Six Degrees of Separation

Top 10 Fun Facts

1. Six Degrees of Separation was inspired by 1980s American con artist David Hampton who milked a group of wealthy Manhattanies out of thousands of dollars by convincing them he was someone he wasn't. Hard to believe such a monumental con could be successful in present day New York, right Bernie Madoff?
2. David Hampton infamous ruse depicted in Six Degrees of Separation began when he and a friend tried to skirt the velvet rope at New York's Studio 54. To gain entry, Hampton introduced himself as Sidney Poitier's son. This is more proof that celebrity name-dropping can easily render doormen blind. As pretty as Hampton may have been, all of Poitier's six children were girls.
3. David Hampton benefited from the generosity of such notables as designer Calvin Klein and Dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism Osborn Elliot. Working Girl Melanie Griffith was also worked over by the notorious con man.
4. Con Artist David Hampton attempted to use the success of Six Degrees of Separation for his own advantage by giving press interviews, gate-crashing parties and making harassing phone calls to the play's writer. Hampton is no relation to Lindsay Lohan.
5. While discussing his thesis with Geoffrey, Paul made fun of the Lord of the Rings books. Eight years later, Ian McKellan, who portrayed Geoffrey in the film, took on the role of Gandolf in the Lord of the Rings movies. To bad he couldn't see into the future and said "YOU SHALL NOT PASS.... YOUR THESIS!"
6. The character of Doug in Six Degrees of Separation was played by J.J. Abrams. But like all actors, "what he really wanted to do was produce." And so he did. Mega TV Producer J.J. Abrams' shows include Felicity, Six Degrees, Fringe, Alias, and a little show called Lost.
7. Six Degrees of Separation refers to the theory that everyone is, at most, six people away from any other person on Earth. That's right, it is more than just a "Facebook Experiment."
8. Real life con-artist David Hampton was the basis for the character of Paul. Hampton passed away on July 18, 2003 because of AIDS-related complications.
9. Six Degrees of Separation, not to be confused with Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, is adapted from the play of the same name by John Guare.
10. Six Degrees of Separation features cameo appearances by members of New York's "High Society", including Kitty Carlisle Hart and the artist Chuck Close. Don't know who they are? Don't worry, I don't either. I guess they are too high in society.

Cast

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