Hollywood stars DEFEND Timothy Busfield after child abuse claims as he reveals sex life with Melissa Gilbert
Timothy Busfield’s famous friends are rallying around him after his arrest on child sex abuse charges, according to court documents.
The 68-year-old West Wing star is accused of inappropriately touching twin boys on the set of the television series The Cleaning Lady from 2022 to 2024.
Busfield has denied any wrongdoing but is being held without bail until his next court date following an arraignment earlier this week.
Last night his lawyers filed a motion against the decision, arguing that prosecutors did not have ‘evidence’ to show the community would be in danger if Busfield was released on bail.
The recap included several letters written by Hollywood friends and co-stars in support of Busfield’s character.
In addition to actor and director Peter Horton, actors Patricia Wettig and Mackenzie Astin, who worked with Busfield, also made statements at the briefing.
It also included personal details about Busfield’s sex life with his wife, Melissa Gilbert, detailing that they had a “satisfying sex life” but “enjoyed cuddling more than sex.”
He said that he sometimes masturbated while taking a shower, that it was ‘easier’, and that he last masturbated six months ago.
Timothy Busfield has been married to former Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert, 61, since 2013. They were photographed together in February 2019.
Horton talked about how Busfield co-starred with him on the TV series Thirtysomething, and how they first met at an audition for the show in the late ’80s.
He said: ‘Tim is not only a great actor and a really good director, but most of all Tim is a good man.
‘I offer this perspective to you not only as an artist and friend, but also as a father of two daughters who knows the power and necessity of having a good father.’
Wettig, meanwhile, praised Busfield for being professional throughout their working career together as his on-show partner on Thirtysomething.
He said there were intimate scenes in the program and that Busfield remained ‘humble and compassionate’ throughout.
Wettig added that Busfield would always make sure the kids in the program “feel comfortable and safe,” and “he’s a great guy and I trust him completely.”
Astin, who starred in First Years, of which Busfield directed two episodes, said he saved his acting career after struggling with alcoholism in the early 2000s.
He pointed to an occasion when Busfield was late for a shot, which he said was neutralized.
Busfield’s co-stars, including Peter Horton, sitting in the front, and Patricia Wettig, in Busfield’s arms, gave statements to the court through their lawyers.
Mackenzie Astin, seen here, worked with Busfield on two episodes of First Years in the early 2000s and also expressed her support for the embattled star.
Astin said it was Busfield who gave him a small role on a TV show after he returned to Los Angeles in 2010 after a stint in rehab.
He said: ‘This job has made a significant impact on my recovery. ‘I was reminded that I was talented 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, saying he was a “caring and honorable” man.
Busfield’s lawyers said the allegations against their client only came to light after the two children lost their roles in the series, which constituted a financial and retaliatory justification.
Busfield is accused of having sex with a minor but has denied the allegations
There is a clear history of fraud committed by both the father and mother of the two, their lawyers said in the filings.
They also cited an investigation by Warner Bros. into allegations that prosecutors said were not included in the criminal complaint.
This investigation found that the allegations were false, as the studio was unable to find evidence to support the allegations against Busfield.
One of the children told the coroner that Busfield touched her “private parts” while she was lying in bed on set.
He said he was afraid to tell anyone because Busfield was the director of the show. He has since been diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety, police said.
Her brother also reported that Busfield touched her, but provided less information about where on her body.
Busfield denied the allegations and told TMZ in a video: ‘It’s all lies and I didn’t do anything to those little kids and I’m going to fight it.’
“I know I will be acquitted because this is all so wrong and lies,” he continued.
The suspect is expected to appear in court again on January 20. On this date, the judge will decide whether to accept the prosecutor’s request to remain in custody until the hearing.
