With everyman looks accentuated by unruly red locks, intermittent facial hair and a fluctuating frame, this character actor has carved out a career playing tormented professionals. Although he first made an impression as a violin-playing geek in the film
Revenge of the Nerds, Busfield came to prominence on the small screen, first with a two-year stint as the title character's son on
Trapper John, M.D. and then in an Emmy-winning turn as a stressed-out yuppie on the late-'80s drama
thirtysomething. While on the show, Busfield launched a concurrent career behind the camera, helming a number of episodes and later directing and producing multiple series, including
Ed and
Without a Trace. He also appeared on Broadway in
A Few Good Men and became friends with the show's playwright, Aaron Sorkin. Over the years, Sorkin gave Busfield plenty of work both behind (
Sports Night) and in front of the camera (such as recurring roles on
The West Wing and
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip). In addition to his Hollywood work, Busfield and his brother run the B Street Theatre in Sacramento.
Timothy Busfield Fast Facts:
- Played semi-pro baseball.
- Made his movie debut in 1981's Stripes.
- Grew a beard to look older (he was 29 at the time) when he auditioned for Elliot on thirtysomething.
- West Wing castmate Joshua Malina is his brother-in-law.
- Timothy Busfield Relationships:
- Julia Busfield - Sister
- Radha Delamarter - Ex-wife
- Roger Busfield - Father
- Samuel Clark Busfield - Son
- Terry Schmit - Sister
- Virginia Busfield - Mother
- Willy Busfield - Son
- Buck Busfield - Brother
- Daisy Busfield - Daughter
- Jennifer Merwin - Wife (separated)
- Timothy Busfield Awards:
- 1988 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 1989 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 1990 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 1991 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Winner
- College:
- East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN (1978)
