Thomas Gibson has been suspended from Criminals Minds after a physical fight with a writer, according to TMZ.
A few weeks ago, the 54-year-old actor was directing and acting in a scene for season 12 of his hit CBS show when he got into a dispute with one of the writers, sources told TMZ. The tension heightened, and Gibson kicked the writer in the leg, TMZ reports.
Afterward, the writer alerted his agent to the incident, and the agent called CBS executives. The network suspended Gibson, and he has been away from the set for two weeks, TMZ reports.
Per Deadline, which also confirmed that an altercation occurred, Gibson will be written off the episodes that are filmed during his suspension, since production must continue on schedule. His directing stint on Criminal Minds for now will also come to an end.
Gibson is part of the original Criminal Minds cast, and has played Special Agent Aaron Hotchner since the series premiered in 2005. He has directed six episodes of the show so far.
“There were creative differences on the set and a disagreement,” Gibson told TMZ. “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.”
A source adds to Us Weekl, “Thomas is the most kindhearted family man. He’s a great father, takes care of his mom and spends as much time with his kids as possible. He flies home every weekend to San Antonio to be with his kids after working 12 to 15 hour days during the week. I hate that this minor disagreement is what people are hearing about him.”
Criminal Minds returns to CBS Wednesday, September 28, at 9 p.m. ET.
