Timothy Busfield

Timothy Busfield (born June 12, 1957) is an American actor and director. He has played Elliot Weston on the television series thirtysomething; Mark, Kevin Costner's brother-in-law in Field of Dreams; and Danny Concannon on the television series The West Wing. In 1991 he received a Primetime Emmy Award as best supporting actor in a drama series. He is also the founder of the 501c3 non-profit children's theatre Fantasy Theatre for Children and B Street Theatre.

Early life and education

Busfield was born in Lansing, Michigan, the son of drama professor Roger and secretary Jean Busfield.

Career

In 1981, Busfield had a small part in the blockbuster Stripes with Bill Murray and Harold Ramis. He plays the part of a mortar gunner on the practice range.

In 1984 Busfield landed his first major film part, as Arnold Poindexter in Revenge of the Nerds. He reprised the role in the 1987 sequel to that film, Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise.

Busfield's first television series was Trapper John, M.D., in which he played the physician son of the title character. Immediately prior to being cast on the 1980s series thirtysomething, he was still often playing teenagers and young adults, and the producers of the show asked him to grow his beard so he'd look old enough for the role. He would win an Emmy Award for this role. Later he was cast in the lead of other series, although none have lasted very long. Produced by Steven Spielberg, The Byrds of Paradise with Arlo Guthrie may be the most memorable for its setting in Hawaii and its offbeat characters.