actors are linked in the movie industry

Determining Tom Hanks’ Bacon Number

Now let’s look at the specific example of Tom Hanks. According to the Oracle of Bacon, Tom Hanks has a Bacon number of 1.

This means Tom Hanks has worked directly with Kevin Bacon in a movie before.

Specifically, Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon appeared together in the 1995 film Apollo 13 Since Hanks acted in a movie with Bacon himself, he gets a Bacon number of 1

Had Tom Hanks never acted with Kevin Bacon directly but instead acted with an actor who had, his number would be 2. And so on for 3 4 and higher. But since he co-starred with Bacon, he gets the minimum Bacon number of 1.

Why Tom Hanks Has Such a Low Bacon Number

The fact that Tom Hanks has a Bacon number of just 1 is not surprising. As one of the most prolific and acclaimed actors of his generation, Hanks has co-starred with many other famous actors over his decades-long career.

In addition to starring in many ensemble films like Apollo 13, Hanks has simply amassed so many acting credits that he was bound to cross paths with Kevin Bacon sooner or later.

Also, Bacon himself is a prolific actor with many credits to his name. The more projects two actors have under their belts, the more likely they are to end up working together eventually.

Due to the longevity and productivity of both Hanks and Bacon’s careers, it was almost inevitable they would costar in at least one film.

Hanks’ Bacon number of 1 reflects his vast experience and interconnectedness with other actors in Hollywood.

Other Actors With a Bacon Number of 1

Tom Hanks is certainly not the only actor with a Bacon number of 1. According to the Oracle of Bacon database, hundreds of actors share this distinction.

Some other big names who have also worked with Kevin Bacon include:

• Meryl Streep
• George Clooney
• Brad Pitt
• Angelina Jolie
• Matt Damon
• Julianne Moore
• Robert De Niro
• Scarlett Johansson
• Nicole Kidman
• Colin Firth

As you can see, many of the biggest stars in Hollywood history have a Bacon number of 1. Given Kevin Bacon’s long career with over 100 acting credits, it’s no surprise he’s crossed paths on screen with so many other famous faces.

The Significance of Bacon Numbers

While it may seem silly, the concept of Bacon numbers actually does tell us something interesting about the film industry.

It quantifies in a fun way how interconnected actors really are, especially as time goes on. The veteran actors with the most credits usually end up with very low Bacon numbers, showing their extensive links to others in the field.