Gary Busey

Along with Werner Klemperer, he is one of only two actors to appear in all three of the longest running prime time scripted series in US television history: Gunsmoke (1955), The Simpsons (1989) and Law & Order (1990).

Attended Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas in the early 1960s.

A blond-haired, fair-complexioned actor with a toothy grin and capable of an unsettling glint in his eyes, Gary Busey was born in Goose Creek, Texas, and was raised in Oklahoma. He is the son of Sadie Virginia (Arnett), a homemaker, and Delmar Lloyd Busey, a construction design manager. He has English, as well as Irish, Scottish, and German, ancestry. He graduated from Nathan Hale High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1962 and for a while was a professional musician. A talented drummer, he played in several bands, including those of country-and-western legends Leon Russell, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson.

Busey's first film appearance was as a biker in the low-budget Angels Hard as They Come (1971) and, over the next few years, he landed several film roles generally as a country hick/redneck or surly, rebellious types.

Has appeared with Ed Lauter in four films: Dirty Little Billy (1972), The Magnificent Seven Ride! (1972), The Last American Hero (1973) and Lolly-Madonna XXX (1973).

His real breakthrough came in the dynamic film The Buddy Holly Story (1978), with Busey taking the lead role as Buddy Holly, in addition to playing guitar and singing all the vocals! His stellar performance scored him a Best Actor nomination and the attention of Hollywood taking overcasting agents.

Next up, he joined fellow young actors William Katt and Jan-Michael Vincent as surfing buddies growing up together in the cult surf film Big Wednesday (1978), directed by John Milius. However, a string of appearances in somewhat mediocre films took him out of the spotlight for several years, until he played the brutal assassin Mr.

The March 10, 1982, issue of Variety announced the film "The Glory Road", directed by Marjoe Gortner starring Gary Busey, Dabney Coleman, and Mary Crosby, started filming February 1, 1982, filming suspended February 8, 1982. The film went bankrupt and was never completed.

Joshua trying to kill Los Angeles cops Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in the runaway mega-hit Lethal Weapon (1987).

Nearly died of head injuries in a motorcycle accident in December 1988.

Further strong roles followed, including alongside Danny Glover once again in Predator 2 (1990).

Had a plum-sized tumor removed from his sinus cavity. [May 1997]

(June 9, 1998) Filed for divorce from Tiani Warden; later withdrawn.

(January 25, 1999) Arrested and released on bail after a fight with his wife, Tiani Warden.

Was considered for the role of Jay Pritchett on Modern Family (2009).

Has three children: actor-son Jake Busey (born William Gary Jacob Busey, Jr.), with Judy Busey, daughter Alectra "Ellie" Busey (born 1994) with Tracy Hutchinson, son Luke Samson Busey with Steffanie Busey (born February 23, 2010; weighing in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces). Luke's middle name, Sampson, is also his mother's maiden name.

In 2014, he won season 14 of Celebrity Big Brother (2001) in the United Kingdom. He is the first ever American to win the reality show.

He has published an autobiography: "Busey-isms". The book was released on September 7, 2018 (which would have been Buddy Holly's 82nd birthday).