Kurt Sutter
Kurt Leon Sutter (born May 5, 1960) is an American screenwriter, director, producer, and actor. He worked as a writer, director, and executive producer on The Shield, and appeared on the show as hitman Margos Dezerian. Sutter is also the creator of Sons of Anarchy and its spinoff Mayans M.C. on FX; he wrote, produced, and directed the series, as well as played incarcerated club member Otto Delaney. Sutter spent time with members of an outlaw motorcycle club in Northern California as research for Sons of Anarchy.[2] Sutter's wife, actress Katey Sagal, played main character Gemma Teller.
Kurt Sutter
May 5, 1960[1]
- Screenwriter
- director
- producer
- actor
1980s–present
- The Shield
(2002–2008) - Sons of Anarchy
(2008–2014)
1
Early life[edit]
Sutter was born in Rahway, New Jersey. His father worked at the General Motors plant in Linden, New Jersey, and his mother was a secretary for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. He has two older sisters.[3] He grew up in the township of Clark, New Jersey[3] and graduated from Roselle Catholic High School in 1982.[3]
Sutter attended Livingston College for the journalism department of Rutgers University—which was located there—eventually graduating from Rutgers University with a BA in mass media with a minor in English in 1986. He moved to New York City and studied Meisner technique, did theater, and taught at the Gately/Poole Conservatory.[3] Sutter then attended Northern Illinois University for three years, starting in 1997, to obtain his M.F.A. in performance and directing.[3]
Projects in development[edit]
In May 2021, it was announced that Sutter would direct a horror film titled This Beast for Netflix.[19] In November 2021, it was announced that he would create a western series titled The Abandons for Netflix.[20]
Influences[edit]
Sutter has stated he's had multiple influences in his writing style, including William Shakespeare, specifically his play Hamlet. He based the characters of Sons of Anarchy on Hamlet. Other cultural influences include Mad Magazine, Hanna-Barbera cartoons, and the television show Hill Street Blues, among others.[21]
Personal life[edit]
Sutter moved to Los Angeles in 2000.[3] Sutter married actress Katey Sagal in a private ceremony on October 2, 2004, at their home in Los Feliz, California.[22] Their first child, daughter Esme Louise, was born January 10, 2007. Esme was carried by a surrogate mother.[23]
Sutter is an animal rights activist, and is vegan.[24] He is also a motorcycle enthusiast.[25]