Timothy Busfield says he's been 'canceled' after indictment
Timothy Busfield told an Albuquerque grand jury his career is finished after child sexual-contact charges, saying he has been "canceled," lost TV work, and been digitally replaced in a movie, according to testimony obtained by USA Today. He denies the allegations and faces a May 2027 trial.
Key Takeaways
- In February testimony obtained by USA Today, Timothy Busfield told jurors, "I'm canceled" and that he expects never to work again.
- He said he has lost TV shows, been digitally replaced in a movie, and been fired by his agency.
- Busfield was indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child tied to alleged incidents on Fox's The Cleaning Lady; he maintains his innocence.
- A hearing on his bid to quash the indictment is set for Aug. 25; trial is scheduled for May 2027.
The Emmy-winning actor, known for The West Wing, thirtysomething, and Revenge of the Nerds, spoke for roughly two hours before a 12-member grand jury in Albuquerque on Feb. 5. USA Today obtained the testimony through a public records request to the district attorney's office.
For readers tracking Hollywood legal fallout and casting shake-ups, more coverage lives in our Streaming & TV Alerts section.
What did Timothy Busfield tell the grand jury?
Busfield said the allegations had already ended his professional life. "My career's done. I'm canceled. I'll never work again just based on people's fear that I would do this again and, even if it wasn't true, I'm done," he testified, per USA Today's exclusive report.
He added that he had "lost TV shows, a movie they've digitally replaced me from," and that his agency fired him. He framed the remarks as concern for his family rather than a plea for sympathy.
Why does Timothy Busfield say the allegations were made?
Prosecutors announced the indictment on Feb. 6 on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child under 13. Rolling Stone reported the charges relate to accusations involving twin child actors on The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield worked as a director and producer; the indictment specified counts tied to one of the boys.
Busfield denied inappropriate contact. He told jurors the boys' parents sought revenge after he dropped the children from the show's fourth season and they lost a combined $30,000 per episode. He called the claims "false allegations for money and for revenge."
Albuquerque Police Officer Marvin Brown testified he believed the boys' accounts were organic, not coached. A Warner Bros. internal inquiry did not substantiate the claims, and the studio submitted 87 support letters when a judge weighed Busfield's release after his arrest.
What happens next in the Timothy Busfield case?
Busfield's team moved on June 18 to throw out the indictment, arguing the prosecution did not present a fair case. A judge is set to review that request on Aug. 25; Busfield need not attend. If the motion fails, the case heads toward a May 2027 trial.
He also said his "last hope" was that the case would not ruin wife Melissa Gilbert's career. Gilbert told Good Morning America in April she is "100 percent confident" he will be exonerated, while noting the family must prepare for all scenarios. Like any defendant after indictment, Busfield is presumed innocent unless convicted at trial.