Trivia

Went to High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma with author S.E. Hinton who wrote The Outsiders, he had a part in the movie.

An accomplished artist.

Retired from acting because he loved making Elizabethtown (2005) so much, he thought it couldn't get any better. He would however consider returning if something really appealed.

Gary Busey got his start on the Gailard Sartain show in Oklahoma.

Was considered for the role of Otis in Superman (1978).

A memorable character that he played on KOTV in Tulsa, OK was Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi, who hosted a late night weekend film festival of old movies. Mazeppa dressed as a wizard, wearing a dark blue robe and pointed wizard's cap. The local late-night program featured B-movies, with Jim Millaway (who also wrote for country legend Hank Thompson) Sartain and Gary Busey writing and performing skits between the movie segments. Featuring characters such as Yahoudi Menu (a nameplay on the famous violin afficianado, played by Armin Sebran) and a featured Gary Busey character, Teddy Jack Eddie.....with the third member of the troupe, Jim Millaway, playing "Sherman Oaks" and "Dr Menlo Park"....wearing a receding-hairlined half-mask, the Mazeppa Pompazoidi's Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting met Saturday nights at 10:30pm after the local late news (Gailard was a cameraman for the news show). There were other incidental characters, played by his then girlfriend (??) such as "Little Dar-Leen" and "Judy Judy". Local personalities instantly gained even more local fame when appearing on his program, some like the rock band "Bread". He even had local late-night competition, "Fantastic Theatre". Somewhat of a cult following started from his talented improvisational skills and there began the career of G. Ailard S. Artain.......

Bears a striking resemblance to Jonathan Winters.

He was in 3 the of the Ernest movies and on the Saturday moring live action TV show.