What Happened to Gary Busey? Everything About His Accident

Gary Busey Wiki

Gary Busey is an acclaimed American actor known for his remarkable performances. He was born on June 29, 1944. One of his notable roles was portraying Buddy Holly in the film “The Buddy Holly Story” released in 1978. This portrayal earned him a nomination for the prestigious Academy Award for Best Actor. Additionally, he was honored with the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor for his outstanding performance in the same film.

Throughout his career, Busey has taken on various leading roles in notable films. Some of these include “Gumball Rally” in 1976, “A Star is Born” in 1976, “D.C. Cab” in 1983, “Silver Bullet” in 1985, “Lethal Weapon” in 1987, “Predator 2” in 1990, “Point Break” in 1991, “Under Siege” in 1992, “Rookie of the Year” in 1993, “The Firm” in 1993, “Black Sheep” in 1996, and “Lost Highway” in 1997.

Gary Busey’s diverse range of roles and his ability to captivate audiences have solidified his reputation as a talented and accomplished actor in the American film industry.

What Happened to Gary Busey?

During an unfortunate incident on December 4, 1988, Gary Busey encountered a serious motorcycle accident that had significant consequences. Notably, he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. The accident resulted in a fractured skull and caused lasting damage to his brain, which is considered permanent.

Gary Busey’s unique way of speaking, known as “Buseyisms,” can be traced back to a significant event in his life. He experienced a life-changing motorbike accident that led to brain surgery for a subdural hematoma. During this surgery, Busey claims to have briefly died and crossed over to the spiritual realm, where he received profound information.

After returning, he found himself spontaneously generating words and definitions without conscious thought. This phenomenon has resulted in the creation of Buseyisms, which are characterized by his unconventional and spontaneous word choices.

What’s Wrong with Gary Busey?

Gary Busey experienced a severe motorcycle accident in December of 1988. It is not an exaggeration or a jest; the incident had serious consequences. In that unfortunate event, Busey was not wearing a helmet and collided headfirst with the concrete. As a result, his skull suffered a fracture, and he endured lasting brain damage, which explains his challenges with impulse control and his tendency to speak candidly without a filter, often expressing peculiar and offensive statements.

The fact that he survived such a traumatic incident is truly astonishing. I vividly recall hearing about the accident, especially since I was a fan of Busey during my teenage years, with “Silver Bullet” being one of my favorite films at the time. The news deeply saddened me, as I had genuine concerns about his survival.

Jake Busey, who is also an actor and happens to be Gary Busey’s son, has shared his perspective on the aftermath of the brain injury. He described the impact of the injury as intensifying his father’s personality to an extreme level, comparing it to turning the dial to “11.” It is undeniably heartbreaking to note that Jake has expressed a profound sense of loss, stating, “I feel like I lost my dad on December 4, 1988.”

Gary Busey Brother

R. David Busey was one of the brothers of Gary Busey. David Busey passed away in 2021 due to a heart attack, he was 65 at the time of his death. David Busey graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1970. David had a reunion with his brother Gary before a few days. Carol Barraza is another sibling of Gary Busey. More details about Carol Barraza are not known. 

Although certain situations, such as foster care, can lead to siblings being raised apart, the norm in most societies is for siblings to grow up together. It’s unknown whether David Busey, Gary Busey, and Carol Barraza were brought together.

Gary Busey Cameo

In 2005, Gary Busey took on the lead role in the horror film “The Gingerdead Man,” portraying both the titular character and the deranged killer named Millard Findlemeyer. The film showcased his acting skills in a chilling and terrifying role. Two years later, in 2007, Busey made a noteworthy appearance as himself in a recurring role on the popular HBO series “Entourage.”

In this role, he humorously parodied his own eccentric persona, adding a touch of self-awareness to the character. Busey’s appearances on “Entourage” spanned three episodes, leaving a memorable impression on the show’s viewers.

Continuing his ventures in the realm of reality television, Busey joined the cast of the second season of “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” in 2008. The show aimed to address the challenges faced by celebrities dealing with addiction, providing them with professional guidance and support. Busey’s participation in the series allowed viewers to witness a different side of him as he navigated the path to recovery.

In March 2009, Busey showcased his comedic talents as a roaster at the Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy. This event provided an opportunity for Busey to deliver sharp and humorous remarks as part of the comedic tradition of roasting. His presence added a lively and entertaining element to the show.

Gary Busey Accident 1988

​​​​​Gary Busey was involved in a severe motorcycle accident in December 1988 when he was 44 years old. The accident had serious consequences and left a lasting impact on his life.

Tragically, Busey was not wearing a helmet during the incident and collided headfirst with the concrete. This resulted in a skull fracture and permanent brain damage, which contributes to his struggles with impulse control and his tendency to speak candidly without a filter, often leading to the expression of peculiar and offensive statements.

The fact that Busey survived such a traumatic event is truly remarkable. As a fan of Busey during my teenage years, with “Silver Bullet” being one of my favorite films at the time, I distinctly remember hearing about the accident. The news deeply saddened me, as I genuinely feared for his survival and well-being.