Six Women Accuse Actor Timothy Busfield of Sexual Abuse

Allegations span decades, from 1993 to 2017, with victims ranging from minors to young adults

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:37pm by Ben Kaplan

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Actor Timothy Busfield has been accused of sexual abuse by six women, with allegations dating back to 1993. The women, who were between the ages of 16 and 22 at the time of the alleged incidents, claim Busfield groped them, forced himself on them, and made inappropriate comments. Some of the women say they reported the incidents at the time, but no action was taken. Busfield is also facing separate charges of child sexual abuse involving twin boys on the set of "The Cleaning Lady" in 2021.

Why it matters

These allegations against a well-known and respected actor highlight the systemic issues of sexual abuse and harassment in the entertainment industry, particularly the power dynamics that can enable predatory behavior. The stories also demonstrate how difficult it can be for victims, especially young women and minors, to come forward and be believed, even decades later.

The details

The allegations against Busfield span from 1993 to 2017 and involve six women. One woman says she was a 16-year-old intern at Busfield's theater company in 1996 when he assaulted her in his office. Another woman says she was a 20-year-old apprentice at the theater in 2000 when Busfield groped her and then harassed her for the rest of her apprenticeship. A third woman says Busfield assaulted her on the set of the 1993 film "Little Big League" when she was 17. A fourth woman, actress Claudia Christian, says Busfield assaulted her in his trailer on the set of the 1991 film "Strays." The fifth woman says Busfield made inappropriate comments and unwanted physical contact when she worked as his personal assistant in 2017, after taking his class at Michigan State University.

  • In 1993, Busfield allegedly assaulted a 17-year-old extra on the set of "Little Big League."
  • In 1996, Busfield allegedly assaulted a 16-year-old intern at his theater company in Sacramento.
  • In 2000, Busfield allegedly assaulted a 20-year-old apprentice at his theater company and then harassed her for the remainder of her apprenticeship.
  • In 2017, Busfield allegedly made inappropriate comments and unwanted physical contact with a 22-year-old personal assistant he had hired after she took his class at Michigan State University.

The players

Timothy Busfield

A 69-year-old actor known for his roles in shows like "thirtysomething" and "The West Wing." He is accused of sexually abusing multiple women over the course of several decades.

Claudia Christian

A 61-year-old actress who says Busfield assaulted her in his trailer on the set of the 1991 film "Strays."

Eliza Garrett Roberts

The wife of actor Eric Roberts and the stepmother of actress Emma Roberts. She testified in a deposition that Busfield had previously made inappropriate sexual advances towards her.

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What they’re saying

“He grabbed me in between the legs and pulled me down from the ladder and turned me around and stuck his tongue down my throat and touched me all over aggressively. And I pushed him off of me.”

— Victim #1, 16-year-old intern at Busfield's theater company in 1996 (livejournal.com)

“It felt like sexual assault. He almost dove on me. I was in shock because I didn't see it coming. I said no, I'm not interested. And he was heaving. His body was heaving and he was upset and he was really angry that I did that to him.”

— Victim #2, 20-year-old apprentice at Busfield's theater company in 2000 (livejournal.com)

“It happened so fast. He probably grabbed me around the chest area and threw me against the wall. And I mean, it was enough to shock and scare me, and I'm a pretty tough cookie. He was trying to push me against the wall and basically dry hump me.”

— Claudia Christian (Mirror US)

What’s next

Busfield's trial on the charges related to the twin boys is scheduled for May 2027 in New Mexico. The six women who have come forward with allegations against Busfield are expected to testify at the trial.

The takeaway

These disturbing allegations against a high-profile actor underscore the need for continued vigilance and action to address the systemic issues of sexual abuse and harassment in the entertainment industry. The stories highlight the power dynamics and barriers that can prevent victims, especially young women and minors, from coming forward at the time of the incidents. This case serves as a sobering reminder that predatory behavior often spans decades and involves multiple victims.