Criminal Minds star Thomas Gibson has been fired from the CBS series after he allegedly kicked a screenwriter during a creative dispute.
The 54-year-old actor, who has portrayed FBI agent Aaron Hotchner since the show began in 2005, has been dismissed from the show.
"Thomas Gibson has been dismissed from Criminal Minds," CBS and ABC said in a joint statement. "Creative details for how the character's exit will be addressed in the show will be announced at a later date."
Gibson, who had been with the show since its 2005 debut, told USA TODAY in a statement, "I love Criminal Minds and have put my heart and soul into it for the last 12 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."
Gibson plays Aaron Hotchner on Criminal Minds
Earlier reports indicated CBS, which airs the long-running FBI show and ABC, which produces it, would suspend the actor for two episodes.
Gibson, who claimed the writer became aggressive so he retaliated, previously told TMZ the incident happened over an on-set disagreement.
"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."
