Thomas Gibson Is 'Hurt' by 'Criminal Minds' Firing, Explains the Kick That Got Him Sacked

The actor known for his role as Aaron Hotchner says of being sacked from the CBS show, 'It seems like they're trying to erase me from the show.'

• Sep 23, 2016

AceShowbiz - Thomas Gibson shared his side of story after he was fired from "Criminal Minds" for allegedly kicking co-writer and producer Virgil Williams during a heated argument. "It seems like they're trying to erase me from the show. That hurts," he told PEOPLE.

"We were shooting a scene late one night when I went to Virgil and told him there was a line that I thought contradicted an earlier line," the actor recalled the on-set altercation. "He said, 'Sorry, it's necessary, and I absolutely have to have it.' "

A frustrated Gibson then told the other actors about what happened. "He [Williams] came into that room and started coming towards me. As he brushed past me, my foot came up and tapped him on the leg," Gibson said. "If I hadn't moved, he would have run into me. We had some choice words, for which I apologized the next day, and that was it. It was over. We shot the scene, I went home - and I never got to go back."

"I feel like it took years to make a good reputation and a minute to damage it," the 54-year-old star said. "My pride and reputation are hurt, but in the end I know the good work is what people will remember. I just need more opportunities to do good work and be a good guy."

"I'm using this time to be with my kids, and I look forward to what's next," the father of three added. "Maybe I'll do a comedy, or a play, or direct, or produce."