From $150 a Month in a NYC “Flophouse” to a 40-Acre Farm with His Famous Wife

It’s hard to imagine now, but one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars once lived in a run-down New York apartment for just $150 a month. Long before farm animals, fresh veggies, and quiet country living, his world was about cheap rent, roommates, and chasing an almost impossible dream.

As a child, he was already enchanted by storytelling. Trips to the movie theater were followed by hours of dress-up, acting out scenes with his favorite toy: a box of old clothes his mother had saved. The seed of performance was planted early.

Chasing the Dream in New York

In 1976, the young aspiring actor left Philadelphia and moved to New York City, determined to break into show business. For a while, he crashed on his sister’s couch before answering a Village Voice ad for what he later described as a no-frills “artist’s residence.”

It wasn’t even a solo space—he split the room with a classical pianist, who became his roommate for four years. The sound of piano music often drifted through the tiny apartment at night, something he recalls fondly today.

He also enrolled at the Circle in the Square Theater School, immersing himself in the raw energy of stage life. “I wanted the real thing,” he later told Cosmopolitan, explaining how much the pursuit of art meant to him.

Breakthrough and Stardom

Those lean years eventually paid off. He went on to star in unforgettable films like Footloose, The Woodsman, and Beauty Shop. Audiences fell in love with his blend of rugged good looks, everyman charm, and on-screen intensity. Soon, his name was everywhere—Kevin Bacon had officially arrived.

From City Living to Farm Life

Today, Bacon’s life looks nothing like his early days in New York. Together with his wife, actress Kyra Sedgwick, he now calls a sprawling 40-acre farm in Sharon, Connecticut home. Their property is filled with goats, alpacas, miniature horses, and pigs, along with gardens overflowing with herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini.

“I love animals, they’re a joy to be around and very calming,” Bacon has said. The couple often shares glimpses of their farm life on social media—so much so that Sedgwick is now recognized almost as much for her goat-singing TikToks as for her acting career.

A Life Transformed

Bacon’s connection to the animals has even changed his diet—he no longer eats goat or pork, explaining, “It’s all about the animals.” His wife jokingly says she won’t let him adopt more creatures, since each new addition seems to eliminate another food from his plate.

Reflecting on his past, Bacon laughs at how different his life is now compared to those $150-a-month bachelor days. Back then, he didn’t even know how to cook—his pianist roommate inspired him to stop living off sandwiches and pizza.

Now, with decades of Hollywood success behind him, a loving marriage, and a farm full of animals, Kevin Bacon has crafted a life as grounded as it is extraordinary.

And he’s not alone—other stars, like Jennifer Garner, have also turned to farming, showing that sometimes, true happiness comes from going back to the land.