Thomas Gibson Fired From "Criminal Minds" After Altercation With Show"s Writer

Thomas Gibson Fired From "Criminal Minds" After On-Set Altercation

Time to say goodbye to Aaron Hotchner. Thomas Gibson, who plays the FBI special agent onCriminal Minds, is leaving thelong-running CBS crime procedural,producers announced on Friday, August 12. The news follows the actor"s altercation with a show writer, which went public on August 11.

Thomas Gibson on "Criminal Minds" Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty Images PHOTOS: TV"s 10 Most Shocking Deaths of the 2015-2016 Season

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

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Gibson addressed his exit in a statement released to Us:"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."

The 54-year-old actor, who has starred on the drama since the September 2005 pilot, had previously been suspended for two episodes after reports surfaced that he kicked a writer in the leg on the set a few weeks ago during a spat about a season 12 episode that Gibson was directing.

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There were creative differences on the set and a disagreement, the Dharma and Greg alum said in a statement on August 11. 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.

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A source told Us that the on-set spat was a "minor disagreement," and that Gibson is a "kind-hearted family man."

This was already a time of transition for the popular show. Original series star Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan) said goodbye in season 11, while Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) returns in a recurring capacity for season 12.

Tell Us: Will you still watch Criminal Minds without Thomas Gibson?

Criminal Minds returns to CBS Wednesday, September 28, at 9 p.m. ET.

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Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/thomas-gibson-fired-from-criminal-minds-after-fight-with-writer-w434243