In Jami O’Brien’s supernatural television series Joe Hill, whose novel of the same name served as the basis for AMC's NOS4A2, created the character exclusively for the TV show, and specifically had Savini in mind for the role.
Tom Savini is known for his work on Dawn Of The Dead (1978), Friday The 13th (1980), and Day Of The Dead (1985). Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the horror icon has worked extensively with the late George A. Romero, and currently runs Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program through the Douglas Education Center. The King family—which includes Hill's father, Stephen King—has known Savini for a long time. Joe Hill was deeply impacted by his mannerisms and presence, so much so that he knew he wanted Savini to play Old Snake in NOS4A2. In season 2, episode 3, “The Night Road”, he appears to be half-human, half-reptilian hybrid with scales, fangs, and snake eyes. Most importantly, Old Snake is wearing an iconic Tom Savini leather jacket.
With his relationship to the King-Hill family and his influence on the character, he became a shoe-in for the character of Old Snake. Even deeper than that, Tom Savini’s acting talents, directorial experience, and tenure in the realm of special effects make-up solidified the fact that he was the perfect choice for the role.
Horror Icon Tom Savini Is The Perfect Old Snake
NOS4A2 introduced Old Snake as a rough around the edges tough guy who frequents the inscape bar known as Parnassus. As Charlie Manx talks with him, the audience quickly discovers that even the villainous Manx is skeptical about keeping the man as company. Old Snake appears to bend to vices such as drinking, smoking, and gambling. He is everything Manx would deem as “naughty” and, therefore, must be avoided. While Old Snake only appears for a few moments in “The Night Road”, he makes a lasting impact because of how dangerous he seems to be to Manx, who is otherwise terrifying.
This is not the first time Tom Savini has made an appearance in a Joe Hill story, as he portrays the locksmith in the Netflix show Locke & Key. It's likely that Hill had him in mind for Old Snake due to his previous roles as an actor; his range only enhances what Savini already knows from decades of working in special effects make-up. Savini is a master of knowing how to create a creature, monster, demon, or zombie. This knowledge alone allows him to relate to how the character should be portrayed, and what its presence is supposed to resemble. Old Snake was initially modeled after Savini, but if anyone else were to attempt to act as the mysterious character, it likely would not have made such a lasting impression as it did. Beyond that, Savini already played a character who bears some resemblance to Old Snake with his portrayal of "Sex Machine" in From Dusk Till Dawn.
Ultimately, it was never a question as to who would be the perfect person to portray Old Snake. It was always meant for Tom Savini to play the humanoid hybrid. Since he hasn't reappeared since “The Night Road”, the future of Tom Savini’s Old Snake in NOS4A2 is unknown. However, the fact that he's an original character—and clearly important enough to Hill to bring in an old friend—means he could return at a later stage in season 2 or beyond.