Busey is notable for his striking looks, which have led to him being cast as a rebel of some sort in many of his films. His most noteworthy role is perhaps as Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story, for which he received an Oscar nomination.
In his later years Busey has become obsessed with his health (perhaps as a result of a wild lifestyle as a youth), adhering to a strict exercise and diet regime in an attempt to maintain his physical and mental abilities.