Veteran actor Timothy Busfield has told a New Mexico grand jury that he believes his decades-long career in Hollywood is effectively over following criminal charges accusing him of inappropriate contact with children.
During testimony given in February, the 69-year-old said the allegations alone have severely damaged his reputation and professional future, regardless of how the case is ultimately resolved.
Busfield has pleaded not guilty and continues to deny all allegations against him.
Actor Claims He Has Already Faced Major Professional Fallout
According to grand jury testimony obtained by USA Today, Busfield said the impact on his career has been immediate and devastating.
He told jurors he no longer expects to work in the entertainment industry, saying he has already lost television projects, was digitally removed from a movie, and was dropped by his talent agency.
Busfield stressed that he was not seeking sympathy but wanted jurors to understand the real-world consequences he says he has already experienced since the accusations became public.
Concern Extends Beyond His Own Reputation
The actor also expressed concern about how the criminal case could affect his family, particularly his wife, actress Melissa Gilbert.
Busfield told the grand jury that his greatest hope was that Gilbert’s career and business ventures would not suffer because of the legal proceedings against him.
In addition to her acting career, Gilbert operates the lifestyle brand Modern Prairie, which has recently benefited from renewed interest in Little House on the Prairie following the debut of Netflix‘s reboot of the classic series.
Busfield also said he feared the allegations had affected his children, grandchildren and other loved ones, maintaining that the accusations were false.
Charges Stem From Work on Television Series
New Mexico prosecutors announced in February that Busfield had been indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact involving children under the age of 13.
The accusations involve two child actors who worked on The Cleaning Lady, a television series where Busfield served as both a producer and director between 2022 and 2025.
Authorities allege the incidents occurred during his involvement with the production.
Busfield Rejects Allegations and Offers Alternative Explanation
During his testimony, Busfield denied engaging in any inappropriate conduct with the children.
Instead, he claimed the accusations arose after the parents of the child actors became upset when their children were not included in the show’s fourth season.
According to Busfield, the parents allegedly encouraged the children to make false accusations against him out of revenge.
Those claims have not been established in court.
He acknowledged feeling nervous while appearing before the grand jury, telling jurors that he understood the seriousness of the proceedings and the high stakes involved.
Defense Maintains Charges Cannot Be Proven
Busfield’s attorney, Larry Stein, has continued to insist his client is innocent.
Stein has argued that prosecutors are pursuing a case that lacks sufficient evidence and expressed confidence that the allegations will not withstand scrutiny during trial.
Following testimony from Busfield and Albuquerque Police Officer Marvin Brown, the grand jury did not request additional witnesses before returning the indictment.
Trial Scheduled for 2027
Busfield surrendered to New Mexico authorities in January after the allegations became public.
A judge later ordered his release, noting there was no demonstrated pattern of criminal behavior requiring continued detention while the case proceeds.
His trial is currently scheduled to begin in May 2027.
Long Hollywood Career Overshadowed by Legal Battle
Before the allegations emerged, Busfield built a career spanning several decades in film and television.
He appeared in movies including Field of Dreams, Little Big League and Revenge of the Nerds, while television audiences knew him from productions such as Thirtysomething and The West Wing.
Beyond acting, Busfield established himself as a television director, working on series including The Client List, The Night Shift and Designated Survivor.
As legal proceedings continue, the criminal charges—and Busfield’s repeated denials—remain at the center of a case that has already had significant personal and professional consequences.
