Gary Busey Turns 79 Years after Brain Surgery — He Passed Down ‘Everything’ to His Son
- Actor Gary Busey recently celebrated his 79th birthday with his family.
- Busey is a proud dad of three kids whom he shares with different women.
- He was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him with permanent brain damage.
Gary Busey is a veteran actor who appeared in the American television sitcom "The Texas Wheelers," which aired for one season from 1974 to 1975.
The award-winning star also featured in the 1982 movie, "Barbarosa" and the 1987 film, "Lethal Weapon," alongside Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.
Actor Gary Busey and actress Karen Obediear appearing on the ABC TV series "The Texas Wheelers" on January 1, 1974. | Source: Getty Images
Gary, who is also a producer and composer, was born on June 29, 1944, in Goose Creek, Texas. The Hollywood star was raised in Oklahoma.
Gary recently celebrated his 79th birthday with his family and shared how he marked the special occasion on his Instagram account.
"I had such a great time celebrating my 79th #birthday last night with my children," the family patriarch, who appeared in good spirits, captioned his post.
He posted a photo of him, his kids, and his grandkids posing in front of a cake. Gary was all smiles as he was pictured looking up, surrounded by his loved ones.
The film star has gone through a lot over the years because of his health, including a near-death experience. Gary was involved in a motorcycle accident two decades ago, which left him with permanent brain damage.
The comedian fell off his Harley Davidson motorcycle in December 1988 and was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent brain surgery.
Gary Busey attends the premiere of "Dancers" at AMC Century 14 Theatres on October 7, 1987 in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images
The ordeal left him with subdural hematoma, a condition where blood collects between the surface of the brain and the skull. In an April 2022 interview, he spoke candidly about his experience:
"I went off the bike without a helmet, hit my head into a kerb, split my skull, passed away after brain surgery, and went to the other side – the spiritual realm where I got information."
Gary Busey attends Bernie Taupin's 40th birthday party at The Roxbury on May 26, 1990 in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Gary explained he was brought back to life after having a surreal experience. "I was surrounded by angels. Balls of light floating all around me. And I felt trust, love, protection, and happiness like you cannot feel on earth. It's the feeling the angels live in," he said.
Although "The Buddy Holly Story" star described the experience as a part of his journey, he admitted that it was a difficult time for his son.
Gary Is a Proud Father of Three & a Grandparent
Gary is a proud father of three kids, especially when it comes to his son Jake Busey. The doting parent holds his child in the highest regard, including all he has achieved.
Jake followed in his father's acting footsteps and starred in the 2018 movie, "The Predator," while his famous father appeared in 1990's "The Predator 2."
Gary Busey attends the 5th Annual Variety "The Children's Charity of SoCal Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament" at Paramount Studios on July 22, 2015 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Gary Busey and his son Jake Busey attend the 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 20, 1990. | Source: Getty Images
Jake was born William Jacob "Jake" Busey in June 1971 to Gary and Judy Helkenberg. Gary and the actress were married from 1968 to 1990.
Jake is also a father. He and his significant other, April Hutchinson, welcomed their daughter Autumn in 2012. In a June 2019 interview, The "Enemy of the State" actor's dad shared what positive things he was proud to have passed down to him.
"Everything," said Gary, adding, "Everything I am. Even the hard parts I've had in my life he's learned from that, it's a part of him from growing up. It's a union of heaven between the two of us."
In addition to Jake, Gary, who was previously married to actress Tiani Warden from 1996 to 2001, is also a father to daughter Alectra and son Luke.
Gary Is Married to His Hypnotist Wife Steffanie Sampson
Gary shares his youngest son Luke with his third wife, Steffanie, nee Sampson, whom he has been with since 2006. Sampson is a stand-up comedian and a master hypnotist.
The mother of one won the Friar's Club So You Think You Can Roast competition in 2017. In May 2021, she and her beloved husband attended a show at the Comedy Chateau in North Hollywood.
Gary Busey and his partner Steffanie Busey visit the SiriusXM Studios on September 5, 2018 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Gary posed for photographs backstage at the event in a casual outfit, sporting a gray and beige baseball cap with a charcoal sweater.
The "Silver Bullet" star also donned a black leather jacket with matching pants and a long tartan-patterned gray, white, and maroon scarf.
Gary Busey and Steffanie Sampson attend the 7th Annual Ed Asner And Friends Poker Tournament Celebrity Night at CBS Studios - Radford on June 1, 2019 in Studio City, California. | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, his spouse opted for a short black button-down long-sleeve dress and completed her look with black jewelry.
"The Point Break" star posed for solo pictures and one group photo with the mother of his child, including model Christine Lee and the owner of Chateau Comedy, comedian Felix McNulty.
Gary Busey and Steffanie Sampson Busey attend the 27th Annual Night Of 100 Stars Black Tie Dinner Viewing Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
In addition to his work on film and television, Gary also signed up to partake in the popular dance competition, "Dancing With the Stars," during season 21 of the show in 2015.
At the time, the Academy Award nominee joked, "I didn't have anything else to do," on why he decided to sign up for the competition.
Gary Busey pictured at The Comedy Chateau on May 12, 2021 in North Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Gary was the ninth contestant to be announced on the ABC show. His partner was professional dancer Anna Trebunskaya. The duo made it to Week 4 of the competition before elimination, finishing in 10th place.
In addition, Gary has also appeared in two other reality television shows, including "Celebrity Apprentice" and the UK's "Celebrity Big Brother."
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