In a challenging time for Timothy Busfield, his colleagues and friends from the entertainment industry are stepping forward to support him as he faces serious allegations of child sex abuse. As detailed in court documents, the 68-year-old actor, known for his role in “The West Wing,” is accused of inappropriate conduct involving twin boys during the filming of the TV series “The Cleaning Lady” from 2022 to 2024.
Busfield has firmly denied these accusations but remains in custody without the option of bail. This situation persists as he awaits his next court appearance, following a recent preliminary hearing.
In response to his detention, Busfield’s legal team has filed a motion challenging the decision. They argue that the prosecution has not presented sufficient evidence to justify the claim that Busfield would pose a danger to the community if released on bail.
Included in the legal motion are several testimonials from Busfield’s peers in Hollywood, vouching for his character. These letters of support were penned by well-known figures in the industry, including actor and director Peter Horton, and actors Patricia Wettig and Mackenzie Astin, all of whom have worked alongside Busfield in the past.
The brief contained several letters written by his Hollywood pals and co-stars in support of Busfield’s character.
Actor and director Peter Horton as well as actors Patricia Wettig and Mackenzie Astin, who have all worked with Busfield, wrote statements in the brief.
It also included personal details about Busfield’s sex life with his wife Melissa Gilbert, detailing that they have a ‘satisfying sex life’ but that they ‘enjoy cuddling more than sex’.
The brief that he would sometimes masturbate while taking a shower as it is ‘easier’, saying the last time he masturbated was six months ago.
Timothy Busfield has been married to former Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert, 61, since 2013. They are pictured together in February 2019
Horton detailed how Busfield starred alongside him in the TV series Thirtysomething and that they first met when auditioning for the show in the late 80s.
He said: ‘Tim is not only a great actor and a really good director, more than all of that Tim is a good man.
‘I offer this perspective to you from not only a fellow artist and friend, but as a fellow father of two girls who knows the power and necessity of having a good dad.’
Wettig meanwhile praised Busfield for being professional throughout their working career together on Thirtysomething as his wife on the show.
She said that they had intimate scenes on the show and that Busfield remained ‘humble and caring’ throughout.
Wettig added that Busfield would always make sure any kids on the show ‘felt comfortable and safe’, adding ‘he is a wonderful man and I trust him completely’.
Astin, who starred in First Years which Busfield directed two episodes of, credited him with saving his acting career after struggling with alcoholism in the early 2000s.
He noted one situation where he appeared late for a shoot which he said Busfield defused.
Busfield’s co-stars including Peter Horton, sitting at the front, and Patricia Wettig, right in Busfield’s arms, both issued statements to the court via his attorneys
Mackenzie Astin, seen here, worked with Busfield on two episodes of First Years in the early 2000s and also expressed support for the embattled star
After making his return to LA in 2010 following a stint in rehab, Astin said it was Busfield who gave him a small part on a TV show.
He said: ‘That job made a significant impact on my recovery. I was reminded that I was capable as an actor, and that the new life I had begun, the sober life, would be rewarded.’
Gilbert also pleaded with the judge to ‘protect’ her husband, calling him a ‘compassionate and honorable’ man.
Busfield’s attorneys said that the allegations against their client emerged only after the two boys lost their role in the show, creating a financial and retaliatory motive.
Busfield is charged with sexual contact with a minor but has denied the allegations
The filings detailed what his lawyers said was a clear history of fraud carried out by both the father and mother of the two.
They also cited an investigation by Warner Bros. into the allegations which they said prosecutors did not include in their criminal complaint.
That investigation found the allegations to be unfounded, with the studio unable to find evidence to support the allegations against Busfield.
One of the boys told a forensic interviewer that Busfield touched his ‘private areas’ while he was lounging on a bed on set.
He said he was afraid to tell anyone because Busfield was the show’s director. He has since been diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety, police said.
His brother also reported being touched by Busfield, but was less specific about where on his body.
Busfield has denied the allegations, telling TMZ in a video: ‘They’re all lies and I did not do anything to those little boys, and I’m gonna fight it.’
‘I’m gonna be exonerated, I know I am, because this is all so wrong and lies,’ he continued.
He is due back in court on January 20, when a judge will determine whether to grant the prosecution’s motion for him to remain in custody until trial.
