Gary Busey, the once-acclaimed Oscar nominee known for his intense on-screen presence and unpredictable off-screen antics, is once again making headlines—but not for a new role or a comeback.
This time, it’s for a legal battle stemming from disturbing allegations at a fan convention.
The Incident at a Horror Convention That Started It All
Back in August 2022, Busey was attending the Monster Mania convention at the Doubletree Hotel in Camden, New Jersey.
The event was packed with horror movie fans looking to meet some of their favorite actors.
But things took a dark turn when several women came forward, accusing Busey of inappropriate and unwanted sexual contact.
According to police reports, the then-79-year-old actor allegedly groped two women during a photo-op, grabbing their buttocks and, in another case, attempting to unhook a woman’s bra while making lewd comments.
One woman recalled Busey asking, “Where’d you get them?” while moving his face uncomfortably close to her chest.
Pleading Guilty—But Not Without Confusion
Fast forward to 2025, Busey, now 81, has officially pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
During a virtual court appearance, however, the moment was anything but straightforward.
Appearing via Zoom, Busey was drinking from a can—prompting a quick scolding from Judge Gwendolyn Blue.
When asked to confirm his plea, Busey seemed disoriented and confused, initially asking his team, “Am I pleading guilty?” to which his lawyers quickly responded, “Yes!” He finally agreed to the plea after some clarification from the judge.
Charges Dropped but Consequences Remain
As part of a plea agreement, several additional charges—including three more counts of sexual contact and one count of attempted contact—will be dropped.
Still, Busey isn’t walking away without consequence.
He now faces up to five years of probation, will have to pay fines, submit a DNA sample, and will carry a criminal record moving forward.
His official sentencing is scheduled for September 18 and will also take place virtually.
From Denial to Accountability—A Shift in Narrative
When the allegations first surfaced in 2022, Busey was quick to deny them.
Speaking to paparazzi, he said the accusations were fabricated and that the interaction lasted no more than ten seconds. “Nothing happened.
It was all false,” he said while pumping gas in Malibu.
But court documents tell a different story.
Detectives say Busey himself asked them to apologize to the victims and persuade them not to press charges—behavior that contradicts his earlier public denial.
A Troubled Public Incident Shortly After
Just days after the groping charges made headlines, Busey was spotted in Malibu in yet another troubling situation.
He was photographed with his pants down on a bench near his home, hands in his crotch, in plain view of the public.
His representatives later said it was likely a case of him needing to relieve himself and being unable to make it to the restroom in time.
A Career Marked by Talent and Turmoil
Gary Busey is no stranger to controversy.
His career includes standout roles in films like The Buddy Holly Story—which earned him an Oscar nomination—Lethal Weapon, Point Break, and Under Siege.
But his off-screen life has been riddled with legal troubles, bizarre behavior, and substance abuse issues.
The Motorcycle Crash That Changed Everything
Those closest to Busey, including his son Jake, have often pointed to a devastating 1988 motorcycle accident as the moment his life changed.
The crash caused significant brain damage, particularly to his frontal lobe.
According to Jake, the injury made his father more impulsive and erratic, claiming, “I feel like I lost my dad on December 4, 1988.”
Past Accusations Paint a Pattern
Unfortunately, the 2022 incident wasn’t the first time Busey faced serious allegations.
In 2011, during his appearance on Celebrity Apprentice, a female employee accused him of groping her in a disturbingly similar manner—placing her hand over his genitals and making inappropriate comments.
His criminal record also includes drug charges from a 1995 raid of his Malibu home, where police found cocaine, marijuana, and hallucinogens.
The Public and Legal Fallout Continues
As Busey awaits sentencing, questions loom about whether justice has finally caught up to him—or whether this marks yet another chapter in a long history of erratic and inappropriate behavior.
The entertainment world may remember his acting legacy, but it’s increasingly overshadowed by his personal conduct.
