Thomas Gibson Fired From Criminal Minds Following On-Set Altercation

Thomas Gibson has been fired from CBS's Criminal Minds after 12 seasons following an on-set altercation with a producer.

"Thomas Gibson has been dismissed from Criminal Minds," ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios said in a statement. "Creative details for how the character's exit will be addressed in the show will be announced at a later date."

Thomas Gibson responds to Criminal Minds firing

Originally, Gibson was set to receive a two-episode suspension after news broke earlier this week that he kicked a producer on set while shooting an episode that Gibson was directing.

"There were creative differences on the set and a disagreement," Gibson said earlier this week in a statement to address his suspension. "I regret that it occurred. We all want to work together as a team to make the best show possible. We always have and always will."

But CBS and ABC Studios announced Friday that Gibson is being dropped entirely.

Gibson has portrayed lead character Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner on Criminal Minds since the show premiered in 2005. This will be the second major character departure in as many seasons, after series regular Shemar Moore left the show (on his own terms) towards the end of last season.

This wasn't the first time Gibson had gotten into a physical altercation on the Criminal Minds set. In a previous incident, he reportedly pushed another producer and had to attend anger management classes, though he was not suspended. In 2013, Gibson was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Gibson previously starred as a series lead on Dharma & Greg.

More on this story as it develops.

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