Gary Busey | From Cocaine Addiction to Sober Actor, Author & Musician.

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Gary was born in Goose Creek, Texas to a middle-class military family. He became active in football, where he got a college scholarship to Oklahoma State University. He became interested in acting and eventually starring in small roles, and exploring his love of music on recordings for musicians such as Leon Russell.

His first major role in his acting career was Kris Kristofferson’s manager in the blockbuster “A Star Is Born”. But his big breakthrough was playing the iconic Buddy Holly, in “The Buddy Holly Story”, where he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Since then, Gary has been acting for 51 years, starred in over 170 films, and has been playing music since 1962.

Along with his newfound fame, came excessive partying and drug use. Gary abused cocaine heavily, which led to overdoses and some of the lowest points of his life.

On December 4, 1988, Busey was severely injured in a motorcycle accident in which he was not wearing a helmet. His skull was fractured, and he suffered permanent brain damage. His road to recovery was tough. Eventually, Gary needed help. In 1996, Busey publicly announced that he was a Christian. Busey cites the motorcycle accident, as well as a 1995 cocaine overdose, as events that strengthened his religious faith.

During the filming of the second season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2008, Busey was referred to a psychiatrist on the show, Charles Sophy. Sophy suspected that Busey's brain injury has had a greater effect on him than realized. He described it as essentially weakening his mental "filters" and causing him to speak and act impulsively.

In writing his book “Buseyisms”, Gary was recorded using a tape recorder, just saying what was on his mind, and what phrases worked for him in positive ways. For example, his ‘Buseyism’ for the word ‘Sober’ is “Son of A Bitch Everything’s Real” He says the best way to stay sober is to get out of your own way.

Gary also shares some stories from some of his most famous roles and films, including Point Break, Rookie of The Year, Lethal Weapon, Under Seige & more.

This is Gary Busey in his own words, on Knockin’ Doorz Down.

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