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Stephen King, a literary maestro with a career spanning decades, stands among the most prolific writers of our time. Since his debut with “Carrie” in 1974, King has sold hundreds of millions of books and penned numerous titles. Just two years post-publication, “Carrie” was brought to life on the big screen by director Brian De Palma, featuring Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie. This adaptation marked the beginning of a long line of King’s works transitioning to film, though his screenplay contributions were often set aside, with the notable exception of the 1989 “Pet Sematary.” Beyond writing, King has appeared in over two dozen roles, including cameos in “Pet Sematary” and “Maximum Overdrive,” as well as the TV miniseries “The Stand” and “The Shining.” Despite two voice roles as himself on “The Simpsons,” King declined a chance to feature in the Season 34 “Treehouse of Horror” special.
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Fans of “Frasier,” the beloved “Cheers” spin-off, might remember another fleeting voice appearance by King. In the Season 8 episode “Mary Christmas,” Dr. Frasier Crane, portrayed by Kelsey Grammer, fields two calls before a news break. The first is from a character named Tom, voiced by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. The second caller, Brian, speaks briefly from his car phone, with King infusing his voice with impatient grumpiness.
While King’s cameo on “Frasier” didn’t make the cut for the show’s most unexpected call-in appearances, it possibly reignited interest in him among casting directors. Interestingly, more than half of King’s 31 IMDb acting credits were acquired after this quick stint. His later roles include a part in “Sons of Anarchy” and various voice roles, such as playing himself in a 2021 “Duncanville” episode. Though the show has since been canceled, this remains King’s latest acting credit. Yet, the 78-year-old author continues his relentless writing journey, with his latest novel, “Never Flinch,” scheduled for release in May 2025. Meanwhile, his stories keep captivating audiences, with “The Long Walk” now available for streaming and Edgar Wright’s action-packed adaptation of “The Running Man” forthcoming.
Reflecting on his “Sons of Anarchy” cameo, King shared on his website the delight of working with the talented cast and riding a Harley-Davidson. “I was particularly pleased to meet Charlie Hunnam (Jax) and Ron Perlman,” he wrote, adding that he secured signed “Hellboy” photos for his grandsons. “I also got to act with Katey Sagal, who plays Gemma, the scary matriarch of the Sons clan, and Kim Coates, who plays Tig. They treated me like a professional, which I most assuredly am not.”
King still takes on-camera and voice roles
Despite his humble self-assessment, King’s filmography suggests otherwise, even if his acting hasn’t garnered Emmy or Oscar buzz. His writing prowess, however, has earned him two Primetime Emmy nominations for adapting “The Shining” and “The Stand” into miniseries. Regardless of award recognition, King’s fans continue to relish his on-screen and voice appearances, adding another layer of enjoyment to his already captivating narratives.
In a post to his website discussing his “Sons of Anarchy” appearance, King said he jumped at both the chance to work with the accomplished cast, and ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. “I was particularly pleased to meet Charlie Hunnam (Jax) and Ron Perlman,” King wrote. “I got signed ‘Hellboy’ photos for my three grandsons; pretty nice … I also got to act with Katey Sagal, who plays Gemma, the scary matriarch of the Sons clan, and Kim Coates, who plays Tig. They treated me like a professional, which I most assuredly am not.”
His filmography would suggest otherwise, even if none of his acting performances have been particularly Emmy or Oscar-worthy. He does have two Primetime Emmy nominations for writing the miniseries adaptations of “The Shining” and “The Stand,” but fans of King’s writing always get a kick out of his live-action and voice appearances, even if award committees don’t.
