Kevin Bacon says he is temporarily adopting a different surname as part of a new animal welfare campaign, and the reason behind it is not what many would expect.
The 67-year-old actor, whose credits include A Few Good Men, Friday the 13th, and X-Men: First Class, is swapping out his famous surname for “Bean” as part of a tongue-in-cheek effort to encourage people to eat more beans and less meat on Wednesdays.
The campaign, called “Beansday,” was launched by Humane World for Animals, the organization formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. It asks people to make a simple weekly swap by choosing beans instead of meat every Wednesday.
Bacon is teaming up with Humane World for Animals for the initiative, and the organization says the stunt is designed to make plant-based eating feel approachable, funny and easy to remember.
Promotional material for the campaign shows the actor wearing a jacket covered in a bean pattern while holding up a single bean.
When explaining why he signed on, Bacon said:
“I just thought it seemed like such a funny idea.
“I love animals. I thought it was a clever and funny idea; anything that can kind of shake up our everyday approach to food and eating animals is just an interesting kind of twist.”
The Frost/Nixon star also said the joke works because his surname has prompted plenty of comments over the years.
“Some people have actually asked me if I’ve changed my name to ‘Bacon.’ I think to myself, ‘Well, what kind of lunatic would want to suffer a lifetime of food jokes?’’ he joked.
While the surname swap is only for the campaign, Bacon said he has actually had more issue with his first name than his last.
“I don’t mind the name ‘Bacon,’ but I don’t like the name ‘Kevin.’ I’ve never liked that name,” he said.
As part of the launch, Bacon is being referred to as Kevin “Bean,” with the playful rename featured in a social-first public service announcement rolling out across platforms. Humane World for Animals also launched a Beansday hub with a pledge for supporters and plant-based recipes aimed at making the weekly swap easier.
As for why he believes the switch is worthwhile, he said:
“They’re packed with protein and fiber, they keep you full longer, you save money and animals, they’re just beans till you realize how many animals they spare.
“Observing Beans Day is a small step and makes a big difference. Take it from me, Kevin Bean.”
Bacon also spoke about the value of spending time with animals, describing it as soothing.
“It’s like that connection that you have to just go and spend a little time with a horse or a goat or a pig. I love the pigs, I’m crazy about them,” he said.