Besides being present in the infamous Altamont Free Concert as documented in the film Gimme Shelter (1970), 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 the shit out of him. 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.
After what he called "a long and good life filled with adventure," Barger passed away from liver cancer at age 81.
Selected filmography:
- Hells Angels on Wheels as himself
- Hells Angels 69 as himself
- Gimme Shelter (1970) as himself in the archive footage of the Altamont Free Concert
- Sons of Anarchy as Lenny 'The Pimp' Janowitz
- Dead in 5 Heartbeats as Traders Bar Patron
Bibliography:
- 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
Sonny Barger's work provides examples of:
- As Himself: His film appearances in Hells Angels on Wheels and Hells Angels 69. Barger also served as an advisor in both films. He is also the central figure in Hunter S. Thompson's seminal 1967 book Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga.
- Non-Actor Vehicle: He is 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 image, he went on 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.
- Smoky Voice: Taken up to eleven due to the removal of his vocal cords after years of heavy smoking, which necessitated having to re-learn how to vocalise using the muscles in his esophagus and how to swallow food. This can be seen in a Sons of Anarchy episode
where he presses a button on his throat whenever he speaks. - Write What You Know: Given his experiences as the president of an outlaw biker club, most if not all of his works revolves around motorcycling.
