‘thirtysomething’ Producers Sue Star Busfield

MGM/UA Television Production Group Inc. sued “thirtysomething” co-star Timothy Busfield on Wednesday, claiming the actor breached his contract by refusing to return for a fourth season.

Busfield, who plays Elliot Weston on the critically acclaimed ABC show, was expected to rejoin the cast for the 1990-91 season, but informed MGM that he wanted to be paid $36,375 per episode--more than his contracted salary, the suit says.

The Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit asks that Busfield be enjoined from performing in any other television, movie or stage roles until he fulfills the terms of his contract with MGM/UA.

Busfield’s attorneys, Edward Burg and Greg Derin, say an injunction would not serve any useful purpose for the show’s producers.

“MGM would still not have Busfield’s services, but Busfield would be deprived of his livelihood,” the attorneys wrote.

The lawsuit claims that Busfield has received salary increases every year since the show’s inception in 1987. He has been nominated twice for an Emmy as best supporting actor in a drama series.

The court action says that Busfield is contractually obligated to appear in the series and that he should not be permitted to appear in a Broadway stage production of “A Few Good Men.”

A hearing date has been set for Aug. 14 to determine if an injunction should be issued preventing Busfield from taking any other roles.