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busey Noun, e.g., Woody Harrelson played a lovable busey in “2012” (2009). Definition: A conspicuously crazy character. History: The namesake of busey is not Gary Busey, even though Gary was stellar playing a human cockroach in “Hider in the House” (1989). Word is Gary’s son Jake inspired the term, or rather Jake’s agent, who told casting directors that Jake could create the illusion that his eyes revolve. The promo reportedly earned Jake roles as a serial killer in “The Frighteners” (1996) and as a maniacal saboteur in “Contact” (1997). Key to the definition of busey is the idea that the actor must appear crazy from his first frame. This disqualifies many of cinema’s favorite lunatics, such as Anthony Perkins in “Psycho” (1960) and Jack Nicholson in “The Shining” (1980). Still, few crazies of any kind approach the bar set by Jake Busey, perhaps because humans are hardwired to believe nothing is loonier than an unhinged albino. To wit: Paul Bettany playing the albino in “The Di Vinci Code” (2006).
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