Gary Busey - Actor was once heavy drug user, almost died from cocaine overdose
William Gary Busey (born June 29, 1944 in Goose Creek, Texas) is an Academy Award-nominated American film actor. He has appeared in several films, including The Buddy Holly Story, Lethal Weapon, and Under Siege.
Biography
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." He then transferred to Oklahoma State University, where he quit school one class short of graduation.
In 1971, wife Judy Helkenberg gave birth to his son, actor Jake Busey. The couple divorced sixteen years later.
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 doctors feared he suffered permanent brain damage. Busey recovered 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 reported that he suffered a near-death experience in which he saw hell and the devil. He announced he had become a born-again Christian, joined Promise Keepers and preached against drug abuse.
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