Timothy Busfield

With everyman looks accentuated by unruly red locks, intermittent facial hair and a fluctuating frame, this character actor has carved out a career playing tormented professionals. Although he first made an impression as a violin-playing geek in the film Revenge of the Nerds, Busfield came to prominence on the small screen, first with a two-year stint as the title character's son on Trapper John, M.D. and then in an Emmy-winning turn as a stressed-out yuppie on the late-'80s drama thirtysomething. While on the show, Busfield launched a concurrent career behind the camera, helming a number of episodes and later directing and producing multiple series, including Ed and Without a Trace. He also appeared on Broadway in A Few Good Men and became friends with the show's playwright, Aaron Sorkin. Over the years, Sorkin gave Busfield plenty of work both behind (Sports Night) and in front of the camera (such as recurring roles on The West Wing and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip). In addition to his Hollywood work, Busfield and his brother run the B Street Theatre in Sacramento.