The filming of My Bodyguard continued through the fall, and in the midst of shooting, Alex's previously filmed miniseries, Stephen King's Salem's Lot, premiered on television. The miniseries aired in two parts on CBS on November 17 and November 24, 1979, and was an undeniable success.
The broadcast commanded the attention of American viewers immediately. The first part, airing on November 17, secured a robust 20.4 household rating and a 33 share, making it the 8th most-watched program of the week. The conclusion, Part II, saw viewership climb even higher on November 24, achieving a significant 22.4 rating and a 35 share, rocketing it to the 5th highest-rated program for that week.
The success of Salem's Lot was validated by strong critical acclaim. Reviewers across major publications praised the miniseries for its chilling, effective atmosphere and Tobe Hooper's successful translation of Stephen King's dread to television. The critics noted that the film's success hinged on strong, specific characterizations that grounded the supernatural horror.
In addition to celebrating the film's overall quality, the reviews also praised the performance of Alex Hayes in the pivotal role of Mark Petrie.
Alex sat in the quiet of his hotel room in Chicago, the production break allowing him a moment of solitude. He held a newspaper clipping—a review from a major publication—and his thumb rested lightly on his own name printed in the text. The article lauded the miniseries as "genuinely frightening" and described his portrayal of Mark Petrie as "vulnerable and fiercely determined," crediting it as a key factor in making the horror believable.
A slow smile spread across his face. A quiet sense of satisfaction settled deep within him. Reading his name and getting his performance deemed "compelling" and "pivotal" confirmed that his work had earned real, tangible praise. That personal triumph was quickly followed by the first tingles of fame: since the miniseries aired, he'd been recognized on the streets once or twice, an utterly surreal feeling that was becoming his new reality.
The weeks that followed fell into a steady rhythm of early mornings and long days on set. The production team largely stuck to a chronological shooting schedule, which allowed Alex to experience Clifford's story unfolding much as it would in the final film. One day he might be filming the initial awkward encounters in the hallways, the next the more tense scenes with Moody and his gang. This approach helped him track Clifford's emotional journey, from the anxious new kid to someone gradually finding his footing. The energy on location at Lake View High School was palpable, a mix of focused work and the camaraderie that develops when a group of people are working towards a common goal. Alex found himself settling into the routine, learning the rhythms of a movie set, and building a comfortable rapport with the other actors.
After the confrontation with Moody and his cronies, Clifford was scared and researched Ricky Linderman. According to school legend, Linderman had killed several people, including his own little brother. Not believing the stories, Clifford consulted a teacher who claimed that the only violence she was aware of from Ricky's past occurred when his nine-year-old brother died accidentally while playing alone with a gun. Ricky was the first to find the body.
Despite the rumors, Clifford approached Ricky and asked him to be his bodyguard. He refused, but the boys became friends after Ricky saved him from a beating by Moody and his gang. He had emotional issues over the death of his brother, and although he was slow to trust Clifford, Ricky showed him a cherished motorcycle that he had been rebuilding. The friendship between them was strengthened as Clifford successfully helped Ricky search junkyards for a hard-to-find cylinder for the motorcycle's engine.
Through Clifford's friendship, Ricky came out of his shell, proving to a few classmates that he's not the killer the school rumors allege. As Clifford, Ricky, and a few other friends from school ate lunch in Lincoln Park, Moody and his gang approached. Moody had enlisted older bodybuilder Mike to be his bodyguard. He intimidated and physically abused Ricky, who refused to fight. Mike vandalized his motorcycle before Moody pushes it into the lagoon. Ricky runs away, ashamed and angry.
He later appeared at Clifford's hotel, asking for money before leaving again. Clifford followed him and they argued before Ricky finally revealed that it was he who accidentally shot his brother while playing with their father's gun, and lied about finding his brother afterward. As a result, he was overwhelmed with guilt and remorse, leaving Clifford behind as he took a subway train into the night.
Later, Moody was back at the park to continue bullying Clifford and his friends. Ricky was also there retrieving his motorcycle from the lagoon. Moody noticed, demanding the motorcycle, which Ricky silently refused.
Moody summoned Mike, who started to push and intimidate Ricky again.
The setting of Lincoln Park buzzed with the energy of the final days of shooting. That day was dedicated to the climactic fight scene by the lagoon. Tony Bill gathered the actors—Alex, Adam, Matt, and the actor playing Mike, Hank Salas—for a final briefing before they started rolling.
"Alright, guys," Tony began, his voice clear and focused. "For this fight, I want to keep it raw, real. Think about how high school kids actually fight. It's not going to be any fancy martial arts or anything overly choreographed. It's going to be clumsy, driven by adrenaline and emotion. Lots of grabbing, shoving, maybe some wild swings. We want it to feel authentic."
He looked at Matt and Adam. "Hank, you're the experienced bodybuilder, but Ricky's got a lot of pent-up feelings. Adam, let that desperation and protectiveness for Clifford drive your actions. And Alex, your part in the fight with Moody needs to feel hesitant at first, then a burst of unexpected courage. Remember, this isn't a trained boxer; it's a scared kid finding his inner strength."
The instructions were clear: no flashy moves, just a raw, amateur brawl fueled by teenage angst and loyalty. This approach resonated with Alex, making the scene feel more grounded and believable. He knew he could tap into Clifford's vulnerability and the reluctant bravery that had been building throughout the story to make this final confrontation impactful.
Ricky and Mike charged at each other, exchanging clumsy punches and grapples by the edge of the lagoon, while Clifford watched with a mix of fear and anticipation, and Moody egged Mike on with shouts of encouragement. Suddenly, Moody, seeing Ricky might have the upper hand, jumped in and grabbed Ricky from behind, holding him in a tight headlock. Enough was enough for Clifford. He charged at Moody, grabbing him and pulling him away from Ricky, and a clumsy fight between the two began. Just then, Ricky managed to break free and landed a final blow that knocked Mike unconscious. Turning his attention to Clifford's struggle with Moody, Ricky started yelling instructions, coaching Clifford on where to punch and how to move. Clifford, taking Ricky's desperate advice, landed a solid punch on Moody's face, and the satisfying crack of bone signaled the end of the fight as Moody's nose broke. Moody sat on the ground, humiliated, bleeding, and complaining, revealing himself to be a coward.
Ricky retrieved his motorcycle, and jokingly asked Clifford to be his bodyguard as they left with their friends.
"That's a wrap, everyone! The shooting of My Bodyguard is officially finished!" Tony Bill's voice boomed across Lincoln Park, his words met with a collective cheer from the cast and crew. A wave of relief and accomplishment washed over Alex. Weeks of early mornings, long hours, and intense scenes had culminated in this moment.
Alex felt a mix of emotions as the final scene wrapped. There was a sense of pride in having completed his first major film role. He had given it his all, embraced the character of Clifford, and navigated the challenges of a movie set. But there was also an underlying nervousness. He had just "written his first exam," and now it was up to the audience to "grade the results." The months ahead would be filled with anticipation, wondering how the movie would be received and if his performance would resonate with viewers. It was the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new, uncertain, but exciting one in his burgeoning career.