Actor Timothy Busfield, 69, told a grand jury in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in February that his career is finished in the wake of charges of child sexual abuse. According to testimony from the district attorney's office obtained by USA Today, Busfield stated, 'I'm canceled. I'll never, I don't, I'll never work again just based on people's fear that I would do this again and, and even if it wasn't true, I’m done.'
Busfield is charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under age 13, which he denies. He surrendered to authorities in New Mexico on January 13 and was released by a judge who found he did not demonstrate a pattern of criminal behavior.
He testified to the grand jury that he has lost television shows and was digitally replaced in a movie. He also stated his agency fired him. "My children, grandchildren, everybody in my life is done because of these false allegations for money and for revenge," Busfield told the 12-person jury. He expressed concern that his wife Melissa Gilbert's career might also be affected.
Prosecutors announced the indictment on February 6. The allegations involve two child actors who worked with Busfield on the TV series The Cleaning Lady, where he served as a producer and director from 2022 to 2025. Busfield claimed in his testimony that the allegations stem from spite by the children's parents after he excluded them from the cast for the show's fourth season, suggesting the parents coached their children to make false accusations.
Busfield's attorney, Larry Stein, has stated his client is innocent and that the facts will support his defense. "What is deeply concerning is that the District Attorney is choosing to proceed on a case that is fundamentally unsound and cannot be proven at trial," Stein told an outlet.
The trial is currently slated to begin in May 2027. Busfield, known for roles in films like "Field of Dreams" and TV shows such as "The West Wing," also has extensive directing credits.
