by Waldo News

Created on: July 21, 2008

There is a man in Hollywood. Some may call him an actor, but he is much more. His professional career has spanned 40 years, over 140 television, movie, and video game credits. He has crossed multiple mediums, and influenced the careers of countless Hollywood stars including Steven Segal, Johny Depp and the great Larry Hagman. But beyond these raw, professional credentials lies a man who's soul has been touched by a higher power, and who has used this power to enhance the lives of millions. Indeed, over the last four decades, few, if any, have been able to present the depth and humanity of the greatest actor of our generation, Gary Busey.

From the humble beginning as an uncredited extra next to Shelly Winters and Richard Pryor in the 1968 hit "Wild in the Streets" all the way to the tour de force that was his oral assault on Jennifer Garner at the 2008 Oscars, Busey has provided a non-stop thrill ride on the big and little screens. However, Busey will perhaps best be known for his heart-wrenching performance as FBI Agent Angelo Pappas in 1991's smash summer blockbuster, "Point Break".

This very personal role was perhaps the pinnacle of Busey's achievements. As Pappas, Busey was able to tap into his own inner demons, and express the anger, sadness, and ultimately the coming to terms of being an aging Hollywood star. Pappas' death served not only as the passing of the torch to the younger Agent Johnny Utah, but Busey's maturing into a more complete actor, passing the torch to an up and coming superstar, Keanu Reeves. Reeves was not the only benefactor of Busey's merging of immense talent and soulful assistance, as Patrick Swayze was also forever changed by his experiences on the film, growing from 1980s heart-throb to a mature actor in subsequent roles throughout the 1990s. This single example illustrates a greater confidence and realization of purpose which allows Busey to pass along his talents and life guidance to the younger generation. Indeed, much of the tree of Hollywood talent has roots that stretch back to Busey.

But his talents are not limited to the silver screen. Busey has been a staple of television acting since his 1970 appearance on "The High Chapparal" (a show which was later remade, and had numerous Busey cameos). Busey himself, in fact, draws much of his own personal spirituality from what he learned on the set of "Kung Fu" in 1973. This hodge-podge of eastern spirituality and post-drug addicted dementia were also fully on display during his 3-episode stint on HBO's "Entourage" series, where he played himself. Whether it be as himself on a reality TV show, or as one of the plethora of characters he has played throughout time, Busey has been a welcome addition to any network lineup.

As he has aged, and technology has grown, Busey has not been afraid to branch out into new media. With a voice that is unmistakable, Busey has helped carry one of the biggest franchises in computer gaming entertainment, Grand Theft Auto. From his earliest days as a musician, Busey has always been unafraid of stretching himself and testing his natural abilities, proving yet again that he is more than an actor, Gary Busey is, in fact, a force of nature.

For these reasons, it is plain to see that Gary Busey is the greatest actor of our generation.

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