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Ralph Hubert “Sonny” Barger is an American actor and author. He is the founder and former president of the Oakland chapter of Hells Angels.
He was born October 8, 1938, in Modesto, California.
His mother abandoned him when he was just four months old and grew up along with his alcoholic father and an elder sister.
He dropped out of school at the age of 16 to serve in the United States Army.
In 1957, his motorcycle broke down during a ride and was helped by a member of Hells Angels.
That inspired him to form the Oakland, California chapter of Hell Angels Motorcycle Club.
Similarly, he is known for his onscreen work on the 1967 movie, Hells Angels on Wheels.
He also appeared in other movies and shows like Hell’s Angels Forever, Sons of Anarchy and Dead in 5 Heartbeats.
Apart from his work in movies, he has also authored a number of books about his life and motorcycles.
Some of his published works are Freedom: Credos from the Road, Hell’s Angel: The Autobiography Of Sonny Barger, 6 Chambers, 1 Bullet.
In 1982, Barger was diagnosed with throat cancer. Initially, the doctors gave him two weeks to live.
Following his successful vocal cords and laryngectomy procedure, he learned how to speak again using the throat muscles.
In 1988, he was convicted of scheming to blow up rival motorcycle clubhouse. Subsequently, he was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison.
As an adjudged criminal, he has no right to vote and own a gun.
On 25 June 2005, he got married to his long-time girlfriend, Zorana Barger.
As of 2018, he has collected an estimated net worth of $500K.