Timothy Busfield

Timothy Busfield
Busfield in 2016
Born	(1957-06-12) June 12, 1957 Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Alma mater	East Tennessee State University
Occupation(s)	Actor, director
Years active	1981–present
Known for	Thirtysomething, The West Wing
Spouses	Radha Delamarter ​ ​ (m. 1982; div. 1986)​ Jennifer Merwin ​ ​ (m. 1988; div. 2007)​ Melissa Gilbert ​ (m. 2013)​
Children	3

Timothy Busfield (born June 12, 1957) is an American actor and director. He played Elliot Weston on the television series thirtysomething; Mark, the brother-in-law of Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner), in Field of Dreams; and Danny Concannon on the television series The West Wing. In 1991 he received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for thirtysomething. He is the founder of the 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization Theatre for Children, Inc. In 2024 he was inducted into the Sacramento Baseball Hall of Fame as a pitcher.

Early life and education

Busfield was born June 12, 1957, in Lansing, Michigan, the son of drama professor Roger and Michigan State University Press Director Jean Busfield. He graduated from East Lansing High School in 1975. He received his first professional acting job at 18 in a children's theater adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Busfield studied drama at East Tennessee State University and traveled frequently with the Actors Theater of Louisville, which took him to Europe and Israel. In 1981, he moved to New York City, where he joined the Circle Repertory Company for their production of Lanford Wilson's Talley and Son. That same year, he was cast in his first film role with a bit part as a mortar-bearing soldier in the comedy Stripes (1981).

Career

More stage work followed, including a stint as understudy to Matthew Broderick in Brighton Beach Memoirs in 1982. The following year, Busfield relocated to Los Angeles to join the cast of Reggie (ABC, 1983), a short-lived comedy based on the British television series The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (BBC, 1976–79). In 1984, Busfield received his first substantial film role as Arnold Poindexter, one of the Lambda Lambda Lambda fraternity brothers in the comedy Revenge of the Nerds (1984) and its 1987 sequel, and joined the cast of the medical drama Trapper John, M.D. (CBS, 1979–1986), as the son of Pernell Roberts' Trapper John McIntyre, a role he held until the series' conclusion in 1986.

Following Trapper John, M.D., Busfield and his brother Buck created the Fantasy Theatre, a professional touring company for children's audiences—and later named Honorary State Children's Theater for California—based in his new hometown of Sacramento, California. The Busfields also established the B Street Theatre there in 1992, which was devoted to more adult productions.

In 1987, Busfield was cast as Elliot on thirtysomething. The part was his first mature role to date, and the producers requested that Busfield, who was then clean shaven, grow a beard to help sell his image as a married man and father. Over the course of the show's four-season run, Elliot came to personify the best and worst aspects of the series: a successful advertising executive and father, Elliot also infuriated his friends and family (and viewers) with his marital infidelity and competitive streak with partner Michael Steadman (Ken Olin), all of which went on while his wife Nancy (Patricia Wettig) struggled with ovarian cancer. Despite his character's unpleasant tendencies, Busfield brought humor and honesty to the role, and was nominated three times for an Emmy before winning one in 1991, shortly before conflicts between the producers and cast brought the show to an abrupt conclusion.

In the summer of 1992, Busfield signed as a pitcher with the semi-pro Sacramento Smokeys. Busfield pitched for the Smokeys in between acting jobs through the 2000 season, amassed a pitching record of 30 wins and 12 losses over nine seasons.

Busfield appeared as the nominal villain in the popular Kevin Costner fantasy Field of Dreams in 1989, and in 1990, replacing Tom Hulce as the lead in A Few Good Men, a Broadway production written by Aaron Sorkin, with whom he would later enjoy fruitful collaborations. He also made his directorial debut with a 1990 episode of thirtysomething, helming three episodes of the series. Roles in television features and theatrical films followed, including supporting turns in Sneakers (1992), Quiz Show (1994) and the children's fantasy Little Big League (1994), which allowed Busfield to show off his baseball skills as the first baseman for the Minnesota Twins. His character, Lou Collins, was loosely based on Twins legend Kent Hrbek. Hrbek served as a consultant on the film.

Busfield returned to network television several times during the late 1990s. He was the patriarch of the Byrd clan, which moved from Connecticut to Hawaii in the Steven Bochco-produced The Byrds of Paradise (ABC, 1993–94), and starred as one of a group of former high school jocks still clinging to their glory days in Champs (ABC, 1996) for Ron Howard.

By the late 1990s, Busfield was dividing his time between acting and directing for television, helming multiple episodes of several shows, including Sorkin's Sports Night (ABC, 1998–2000), as well as Ed (NBC, 2000–04), for which he also served as co–executive producer and guest star (as Ed's down-on-his-luck brother Lloyd). During this period, Busfield also began his recurring role as Pulitzer Prize–winning White House correspondent—and love interest to Allison Janney's C.J. Cregg—Danny Concannon on The West Wing. He would appear sporadically on the show throughout its entire network run.

Busfield kept a foot on both sides of the camera from 2000 on; directing and executive producing the successful CBS drama Without a Trace (2002–09) and appearing occasionally as the wheelchair-using divorce attorney for Anthony LaPaglia's Jack Malone. He also directed episodes of Las Vegas (NBC, 2003–08), Damages (FX, 2007–12), and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. On the latter, he also co-starred on the short-lived Aaron Sorkin series as Cal Shanley, the occasionally nerve-plagued control director for the program's self-titled show-within-a-show. That show was canceled in 2007. Busfield then served as executive producer of the Brooke Shields-led drama, Lipstick Jungle (NBC, 2008–2009).

In 2019, Guest Artist, directed by Busfield, premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The film is written by and stars Jeff Daniels. Guest Artist was shot on location in New York City, and in Daniels' hometown of Chelsea, Michigan. This film marked the launch of Grand River Productions, a production company with Daniels, Busfield, and Melissa Gilbert.

In 2020, Busfield appeared as a guest on the Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip marathon fundraiser episode of The George Lucas Talk Show.

Busfield voiced the title character in Marvel New Media/SiriusXM's radio drama podcast series Marvel's Wastelanders: Star-Lord, appearing alongside Chris Elliott, Patrick Page, Vanessa Williams and Danny Glover.

Stage and theater

Busfield remains a stage actor and director whose Broadway credits include A Few Good Men and Brighton Beach Memoirs, where he was star Matthew Broderick's understudy. Off-Broadway, he worked with Circle Repertory Company in 1982. With elder brother Buck Busfield, he is co-founder of the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, California, where he has appeared in and directed numerous contemporary works. The Busfield brothers also established Fantasy Theater, a touring troupe that plays to children. Busfield writes children's plays for the Fantasy troupe.

Timothy Busfield professional theatre credits

• 1979 - Various roles, The Green Mountain Guild Theatre for Children (actor)
• 1979 - Thidwick The Big Hearted Moose, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville-ATL (act)
• 1979 - A Christmas Carol, ATL, (act)
• 1979 - Commencement (various roles), ATL (act)
• 1980 - They’re Coming To Make It Brighter, ATL Humana Festival (act)
• 1980 - The Green Mountain Guild Theatre For Children (act/director)
• 1980 - Getting Out, ATL International Tour w/Susan Kingsley (act)
• 1980 - Cyrano de Bergerac, ATL (act)
• 1980 - Shorts (various roles), ATL (act)
• 1981 - Park City Midnight, ATL Humana Festival (act)
• 1981 - Propinquity, ATL Humana Festival (act)
• 1981 - Spades, ATL Humana Festival (act)
• 1981 - A**hole Murder Case, ATL Humana Festival (act)
• 1981 - A Life, The Long Wharf Theatre (act)
• 1981 - A Tale Told, The Mark Taper Forum (act)
• 1982 - Richard II, Circle Repertory Company (act)
• 1982 - The First Annual Young Playwright’s Festival, Circle Rep (act, various roles)
• 1982 - The Holdup, Circle Rep (act)
• 1982 - Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Ahmanson
• 1983 - Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Curren (SF) And The Alvin (Broadway) (act)
• 1986 - Theatre for Children, Inc., (Fantasy Theatre) (Producing Director 1986-2001)
• 1986 - Fantasy Fables, (dir/co-writer)
• 1987 - Fantasy Classics, (dir/co-Writer)
• 1987 - Fantasy Americana, (dir/co-Writer)
• 1988 - Fantasy of Horrors, (co-writer)
• 1988 - Fantasy Festival II, (dir)
• 1988 - Fantasy of Franks, (dir/co-writer)
• 1989 - William Shakespeare V The Fantasy Theatre (dir/co-writer)
• 1989 - By George! (co-writer)
• 1990 - The Bark of Zorro the Musical (co-writer book)
• 1990 - A Few Good Men, Broadway (act)
• 1992 - B Street Theatre (Producing Director 1992–2001)
• 1992 - Mass Appeal (act), B St. Theatre
• 1992 - Hidden In This Picture w/Aaron Sorkin, (act/dir), B. St.
• 1992 - Talley’s Folly (act/dir), B. St
• 1993 - Fool For Love (act)
• 1993 - Private Wars (act)
• 1994 - A Couple of White Chicks (dir)
• 1994 - The Agent (act/dir)
• 1994 - The Holdup (dir)
• 1994 - Criminal Hearts (dir)
• 1995 - National Anthems (act/dir)
• 1996 - Below The Belt (act)
• 1997 - Vigil (act)
• 1998 - The Motor Trade (act/dir)
• 1998 - Vigil (act)
• 1999 - Boomtown (act/dir)
• 2000 - Escanaba in Da Moonlight (act)
• 2008 - Vigil (act), Westport Country Playhouse
• 2012 - Vigil (act, dir), Lansing Community College
• 2017 - 24 hour plays, Minneapolis

Personal life

Busfield’s first marriage was to actress and director Radha Delamarter, with whom he has a son, Willy. The couple divorced in 1986. In 1988 he married fashion designer Jennifer Merwin, with whom he has two children, Daisy and Samuel. He and Merwin filed for divorce in 2007.

In January 2013, a Busfield representative announced that Busfield had become engaged to actress Melissa Gilbert during the holiday season; they were married on April 24, 2013, in a private ceremony at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California. Busfield and Gilbert resided in Howell, Michigan, from 2013 to 2018, and Busfield was an artist in residence at Michigan State University during the 2016–17 academic year. The couple moved to New York City in late 2018.

Filmography

As actor

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1981	Stripes	Soldier With Mortar
1984	Revenge of the Nerds	Arnold Poindexter
1987	Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise	Arnold Poindexter
1989	Field of Dreams	Mark
1992	Sneakers	Dick Gordon
1993	The Skateboard Kid	Frank
1993	Striking Distance	Officer Sacco
1994	Murder Between Friends	District Attorney John Thorn
1994	Little Big League	Lou Collins
1994	Quiz Show	Fred
1996	First Kid	Secret Service Agent Woods
1998	The Souler Opposite	Robert Levin
2002	Terminal Error	Elliot Nescher
2003	National Security	Officer Charlie Reed
2005	The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie	Himself
2012	Save the Date	Benjie
2013	23 Blast	Jasper A. Duncan
2022	The Independent	Tom Mayfield

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1983	Reggie	Mark Potter	6 episodes
1984	AfterMASH	Prentiss	Episode: "C.Y.A."
1984	The Paper Chase	Barrett	Episode: "The Advocates"
1984–1986	Family Ties	Doug / Young Matt Gilbert	3 episodes
1984–1986	Trapper John, M.D.	Dr. John "J.T." McIntyre Jr., M.D.	39 episodes
1985	Hotel	Robert Bianca	Episode: "Imperfect Union"
1987	Matlock	Adam Gardner	Episode: "The Rat Pack"
1987–1991	Thirtysomething	Elliot Weston	85 episodes
1991	Strays	Paul Jarrett	Television film
1992	Calendar Girl, Cop, Killer? The Bambi Bembenek Story	Fred Schultz	Television Film
1993	Screen One	Ephraim Lipshitz	Episode: "Wall of Silence"
1994	The Byrds of Paradise	Sam Byrd	12 episodes
1995	Kidnapped: In the Line of Duty	Pete Honeycutt	Television film
1995	The Outer Limits	Dr. Jon Holland	Episode: "Under the Bed"
1996	Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman	Spy Guy	Episode: "Seconds" uncredited
1996	Champs	Tom McManus	12 episodes
1997	Tracey Takes On...	Businessman #2	Episode: "Food"
1997	Trucks	Ray Porter	Television film
1997	Buffalo Soldiers	Major Robert Carr	Television film
1997	What's Right With America	Walter Gordon	Television special
1999	Time at the Top	Frank Shawson	Television film
1999–2006	The West Wing	Danny Concannon	28 episodes
2000	Rude Awakening	John	Episode: "If I Could See Me Now: Part 2"
2001	Cover Me	Detective Mackowitz	Episode: "Home for the Holidays"
2002	Dead in a Heartbeat	Zachary Franklin	Television film
2002–2004	Ed	Lloyd Stevens	3 episodes
2004	Without a Trace	Ed Felder	3 episodes
2005–2009	Entourage	TV Director / Himself	3 episodes
2006–2007	Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip	Cal Shanley	22 episodes
2010	Law & Order	Ray Backlund	Episode: "Brilliant Disguise"
2010	Outlaw	District Attorney Mereta	Episode: "In Re: Tracy Vidalin"
2011	Beyond the Blackboard	School District HR Representative	Television film
2011	Law & Order: Special Victims Unit	Daniel Carter	Episode: "Russian Brides"
2012	Blue Bloods	Charles Bynes	Episode: "Leap of Faith"
2012	Childrens Hospital	Dr. Bloomfield	Episode: "Behind the Scenes"
2012–2013	The Mob Doctor	David Ellis	2 episodes
2013	Revolution	Dr. Ethan Camp	Episode: "The Love Boat"
2013	Perception	George	Episode: "Neuropositive"
2014–2015	Sleepy Hollow	Benjamin Franklin	3 episodes
2015	The Night Shift	Shane	Episode: "Hold On"
2015	Secrets and Lies	John Garner	4 episodes
2018	One Dollar	Uncle Rich	2 episodes
2018–2019	Designated Survivor	Dr. Adam Louden	4 episodes
2019	The Loudest Voice	Neil Mullin	2 episodes
2019	Heartstrings	Logan Cantrell	Episode: "Sugar Hill"
2019–2020	Almost Family	Ron Doyle	6 episodes
2020–2021	For Life	Henry Roswell	Main role; 19 episodes
2020	The George Lucas Talk Show	Himself	Episode: "Stu-D2 1138 on the Binary Sunset Sith"
2023	Billions (TV series)	Dr. Mark	Season 7, Episode 7

As director

• Thirtysomething (1987–1991)
• Sports Night (1998–2000)
• Ed (2000–2004)
• Lizzie McGuire (2001)
• Without a Trace (2002–2009)
• Las Vegas (2003–2004; 2007–2008)
• Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006–2007)
• Damages (2007–2011)
• Lipstick Jungle (2008)
• Lie to Me (2009)
• White Collar (2009)
• The Deep End (2010)
• The Glades (2010)
• No Ordinary Family (2010)
• Psych (2012)
• Franklin & Bash (2012)
• Revolution (2013)
• The Fosters (2013)
• Childrens Hospital (2013)
• Secrets and Lies (2015)
• The Night Shift (2015–2017)
• Second Chance (2016)
• Aquarius (2016)
• This Is Us (2017)
• Nashville (2017–2018)
• Designated Survivor (2018–2019)
• One Dollar (2018)
• The Rookie (2018)
• Guest Artist (2019)
• Dolly Parton's Heartstrings (2019)
• The Conners (2020)
• FBI (2021–2023)
• FBI: Most Wanted (2022)
• Chicago Med (2022–2023)
• The Cleaning Lady (2024)

External links

• Timothy Busfield at IMDb