Actor Thomas Gibson is out of a cushy gig, losing his job on the CBS series Criminal Minds after kicking one of the show’s writers during an altercation last month. The 54-year-old actor, whom you may remember from Dharma and Greg, played FBI special agent Aaron Hotchner on the show. He was suspended from production after kicking writer Virgil Williams in the leg. Temper, temper, Thomas. Didn’t Dharma teach you anything about taking the high road in an argument?
The show’s producers released a statement on Friday regarding Thomas’ firing, stating, “Thomas Gibson has been dismissed from Criminal Minds. Creative details for how the character’s exit will be addressed in the show will be announced at a later date.”
As for Thomas, who has been on Criminal Minds since it began in 2005 (I can’t believe it’s been on that long) had this to say after getting the ax:
“I love Criminal Minds and have put my heart and soul into it for the last twelve years. I had hoped to see it through to the end, but that won’t be possible now. I would just like to say thank you to the writers, producers, actors, our amazing crew, and, most importantly, the best fans that a show could ever hope to have.”
Thomas apparently isn’t leaving without a fight, enlisting law firm Miller Barondess to look into the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the show’s producers.
Thomas’ Criminal Minds co-star, Shemar Moore, posted and then took down a video on Instagram dropping a hearty dose of shade. He slammed Thomas for being disrespectful and behaving badly on sat and sais “Lot of birdies chirping out there; the gossip is real. I hear it. I see it. I’m sure a lot of you do, too, so I’ll just say this: I believe in karma.” Ouch.
Variety confirms that Thomas and Shemar “had an extremely tense relationship” and details another incident, in 2010, in which he shoved an assistant producer on set and was ordered to take anger management courses. On set sources claim that Thomas had a “mercurial personality,” could be difficult to work with and that “You never knew which Thomas Gibson was going to show up.”
Actors should not be bullies and should never take out their anger in such a physical, violent way. I sure hope he’s learned his lesson.
Photo credit: WENN.com, Fame Flynet
judging by his whiny, blame-free statement and the fact he might be lawyering up, i doubt he’s learned anything. shameful behaviour.
Oh well, either way it’s a wrap for that series. Thomas Gibson’s character was the show.
+1
You said it. I watched whatever became of this show after the exit of Patinkin and Shemar, for Gibson. He epitomised the overworked FBI agent. There is no way I’m going to be watching it for Mantegna.
I know. What would Dharma say?
That he needs auditing and that scientology can cure him of his anger issues.
“Put your anger in a bubble & blow it away” – Dharma
Apparently the powers that be learned their lesson. If they continued to employ someone with such temper issues they could be seen as approving a hostile work environment. Not a good thing anywhere but especially in Hollywood when you consider the unions in showbiz.
I guess this will also be the final nail in the coffin of a show that ran way too long?
I read on another side, that people (maybe Team Gibson) was trying to paint the writer as the aggressor in this story and that poor Thomas Gibson was only defending himself. Yeah, sure.
Others are trying to spin it that the producer was treating Padget Brewster badly in order to get Gibson to react. Separating a good character from the unprofessional actor playing that character is difficult for some people.
The show has become so formulaic in the last three years. Perhaps it’s time it was shelved. I don’t think Beyond Borders is any better.
I just watched two episodes of Beyond Borders. I didn’t like it at all. I liked the other spin-off though, maybe just because I like Forest Whitaker and Janeane Garofalo. Watching a few episodes of CSI NY has ruined Gary Sinise for me (unless we are talking about Forrest Gump), I just couldn’t stand the whole cast. Only CSI Miami was worse.
CM lost its mojo years ago – some people say the show could need new faces. I think the new faces in almost every season since Paget Brewster had left is one of the reasons the show is not as good anymore. They were just throwing casting choices against the wall to see what would stick with the fans. Another reason is that is has become formularic as you’ve said.
I dont really like both beyond border and suspect behaviors tbh. or maybe i like SB a bit more because it got garcia in it.
If only he had been better looking or starred in a Disney mega franchise then we’d be discussing how the writer goaded him into it
I can’t believe the amount of leeway these men are given. Can you imagine a woman being allowed to behave in this way?
But here he did not get away with this so noneed to compare with women.
Except it’s mentioned in this article that he got away with it a few times and was sent to anger management classes instead of being properly punished. This firing took place because he’s a liability.
This article only states one other time and he didn’t get away with it. He was sent to anger management. Getting away with it would be not consequences at all.
Still I’m not excusing his behavior. You can mouth off to people, you can talk about them but you should never put your hands on them and not expect any consequences for your actions.
Katherine Heigl is still paying for complaining about writing. This guy has assaulted people on set and gotten only anger management classes (which let’s face it, were probably only to appease his victim). There are plenty of cases of men physically assaulting work mates on set and getting away with it – Tom Hardy anybody? That behaviour is treated as though it’s a mere consequence on talent, whereas the woman who is merely a little “mouthy” gets thrown to the wolves. Remember how often were read about Lea Michelle being a diva? That was around the same time that this douche was PHYSICALLY attacking colleagues and yet no little birdie came a tattling.Why? Because women behaving a little badly inspire far more wrath on set than men behaving very badly.
Actually that’s exactly what many fans of the show are saying. The writer is unpopular with the fans and is involved with MMA. So many are painting him as the bad guy. They are bending over backwards talking about Gibson’s depression, sick mother, and the stress of his family living in San Antonio and his difficulties going back and forth.
Well this is from Page Six
There’s more to “Criminal Minds” star Thomas Gibson’s on-set altercation than a quick kick.
A source confirmed to Page Six that two weeks ago, Gibson, 54, got into a physical fight during filming with co-executive producer Virgil Williams, but insists the fight wasn’t as big of a deal as headlines made it seem.
“It wasn’t like [Gibson] punched him,” the source said. “Williams is a boxer and a martial artist, he’s no angel. He can be very aggressive.”
Williams allegedly instigated the incident, which stemmed from a disagreement over a script. “[Williams] got very aggressive, so Thomas walked away and then he felt like the guy was coming after him. He turned around and kicked just on instinct, like a reflex,” the source added.
Williams then reported the incident to his agent, at which point it became a human resources issue, leading to Gibson’s two-episode suspension.
Gibson admitted that an incident did take place, telling us in a statement: “There were creative differences on the set and a disagreement. 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.”
Like they say there are two sides to every story and then there’s the truth.
@Naya- Dig up the Hollywood Reporter article on Katie Heigel. She did more than “complain” about the scripts. Her mother and her held up productions or threw tantrums for miniscule things such as wardrobe and craft services. When you start costing production money and you are not bringing in the viewers (box office), that’s the kiss of death. She did it numerous times. I wish people would stop making this a woman thing. Katie’s behavior was horrible since the beginning of her career (with that WB show that I forget the name of, Grey’s etc.).
We go over this every single time she is covered here and every single time someone conflates the issue of her decreased roles with the public shaming. These are two different issues and I am concerned with the public shaming.
So to be clear, she was a romcom actress who looked in her 30s and had little range, her box office trajectory was always going to be downwards. A smart actress in the genre simply readjusts her film sizes. Jen Anniston has been able to command that world into her mid 40s because she took smaller budget movies, Katherine didnt. That was a tactical error not a b*tchy one.
Thats not the issue here. The problem is how her offences were magnified by the fact that she is female to the point that she is STILL being asked about her comments over the writing 10 years later. Whats more, is that smaller infractions by women “leak” into the news because thats how society deals with errant women, you gossip about them and you shun them. David Caruso had to try to get a co star fired and allienate the rest of the cast before they were even murmurs about him. Alec Baldwin only hit the radar because his behavior was being caught on pap cameras and to this day, we still dont know exactly what he put Tina and company through. Depp set his underwear on fire on the set of 21 Jump Street, do you recall him being expected to apologise for it a decade later? Do you recall any man from Bill Murray to James Cameron being asked by an interviewer to comment about a DV incident 10 years after the fact? Women exist for humiliating and a “bad” woman will pay forever. A horrific monster of a man on the other hand wil move on just fine.
Actually he has indicated he was goaded into it. I have been following this story since last week. He claimed the writer/co-producer came at him in an aggressive manner and the kick was purely self-defense.
Yes, I posted that right above.
Oh please, what’s Naomi Campbell’s body count these days?
I’m a fan of CM but fine with Hotch being kicked.
After 12 years, the show could use some new faces.
Agree. His character is so dour on the show. They need a new boss. His personal life is a mess so I’m not surprised by his behavior.
Just another person with NPD self-destructing.
I wonder if Gibson’s attitude contributed to Shemar’s departure and if he’ll come back. I wouldn’t mind Morgan back.
I haven’t watched in so long I didn’t even know Shemar left. Oh Lordy, without those two, doesn’t seem like much of a show left.
Yeap, I’d rather have Morgan than Hotch
While I didn’t dislike Morgan, I’ve always found SM’s acting over wrought. He always seemed in soap mode. And I gag at his baby girling Garcia.
mayamae: Oh am I with you on that. The baby girling was indeed gag inducing and it go old real quick…..as did Garcia. Their version of Abby on NCIS….
Shemar back would be sweet
god, yes… I hated the baby girl stuff and Garcia.
The show is over, No Morgan or Hotch. And they couldn’t even keep a female agent as replacement for Paget Brewster. But Hotch was my favorite and then Morgan.
Maybe they will try to entice Moore to come back but even that won’t save this show.
But Paget is back this season and they are also bringing the guy from CSI Miami – Adam Rodriguez. It’s actually looking pretty good. Maybe they make Paget the boss.
Morgan was a bit in soap mode but his hotness is worth it. I hated his going away story.
I know she’s back. I was just stating that when she left they tried and failed at replacing her. Paget only came back because her pilot didn’t get picked up and she really couldn’t find good work anywhere else. But I don’t see her as being the boss, maybe Rossi. Adam is taking up the slack for Moore but even he can’t save this show if Gibson is out.
I think the show is over without Gibson. While Moore is hot and I loved to look at him, Gibson was the show.
I think Paget is ony back for one episode.
@als
Not sure if I like the idea of Adam Rodriguez on the show. I would probably have a hard time separating him from his csi character.
Actually Mandy Patinkin was the show’s star originally, not Gibson. I miss him, even though he’s a jerk too.
Also, that black, black hair…..step away from the dye bottle
Did they only fire him once it became public? Given the previous incident, it seems like he should have been given the boot immediately after it happened.
I would expect that they took the time to conduct a proper workplace investigation by gathering all evidence and talking to all involved parties and witnesses, then reviewed what was allowable under the terms of the contract, especially as they seemed to have a progressive discipline policy in place. As an employment law attorney, that is what I would have advised them to do. It makes it less messy and helps to defend the employer’s actions when the former employee sues, as Gibson is threatening to do.
That makes sense, but it’s just striking me as a little suspicious that he was fired right after it became public. I can’t help but wonder id they were trying to sweep it under the rug?
I can’t believe he is threatening to sue.
Well Lucy you said it. Maybe their intentions were not to fire him and he could have known that. But once it became public they turned around and gave him the boot. His argument could be just that. They only fired him because it became public.
Based on the fact that he’s considering suing the show/producers AND the complete absence of any apology from his statement…
I would say no, he has not learned anything. I hope this turd is kept out of work until he can demonstrate he’s taken steps to control his anger and be a better person.
Yeah, I thought the lack of apology was extremely glaring. He’s not admitting any wrongdoing so I can’t imagine he has learned or grown from this. Ugh.
He hasn’t learned a darn thing. A friend worked with him on CM a few years ago and said he was a horrible jerk to her, screaming and yelling. (She was a medical expert for an episode). This is a pattern of behavior with Gibson. Glad CBS fired him.
I have friend who worked on CM some seasons ago and she told me that she wasn’t given all the new pages for a script and he “got scary” on her, quietly telling her through gritted teeth about how if she didn’t have all the new pages, she was useless (she wasn’t given ONE page that was still being reworked.) She said Joe Mantegna stepped in between Thomas Gibson and her and told him to grow up and act like a fully functioning adult “for once”. She said Joe Mantegna was awesome.
Mantegna always seemed like a sweetheart. Glad to hear that about him. TG bums me out. I like his character on the show, but he does seem to have anger issues that go way back. I’m surprised they would let him direct, as it seems he may not have a great relationship with the rest of the cast.
My friend refused to go back on the CM set after the incident with Gibson, she went over to The Closer instead and said they were all lovely.
Sad to hear this. I loved his character on the show. But hooray for actions being taken against shitty behaviour like this!
I hope he doesn’t treat his wife & children this way. Although if that’s been his pattern of behavior at work all these years then I don’t see how you turn that off completely once you get home. He’s been married to the same woman sine 1993.
I’m not defending him by any means but once when I was in high school a co-worker of my dad’s mentioned what a hard ass he was. I kinda pressed him on his comment, because I found that hard to believe, and he told me stories of how intimidating my dad could be. It was a side to him I’d never heard about, because he was so completely and utterly mild mannered at home. Still, he never kicked anyone…so who knows how well Gibson could turn it on and off.
You must have missed the video where he was catfished,” tricked” into an online relationship with a fake woman. It is cringe worthy.
I remember that; it was so embarrassing. What makes it even worse was that he was on vacation with his wife and kids at that time.
They separated about 3 years ago. He is however, staying in the basement of the marital home for the sake of the children. They have 3 boys. I hope they didn’t inherit his temper.
Actually it’s two boys and one girl.
The show peaked out several years ago in my opinion. He seems like the male version of Hope Solo. Tsk..
First three seasons were freaking amazing…..then I think season 5 and seasoon 7 were really good (well the ones with Emily and JJ’s stories)……..and then that’s about it. I just watched season 11 on Netflix, and I’d say 3 or 4 of the episodes are worth watching again……
But without Hotch (who is my fave character)….oy. I don’t see how the show is going to last. But that’s what he gets. He’s lawyering up AND basically blamed the other person for it in his “statement” (won’t even say apology…it was not)…….
The early shows with Mandy Patinkin were entertaining if gory but I haven’t watched the last few series, it needs axing or a major reboot.
Never watched the show but that is one serious douchebag face. What a scumbag.
Was just going to say… he looks creepy!!
Good riddance. He looks like a spoiled punk.
Rumor is that his “anger” issues come in the bottle. He needs rehab, from what I understand.
Possibly. And the mercurial nature of many an actor makes them amazing to watch on screen, and hell to deal with off. But once they get abusive, screw it. And them.
–TheRealPinky
it is what some journalists said on Twitter.
Do anger management classes ever work?
I love CM and his character is one of my favorites but his behavior is unacceptable, hope he gets the help he needs.
I thought She Mar Moore comment was about the coworker who stole from his charity and was sentenced/fined, not Gibson.
I thought the producer was the problem.
There is someone who was on the show once or twice. Befriended by Moore and who ended up possibly stealing over $50,000 from Moore’s tshirt company. Big discussion on that over at LipStickAlley.
I’ve been reading that the person Moore is suing embezzled from Moore’s charity.
I think it was from the Baby Girl t-shirt and clothing line. A portion of those profits go to MS charities, but the clothing business itself isn’t a charity.
I honestly didn’t think that he would be fired because he is a white male but he actually was. So, I commend the production for just getting rid of him.
And that will pretty much end his acting career.
Ugh, that show. I think I caught two episodes, both glorified assaulting the female body. Absolutely disgusting.
As is a 54 year old man in a professional setting who KICKS a colleague.
It can cross into torture porn. Some of the story lines have bothered me more than anything I see on The Walking Dead.
That’s exactly why I don’t watch!
I’m so glad to hear someone else say that! My friend and I became so disturbed by that show we stopped watching after about season 6 or so. The Walking Dead was nothing compared to some of those stories lines. It’s not the gore, it’s just how disturbing the stories were and how awful the unsubs could be.
My boss once called The Walking Dead ‘evil’. I pointed out that she watched Criminal Minds. I think she realized she wasn’t in a position to complain about TWD.
I’ve only seen an episode or two, and I thought the same thing. I haven’t watched any more than that.
I vaguely recall Mandy Patinkin saying something similar when he left the show a while back, that the subject matter bothered him. Of course he ended up on Homeland, which isn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows either, but…
+ 12 on this I could never get through more than a couple of episodes because it really seemed to glorify and relish violence, torture, darkness. No thank you.
Kicking a guy in the shins? Completely wrong, but also…just juvenile. Good riddance.
Wow. The USA’s very own Jeremy Clarkson!
This is why I JUST said yesterday to someone on Twitter: We women need to have the Confidence of a Mediocre White man and that dude that talked to us Outside of Walmart…… I Mean THE AUDACITY….. Not Just that an Adult ass Man on a Dinky Ass Show ( No Shade I can get high and Veg all day “solving Crimes” with Criminal Minds and Law & Order, But Let’s be real) to be throwing 5 year old level Tantrum without much repercussion, cause he only did that cause he thought he could! and he got away with it at least once that we know of!? RIDICULOUS!, an extra layer added cause honestly he is as stiff as a board in that show! LOL but he’ll find another vehicle cause Hollywood!
Hahahaha you’re sooooo right about the “confidence” bit. It’s amazing what they feel they’re entitled to and should get. Awe-inspiring in a cringy way
Remember his “I am not resisting … I am not resisting” DUI arrest? I wonder if rehab is what’s next for him?
The character really should have left after what happened to his son last season. I honestly assumed that is where they were headed, to be honest. That kid has been through a lot, and although Dad is good at what he does, I can’t imagine anyone not taking a teaching position with the FBI or something so that he didn’t have to travel so much and would be there for his child. I just hope they don’t kill him off. That imaginary kid has been through too much as it is.
I liked Hotch, but I like Rossi better so I’m good. I was in it at the beginning for Reid and Morgan, but honestly, I’m pretty much staying for Rossi and Penelope.
I’m not surprised, he’s a known douchebag.
I liked him in various movies and films in the past, but he’s deluded if he thinks he has any big clout.
I thought he was hot in “Far and Away” with Cruise and Kidman and the tv show “Chicago Hope”. Never knew he was an asshole.
Say that Gideon’s was faked to protect him. Have him be the head of the unit, and bring back Moore.
I don’t think Mandy Patinkin will be back. He had some choice words for the writers and producers of that show when he left. He even said the biggest public mistake he ever made was to do that show. He said it was destructive to his soul and personality.
I can’t believe I’m still watching that show, especially because I’m only watching it for Reid who’s practically been reduced to a supporting actor in the last (three) seasons without any proper storyline.
Morgan and Reid vtw
Just a few random observations/opinions. 1–the issue with Shemar Moore is entirely separate. Gibson flies home every weekend to Texas where his family is based. Moore apparently has a well-documented history (there are behind the scenes videos pointing to this) of being late and joking about it. Gibson is apparently pretty hard-ass about getting out of there on time. So whoever is in the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ on that issue, it’s separate from any anger issues. SM seems popular with the cast–if he had a beef with TG, I wonder if he’ll come back. Or if he really did just need a break from the grind. 2–it’s hilarious that the writer is described as being non-violent ‘because he wears a bow tie’ (this from one of the press remark. not saying whether its true or not, it’s really relevant, but just a pretty funny thing to say as proof. 3–I think there are behind-the-scenes machinations here. The producers (whether of the show or CBS) have shown themselves as crapweasels for years. To cut costs, they fired AJ Cook and Paget Brewster–the only females beside Kristen Vangness and really more important to the show as they were the only 2 female agents. They replaced the 2 with 1 actress at a cheaper price. They were brought back after public outcry and a ratings hit but the stench of sexism remains. Paget left the next year or two and has been pretty guarded in her remarks about the show (or at least the higher ups) and has returned only for sporadic episodes in the years since. So I think there’s a bit of maybe taking the opportunity to save on a big contract. Not that Gibson didn’t totally give them a way out but I think they’re eager to pounce as well on the excuse. 4–more regarding the producers. Mandy Patinkin voluntarily left about 3-4 seasons in citing the dark tone of the show. He otherwise said nothing but complimentary things about his costars. (The writers and producers not so much but not at first) But the producers have trashed him for years–dropping hints about him being difficult and whatnot. True, or not, There was no need. They just seem pretty petty. I think that’s also in play here which brings me to 5–that’s where Gibson’s potential lawsuit is headed, I think. Not that he was fired unfairly–you can’t assault a coworker after all,let alone as a 2nd offense–but that now the producers are leaking all kinds of negative stories about his professionalism, etc..If he brings suit, that has to be the direction. But Gibson probably could do with the time off. He’s had at least one DUI, a prior incident with shoving a PA, the ‘catfishing’ episode–plus, based on what others have said upthread, he obviously has some issues with anger, and perhaps alcohol, and doesn’t deal well, if at all, with them. For his sake, and his family’s, hopefully this will be a wake-up call for him to seek treatment.
Not sure where his law suit is heading but if the PTB knew he has/had depression then he has ADA protections since it is a protected illness. Interesting if he decides to afford himself of those protections.
Well this is very dissapointing because I love this show. Shemar left to pursue other opportunities and I wish him the best.
With the character of Hotch leaving it will not be the same. The character of Mogan leaving was bad for the show. And they just signed a new contract with Aisha Taylor. Worst character ever on the show. They should just cancel it at the end of the season unless Prentis takes over but get rid of the Aisha character.
As far as Thomas, I hope he gets the help he needs and that he doesn’t treat other people like that.