Sonny Barger

Ralph Hubert "Sonny" Barger (October 8, 1938 - June 29, 2022) was an American author, actor and outlaw biker who founded the Oakland charter of the Hells Angels, having been made national president in 1958 after the Oakland Hells Angels amalgamated with other similarly-named clubs throughout California.

Besides being present in the infamous Altamont Free Concert as documented in the film Gimme Shelter, Barger, along with several Hells Angels, have played themselves in Hells Angels on Wheels and Hells Angels 69, and his exploits have earned the attention of noted Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, who rode along with the Hells Angels until the gang beat him up due to an altercation. Thompson's book about the gang cemented Barger's reputation as the face of the club and the de facto spokesman, having represented the club during incidents involving them.

Barger became a best-selling author in his later years with his autobiography, Hell’s Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. He also wrote a number of biker-related novels and non-fiction books about motorcycling in general.

Barger passed away on June 29, 2022 from liver cancer after "a long and good life filled with adventure."


 * As Himself: His film appearances in Hells Angels on Wheels and Hells Angels '69. Barger also served as an advisor in both films.
 * Non-Actor Vehicle: He was known more for his exploits as an outlaw biker, though he did make a career as an occasional actor.
 * Irony: Barger stated in one of his books that he would prefer riding a Honda or a BMW due to workmanship issues associated with Harley-Davidsons. While he and other Angels members are obliged to ride Harleys as part of their club's arguably patriotic "all-American" image, he went on record to say "Fuck Harley-Davidson."
 * Implausible Deniability: While he and his club have continuously asserted that they are only a group of motorcyclists banded by a shared preference with American motorcycles and their concept of freedom (and that any criminal actions are, according to them, isolated incidents), works involving him or authored by him typically show a more sinister aspect of outlaw biker clubs, most notably Sons of Anarchy where Barger played the role of an incarcerated SAMCRO member. By that point his and the Angels' criminal notoriety are an Open Secret, though they still do insist that they are far from criminal.
 * Write What You Know: Given his experiences as the president of an outlaw biker club, most of his works revolves around motorcycling.


 * Hells Angels on Wheels as himself
 * Hells Angels '69 as himself
 * Sons of Anarchy as Lenny 'The Pimp' Janowitz
 * Dead in 5 Heartbeats as Traders Bar Patron


 * Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club
 * Ridin' High, Livin' Free: Hell-Raising Motorcycle Stories
 * Dead in 5 Heartbeats
 * Freedom: Credos from the Road
 * 6 Chambers, 1 Bullet
 * Let's Ride: Sonny Barger's Guide to Motorcycling