Remember When Kenny Rogers Made His Film Debut?
Kenny Rogers had acted in a long string of television movies, but he made his film debut on the big screen in 1982 in a now somewhat forgotten film called Six Pack.
Rogers was at the peak of his commercial success when he took on the role, coming off a run of hits that included "The Gambler," "Lady," "I Don't Need You" and "Through the Years." Rogers played the lead role in Six Pack of Brewster Baker, a down-on-his-luck race car driver who inadvertently ends up involved with a group of orphans. Through a series of misadventures he forms a bond with the kids, and by the end of the movie he finds love, the orphans find a home, and Baker makes a successful comeback as a racer.
Rogers was surrounded by a supporting cast for his film debut that included Diane Lane, Erin Gray, future Northern Exposure star Barry Corbin and a pre-Sixteen Candles Anthony Michael Hall, and the race scenes near the end of Six Pack were shot at real-life NASCAR raceways and featured cameos from a long list of NASCAR drivers appearing as themselves.
Six Pack was released on July 16, 1982, and grossed more than $20 million at the box office for Rogers' first film, and Rogers scored a No. 1 hit from the soundtrack with "Love Will Turn You Around."
As an interesting footnote to the movie, Six Pack spun off into a short-lived TV sitcom the following year, with a pre-Miami Vice Don Johnson in Rogers' role and also featuring Markie Post and a young Joaquin Phoenix, billed as Leaf Phoenix.
Rogers would go on to a long acting career, most notably in a franchise of made-for-TV movies based on "The Gambler." He died on March 20, 2020, at the age of 81 at his Atlanta-area home, surrounded by his family. According to a statement, Rogers died of natural causes.
See Inside Kenny Rogers' Staggering Califonia Mansion:
Kenny Rogers' Atlanta Mansion Is Also a Stunner:
Kenny Rogers' OTHER Atlanta Mansion Is Incredible, Too:
More From KLAW-FM
![Tops in Texas: Curtis Grimes, Josh Ward Battle for No. 1](http://townsquare.media/site/111/files/2017/07/Grimes-and-Ward.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Dustin Lynch on His Third Studio Album: ‘We’re Just Splitting Hairs Right Now’](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2017/07/dustin-lynch-small-town-boy-video.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Remember When Dollywood Opened Its Doors?](http://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2017/07/dollywood-opens.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Remember When Florida Georgia Line Signed Their First Record Deal?](http://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2017/07/florida-georgia-line-republic-records-deal.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Josh Turner: Grandmother, Children, Faith Are His Inspirations](http://townsquare.media/site/623/files/2010/02/josh-turner-why-dont-we-just-dance-lyrics1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Matt Stillwell Aims to Inspire Kids on Badges for Baseball Tour](http://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2017/07/Matt-Stillwell.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Glen Campbell ‘Has No Idea That He Has an Album Out,’ Daughter Says](http://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2017/07/glen-camphell-new-album-alzheimers.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Remember Which Country Singer Ran for Political Office?](http://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2017/07/sammy-kershaw.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lukas Nelson, Lady Gaga Join for Gritty New Duet ‘Find Yourself’ [Listen]](http://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2017/07/lukas-nelson-lady-gaga.jpg?w=980&q=75)