Gary Busey suffered a severe motorcycle accident on December 4, 1988, in which he was not wearing a helmet. The accident caused a fractured skull and permanent brain damage, requiring brain surgery and leaving him in a coma for weeks
. He has described briefly dying during the accident and having near-death experiences, including visions of the spiritual realm
. The brain injury resulted in lasting effects such as impulse control and mood regulation problems, which contribute to his eccentric and sometimes difficult behavior
. Before the accident, Busey struggled with cocaine addiction, which he continued to battle afterward, including a near-fatal overdose in 1990
. His substance abuse issues and brain injury have influenced his personal life and career trajectory, leading to financial difficulties and bankruptcy in 2012
. In recent years, Busey has been known for his unconventional behavior on reality TV shows and public incidents, including legal troubles related to alleged inappropriate conduct in 2022
. Overall, the combination of his traumatic brain injury, substance abuse history, and resulting behavioral changes explain much of what is "wrong" or different about Gary Busey today.
