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Timothy Busfield’s famous former co-stars are sharing their support for the embattled actor after he was charged with child sex abuse.

Ken Olin, Patricia Wettig and Peter Horton — all of whom appeared alongside Busfield on the beloved ABC drama “Thirtysomething” between 1987 and 1991 — have penned letters testifying to the 68-year-old’s character, per Deadline.

Busfield has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse and is currently being held behind bars.

“Timothy is my friend, so no doubt I’m biased,” Olin reportedly wrote in his letter, which was included in a new court filing from Busfield’s attorneys in New Mexico. “But I know him well, through many years and many changing life circumstances, and he has always been a man who cares about other people – old and young.”


  Patricia Wettig purportedly penned a letter in support of her former “Thirtysomething” co-star. The pair played married couple Nancy and Elliot Weston. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Patricia Wettig purportedly penned a letter in support of her former “Thirtysomething” co-star. The pair played married couple Nancy and Elliot Weston. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

  Timothy Busfield poses for a jail booking photograph at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. January 13, 2026. via REUTERS Timothy Busfield poses for a jail booking photograph at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. January 13, 2026. via REUTERS

“I know in the very bottom of my heart that Timothy would never do anything to cruelly exploit or harm anyone, let alone a child,” OIin added.

Busfield’s wife, Melissa Gilbert, and “Thirtysomething” co-creator, Edward Zwick, won an Oscar for producing 1999’s “Shakespeare In Love,” also wrote letters of support, according to Deadline.

In the filing, Busfield’s attorneys came out swinging against what they say is a lack of evidence.

“The State’s attempt to transform responsible self-surrender into aggravating conduct only underscores the absence of genuine evidence of dangerousness,” a new opposition filing reveals, per Deadline.


  According to Deadline, several of Busfield’s “Thirtysomething” stars are standing by him, including Wettig (second from left), Olin (third from right) and Horton (far right). ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection According to Deadline, several of Busfield’s “Thirtysomething” stars are standing by him, including Wettig (second from left), Olin (third from right) and Horton (far right). ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

“The Motion asks the Court to imprison a man based on a story that has already collapsed under independent scrutiny,” the document filed by Albuquerque attorneys, Amber Fayerberg and Christopher Dodd, read.

“The State offers no reliable proof—only allegations advanced by witnesses with documented histories of fraud and financial exploitation, contradicted by a comprehensive studio investigation, and refuted by witnesses and objective risk assessments. The Constitution does not allow liberty to be forfeited on such a foundation. The State’s Motion should be denied.”

The lawyers added: “For all of these reasons—the independent investigation that undermined the State’s allegations at every turn, the affirmative findings of the polygraph and ABEL assessment, the overwhelming evidence of character and community support, and the absence of any reliable proof of dangerousness—the State cannot meet its burden of clear and convincing evidence that no conditions of release will reasonably protect the community. The Constitution requires release under appropriate conditions.”

Busfield has denied the allegations.

“Tim Busfield denies the allegations in the criminal complaint and maintains they are completely false,” Busfield’s lawyer, Larry Stein, told The Post in a statement on Wednesday.


  Timothy Busfield appears in court in New Mexico on felony child sex abuse charges. BACKGRID Timothy Busfield appears in court in New Mexico on felony child sex abuse charges. BACKGRID

  Timothy Busfield in court. New Mexico Superior Court Timothy Busfield in court. New Mexico Superior Court

Busfield was also accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl “several years ago” in Sacramento, California, by prosecutors in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, in a motion filed on Jan. 14.

Colin Swift, the alleged victim’s father, reported the incident on Jan. 13, per the motion, which was filed to request pretrial detention and was obtained by The Post. Busfield has not been charged in connection with the 16-year-old’s claim.

That same day, Busfield, who has been married to the “Little House on the Prairie” alum, 61, since 2013, surrendered to the Albuquerque Police Department.

“While auditioning for [Busfield] at B Street Theatre, the 16-year-old reported that [Busfield] kissed her and put his hands down her pants and touched her privates,” the latest motion alleged.

Busfield allegedly “begged the family” not to report the incident to law enforcement “if he received therapy,” per the motion.

Swift, who is a therapist, agreed “that was the best thing to do” at the time.

The “Field of Dreams” actor reportedly founded the Sacramento B Street Theatre, originally named Theatre for Children, in 1986.

Busfield had a warrant put out for his arrest in New Mexico on Jan. 9.


  Timothy Busfield is married to actress Melissa Gilbert. melissagilbert/Instagram Timothy Busfield is married to actress Melissa Gilbert. melissagilbert/Instagram

  Melissa Gilbert sits for a portrait at her home in Brighton, Michigan with Busfield in 2016. The Washington Post via Getty Images Melissa Gilbert sits for a portrait at her home in Brighton, Michigan with Busfield in 2016. The Washington Post via Getty Images

Authorities alleged that Busfield engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with twin boys who acted on the Fox show “The Cleaning Lady,” which he executive produced and shot in New Mexico, the police department confirmed to The Post.

He is accused of inappropriately touching one of the boys three or four times, and the other five or six times, per the warrant.

The alleged abuse started in 2022 when the boys were 7 years old, according to court documents.

However, the allegations were first investigated in November 2024, when a physician notified police about suspected sexual abuse and grooming after examining one of the children at the University of New Mexico Hospital, per the criminal complaint.

Busfield told police it was “highly likely” he touched kids on set, and noted that there were no specific rules regarding physical contact with children while shooting.

“I mean, I’m always around people, right? It would be, you know, in front of the parents. There would never be a weird moment about it,” Busfield, who described the show’s set as a “playful environment,” explained during a Nov. 3, 2025, interview, according to the arrest warrant.


  Timothy Busfield as Daniel Carter on “Law & Order SVU.” NBCUniversal via Getty Images Timothy Busfield as Daniel Carter on “Law & Order SVU.” NBCUniversal via Getty Images

“I don’t really remember picking those boys up,” he reportedly told investigators. “I remember picking up the boy who followed them. I’d pick him up and he’d be giggling and that would sort of get him ready to act.”

Busfield’s lawyer released a video to TMZ of the “Revenge of the Nerds” star denying the allegations against him after he surrendered to authorities on Tuesday.

Busfield claimed that he “did not do anything to those little boys” and called the accusations “all lies.”

“I’m going to fight it. I’m going to fight it with a great team, and I’m going to be exonerated,” he expressed in the video. “I know I am because this is all so wrong and all lies.”

As of Wednesday, per Deadline, Innovative Artists, a talent agency based in Los Angeles and New York, let Busfield go as a client.

The agency had a “fair-sized” team representing the “Little Big League” star during his several years with the group, per the outlet.

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