As a devoted reader and admirer of Stephen King’s work, I must admit that my fascination with his literary universe has only grown with the introduction of Richard Bachman, a character who seems to embody an entirely different facet of King’s creativity.
Ever since I published my debut novel, “Carrie,” back in 1974, it feels like everything I’ve written has turned into gold for me, figuratively speaking, of course! Many of my books have not only graced the top spots on the New York Times Bestseller list but have also been transformed into movies and TV series. In fact, I’m now trailing just behind the legendary William Shakespeare when it comes to the number of adaptations. As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel incredibly grateful for this remarkable journey.
King has consistently created a path of suspenseful terror throughout his writing journey, earning him the nickname “The Master of Horror.” Beyond horror, he’s dabbled in various genres such as fantasy, crime, science fiction, and mystery, producing captivating works including The Shawshank Redemption, 11/22/63, and The Green Mile.
Besides being an author, King is also well-known for his appreciation of movies and TV shows. This has led him to appear in various films and series, not all of which are based on his own works. Interestingly enough, it’s often argued that his most memorable cameo isn’t from a horror production; instead, it was as “Bachman,” a character in the hit crime drama, Sons of Anarchy.
A History of Stephen King’s Cameos
The renowned writer made his debut appearance in the film “Knightriders,” directed by George A. Romero. This movie centers around a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who earn their living by staging jousting tournaments at medieval festivals and selling special goods. In this film, he portrayed Hoagie Man, an enigmatic character often seen eating a hoagie in an unusual manner.
Due to his excellent collaboration with director Romero, King was given another acting role in the horror anthology movie Creepshow that he co-wrote. In this film, he played Jordy Verrill, a rural farmer who suffered an attack from alien plants.
According to Jessie Horsting’s book “Stephen King at the Movies”, the author portrayed acting as a straightforward occupation for Stephen King.
“I’ve been in a few college plays, so it’s not uncommon for me to stand up and act as if I’m something I’m not. It’s not particularly unusual.”
Over the subsequent years, King appeared in various film and television productions based on his works, including “Pet Sematary,” “Sleepwalkers,” “Golden Years,” “The Stand,” “Thinner,” “The Langoliers,” the “The Shining” miniseries, “Rose Red,” “Storm of the Century,” “Kingdom Hospital,” “Mr. Mercedes,” “Under the Dome,” and “It: Chapter Two.”
In terms of his TV appearances, he was featured on The Simpsons, Fever Pitch, and Frasier, but his role in Sons of Anarchy is particularly notable compared to other guest spots.
Who Does Stephen King Play in Sons of Anarchy?
The storyline of Sons of Anarchy primarily focuses on the activities of SAMCRO, a motorcycle gang situated in the less-than-desirable town of Charming. This town is characterized by its run-down appearance and the harsh realities of violence are deeply felt here.
As I sit down to share my thoughts on this gritty, action-packed series, I find myself reflecting on the intriguing world of “Sons of Anarchy.” This captivating tale revolves around a motorcycle club, a brotherhood that’s as entangled in illegal activities as they are in feuds with rival gangs.
Regrettably, Jax’s journey towards morality is proving challenging because the organization he’s involved with has deep connections to the criminal underworld, and there are some questionable individuals within its ranks who prefer violence over dialogue.
In the third season’s episode titled “Caregiver,” King is introduced as Bachman, a skilled cleaner from Crescent City. Known for his ability to dispose of bodies swiftly, he is brought in to manage the body of a caregiver who had fatally stabbed herself during an altercation with Jax’s mother, Gemma.
King’s Sons of Anarchy Cameo Wasn’t Unexpected
Martin Scorcese’s brief role in Sons of Anarchy didn’t come as much of a shock, given his previous involvement with biker culture in Knightriders. However, the details behind his casting are quite interesting…
On his personal website, the actor describes how his fondness for the show preceded the opportunity for a cameo. While in Los Angeles to receive a literary accolade, he crossed paths with the show’s creator, Kurt Sutter. Sutter mentioned that he had a role tailored for a renowned horror figure, and the actor was thrilled about the prospect as it marked a break from his usual roles.
Previously, most of his roles were portraying rural personas. What clinched it for him was being told that he’d get to ride a Harley in the part, which sealed the deal.
Great Characterization, Coupled with King’s Wonderful Time on Set, Makes This His Best Cameo
Stephen King’s character in Sons of Anarchy carries an overall aura of creativity. Notably, his cleaner character is named after one of King’s darker aliases, Richard Bachman. During the late ’70s and early ’80s, King, being quite prolific, wrote numerous horror novels under this pseudonym as publishers expected authors to release only one book per year.
Additionally, the author was curious if his post-Carrie fame was due to his innate talent or simply because he had already established a prominent reputation. However, it turned out that he was revealed as Bachman prematurely and so couldn’t determine the answer. King’s character named Bachman in the crime series was thus an amusing nod to his dedicated fans.
1. In contrast to other roles Stephen King has taken on, Bachman is uniquely distinct among fictional cleaners and stands out from characters King himself has portrayed in films like “Rose Red” and “Thinner.” In these productions, King’s appearances are minimal and limited to delivering pizza in the former and handing over medicine in the latter. Over time, his cameos have primarily been similar to those of Hitchcock, serving more as a directorial nod to the audience rather than providing substantial character development.
In the TV series “Sons of Anarchy“, he skillfully portrays his transformation from a reckless individual to a thoughtful one, a change reflected both in his spoken dialogues and the assured way he carries out actions.
In a striking display, Bachman arrives dramatically on a bicycle, offering an allure typically absent from his other screen personas. The raw and somewhat breathless scenario captivates with a compelling feeling of the here and now.
Subsequently, he showcases his mathematical prowess, an unusual trait among fictional cleaners. He uses a measuring tape to assess each bodily feature and checks their temperature. Following this, he records every observation in a notepad and compiles a list of required items.
During negotiations, Bachman demonstrates a more compassionate and flexible approach than his peers. Rather than adopting a threatening “take it or leave it” stance, he decides to reduce his share of the payment from $3000 to $1600. To offset this balance, he chooses several valuable items from the house, including a pair of golden praying hands that had been damaged (a clever way to dispose of potential evidence).
Bachman, just like other characters created by Stephen King, stands out with his profound sayings. Later on, when Gemma inquires about the caregiver’s whereabouts, the housekeeper provides a fitting response.
“Where’s who?”
Job done!
King Had a Great Time and Got to Act With Past Collaborators
In terms of personal feelings, King has never expressed such positive sentiments about working on a production as he did following his stint on the FX series. In an interview with Tudum, he admitted to having a fantastic time.
“My finest moment was doing a cameo in
Sons of Anarchy,
and I got to ride a motorcycle.”
The encounter was particularly memorable as the author collaborated with numerous individuals he already knew. Ron Perlman, who starred in two of the author’s adaptations (Sleepwalkers and the TV version of Desperation), and director Billy Gierhart, who worked on The Mist, were among them.
On his website, the author also praised the toys:
The bike was just short of awesome: a bright red Harley-Davidson Road-Glide. A little tricked-out for my taste, and if I’d dropped it I never would have been able to pick it up, but I would have been glad to take it home (sadly, no deal). All black clothes, bright red sled—can’t do much better than that.
It’s clear that King really enjoyed himself. Let’s cross our fingers for more appearances by him in future crime dramas!
Sons of Anarchy
is available to stream on Hulu
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2024-08-26 00:02