Original Charles Manson TV actor recalls being typecast after 55 million watched CBS' Helter Skelter in 1976

Rolling Stone

Steve Railsback starred as Manson in the two-part 1976 CBS movie Helter Skelter, based on the bestselling book by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry. Railsback says he had a great time as the first actor to play Manson. “This sounds crazy, but I had a ball,” says Railsback, who is now 73. “People have asked me if I had to go to a psychiatrist afterward, but there I was, 29 years old, doing what I loved doing — acting. It was amazing.” But Railsback says the dream role didn't last long. "I was offered every killer in theatrical or television: ‘Get Railsback!’” he recalls. “I didn’t work for a year because I knew I’d be typecast.” It was fear of being typecast that led Railsback to turn down the villain role in the first Lethal Weapon film, a role that went to his friend Gary Busey.