I can't be serious all the time. Megan McArdle tossed her chickadees a poser: who is today's Ronald Reagan of Hollywood, remaining afloat on a sea of B-Movies? It's not an easy task, as second-hand cinema for any length of time is more often than not an indication of either inferiority or decline.
Bill Pullman was a favorite of respondants. Rick Moranis got a vote; Brendan Fraser and Steve Gutenberg another.
Only one person mentioned Gary Busey - and rather offhand. In fact, I'd contend that Busey is the B-tier actor. Look at his credentials: the man has been working on lesser-known flicks for over thirty years. Here, he's an unhinged ex-special force agent; there, he's an unhinged ex-military officer who murders a carrier captain in drag; first, he's the father figure of a wraithlike conjuration of a condemned man's youth; next, he's mimicking Buddy Holly. Neither vice nor career frustration has knocked him to the ground for long; substance abuse or motorcycle accident, he's as overbiting and irrepressible as ever. His name exudes B-movie more than most, and his longevity in the medium beats out any associative contenders.
Besides, he's just Gary Busey:
Reporter: Do you think that "Busey-ism" can catch on as a religion or philosophy?Busey: Yeah...That's what's going to happen. You saw the episode [of Busey's reality television show] where I'm talking about The Wizard of Oz being a movie of the highest technology. If you listen to that again, if you understand what I'm saying, you'll understand that the technology that you have in your imagination and your creative heart is your power, and the power of your identity and your truth. That's what this show symbolizes, finding your power, your truth, and having fun with yourself. Fun, peace, harmony and communication are the four platforms that surround your foundation like railroad ties. Imagine railroad ties.
We can see them, Gary, with a one-way ticket on the camp train to Bottom-Shelf City. Have you ever forgotten a Busey performance? Immortal.