Gary Busey Then & Now: Photos Of The ‘Buddy Holly Story’ Star In Honor Of His 78th Birthday

By:

Elissa Anderson

June 29, 2023 11:00AM EDT

Gary Busey is a great actor & in honor of his birthday on June 29, see his best photos here.

1 of 16

Gary Busey: Then & Now

Gary Busey: Then & Now — Gary Busey, born June 29, 1944 in Goose Creek, Texas, is an actor, known for his intense performances and impressive acting range. After first dabbling in music with The Rubber Band and a band called Carp, he made his acting debut ‘Thunderbolt and Lightfoot’ starring Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges.

In 1978, he starred as rock legend Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story, which earned him an Oscar nomination. From there, roles included the critically acclaimed western ‘Barbarosa’, ‘D.C. Cab’, ‘Insignificance, ‘Silver Bullet’, ‘Lethal Weapon’ in the 80s. In the 1990s, he had prominent supporting roles in action blockbusters like as ‘Predator 2’, ‘Point Break’, and ‘Under Siege’.

He also appeared in ‘Rookie of the Year’, ‘The Firm’, ‘Black Sheep’, ‘Lost Highway’, and ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’. Most recently, he star as God in the Off-Broadway musical ‘Only Human’ in 2019 and in May 2002 his reality court show ‘Gary Busey Pet Judge’ debuted.

Gary has had quite the career over the past 5 decades. Here, Gary smiles on the red carpet at the premiere of ‘Dead Ant’ in Los Angeles on Jan. 22, 2019. Want to see more of Mr. Busey through the years? Click through our gallery!

2 of 16

‘The Last American Hero’

‘The Last American Hero’ — A young Jeff Bridges (left) and Gary Busey (right) appear in 1973’s ‘The Last American Hero’. The movie is about a young hellraiser who quits his moonshine business to try to become the best NASCAR racer the south has ever seen.

3 of 16

‘A Star Is Born’

‘A Star Is Born’ — Gary Busey was in the 1976 version of ‘A Star Is Born’, picked directly by Barbra Streisand and her producer-boyfriend Jon Peters to play Bobby Ritchie, the road manager to Kris Kristofferson’s character. On the DVD commentary of the film, Streisand says Busey was great and that she had seen him on a TV series and thought he had the right qualities to play the role.

4 of 16

Gary Busey Young

Gary Busey Young — Gary Busey in 1978’s ‘The Buddy Holly Story’. The movie also starred Don Stroud, Charles Martin Smith, Conrad Janis, William Jordan, and Maria Richwine, who played Maria Elena Holly.

5 of 16

Gary Busey In 1986

Gary Busey In 1986 — Gary Busey, who stars in the cable TV movie ‘Half a Lifetime,’ is seen in Los Angeles in 1986. He said he felt a kinship with the character he plays in the film because Busey, like the character in the movie, was forced to change his lifestyle after years of struggling with liquor, drugs and overeating.

6 of 16

Gary Busey Advocates For Motorcycle Helmets

Gary Busey Advocates For Motorcycle Helmets — Gary Busey lends his support to the use of motorcycle helmets and the California law during a news conference in Los Angeles in the late 80s. Gary had a near-fatal motorcycle accident in 1988 when he wasn’t wearing a helmet and supported legislation requiring helmets.

7 of 16

Gary Busey & Son In 1996

Gary Busey & Son In 1996 — Gary Busey and son Jake Busey at the premiere of ‘Frighteners’ on July 17, 1996. What a pair!

8 of 16

Gary Busey At A Champagne Tasting

Gary Busey At A Champagne Tasting — Cheers! Gary Busey attends an exclusive tasting for Dom Perignon launching Oenotheque.

9 of 16

Gary Busey In 2004

Gary Busey In 2004 — Gary Busey attends an event celebrating the 15th anniversary DVD launch of the movie ‘Field Of Dreams’ in LA on Jun. 9, 2004. He was dressed down in dark colors.

10 of 16

Gary Busey At The 2006 Oscars

Gary Busey At The 2006 Oscars — Gary Busey attends the 78th annual OScars in LA on Mar. 5, 2006. He wore all black and had a clean-shaven face.

11 of 16

Gary Busey & Steffanie Sampson In 2009

Gary Busey & Steffanie Sampson In 2009 — Steffanie Sampson and Gary Busey appear at the premiere of ‘Crazy Heart’ on Dec. 8, 2009. He was been with her since 2008 and in February 2010, she gave birth to their son.

12 of 16

Gary Busey In 2011

Gary Busey In 2011 — Gary Busey attends a cast party for ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ at Surrender Nightclub in Las Vegas on Mar. 5, 2011. He wore a fringed suede coat and smiled big.

13 of 16

Gary Busey & Son Jake In 2013

Gary Busey & Son Jake In 2013 — Jake Busey and Gary Busey attend the premiere of ‘Machete Kills’ together in LA on Oct. 2, 2013. Gary looked thrilled to have his son at his side.

14 of 16

Gary Busey In 2015

Gary Busey In 2015 — Deal me in! Gary Busey participates in Variety’s The Children’s Charity Of Southern CA Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament in LA on Jul. 22, 2015.

15 of 16

Gary Busey At A Rams Game

Gary Busey At A Rams Game — Gary Busey cheers during the second half of an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints, in Los Angeles on Nov. 26, 2017. The Rams fans was with son Jake.

16 of 16

Gary Busey At The Premiere Of ‘Dead Ant’

Gary Busey At The Premiere Of ‘Dead Ant’ — Gary Busey attends the premiere of ‘Dead Ant’ on Jan. 22, 2019. He wore a dark blue suit with a black V-neck tee shirt.

Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get the hottest celeb news.