Gary Busey

William Gary Busey (born June 29, 1944 in Goose Creek, Texas) is an American film actor.

Related Topics:
June 29 - 1944 - Goose Creek, Texas - American - Film - Actor

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He began his show-business career as a drummer in The Rubber Band. He also starred in a local television comedy show called Mazeppa in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Related Topics:
Drummer - The Rubber Band - Tulsa, Oklahoma

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In film, Busey is often cast as a rebel. Many consider his most noteworthy role to be his portrayal of Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story, for which he received an Oscar nomination. Among other roles, he also starred in the film adaptation of Stephen Kings Cycle of the Werewolf, Silver Bullet, and starred opposite Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon.

Related Topics:
Buddy Holly - The Buddy Holly Story - Oscar - Stephen King - Cycle of the Werewolf - Silver Bullet - Mel Gibson - Lethal Weapon

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Busey attended Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, where he became interested in acting. He is listed as one of the university's "outstanding alumni." Busey began his career in television guest roles. For example, he was the last person killed on the last episode of Bonanza.

Related Topics:
Pittsburg State University - Pittsburg - Kansas - Bonanza

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On December 4th, 1988, Busey was severely injured in a motorcycle accident in which he was not wearing a helmet. His skull was fractured and doctors feared he suffered permanent brain damage. Busey made a remarkable recovery, however, and encouraged all cyclists to wear helmets. Busey had been a heavy drug user, and in 1995 almost died from a cocaine overdose. Only prompt medical attention saved his life; he narrowly escaped going to jail. Busey claimed that he suffered a terrifying near death experience in which he saw hell and the devil. He was so affected that he announced he had become a born-again Christian. He joined a group called Promise Keepers and preached against drug abuse.

Related Topics:
1988 - Motorcycle - Brain damage - 1995 - Cocaine - Hell - The devil - Born-again Christian - Promise Keepers

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In 1990, Busey co-starred next to Danny Glover in Predator 2.

Related Topics:
1990 - Danny Glover - Predator 2

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In the summer of 2003, Busey starred in the 13-episode reality show I'm with Busey on Comedy Central.

Related Topics:
2003 - Reality show - I'm with Busey - Comedy Central

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Often, people confuse Busey with Nick Nolte, much the same way they confuse Bill Paxton with Bill Pullman.

Related Topics:
Nick Nolte - Bill Paxton - Bill Pullman

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Busey is now also known to younger people for his cameo appearance on The Simpsons. Appearing in a police information video, Busey (as himself) explains restraining orders to the viewer, peppering his lecture with bouts of loud laughter at hilariously inappropriate moments. He even mocks himself, claiming that the reason he knows so much about restraining orders is because he has been the subject of twelve of them, his crime apparently "being too real."

Related Topics:
Cameo appearance - The Simpsons - Restraining order

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He is the father of actor Jake Busey.

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Busey appeared on a recent (July 19,2005) episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno promoting his fitness show (as the second guest), and amused the audience and primary guest U.S. Senator John McCain with an extended philosophical explanation of his oxymoronic phrase: "hidden reality revealed."

Related Topics:
July 19 - The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - U.S. Senator - John McCain - Philosophical - Oxymoron

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He is also famous for his "Buseyisms." For example, the word "sober" becomes "Son Of a Bitch Everything's Real," while "doubt" becomes "Debating On Understanding Bewildering Thoughts." "Romance" becomes "Relying On Magnificent And Necessary Compatible Energy."

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Busey is currently on the VH1 show Celebrity Fit Club 2.

Related Topics:
VH1 - Celebrity Fit Club

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