Seven Decades in Hollywood: An Interview with Tim Matheson

Tim Matheson needs no introduction.  His prolific Hollywood career spans nearly seven decades.  From acting to directing, from feature films to television; from the classic 1978 comedy Animal House to the record-breaking hit Netflix series, Virgin River, Tim Matheson has done it all.

My introduction to Tim’s work came from a lesser-known credit in his extensive filmography: Tim’s performance as the love interest of Julie Kavner’s Brenda in Rhoda (1976; Season 2, Episode 20), was a standout.

I saw Yours, Mine and Ours (1968) for the first time not long after my daughter was born.  (I remain baffled as to why it took me so long to see this film that has since ranked among my favorites.)  With his earnest portrayal of the eldest son in the large blended brood of Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball, Tim Matheson was, once again, a standout.

Tim Matheson’s Classic Hollywood Roots

In the time since these early performances, Tim’s career has continued to thrive.  Today, Tim is arguably best known for his iconic portrayal of Eric “Otter” Stratton in Animal House (1978), his Emmy-nominated turn as Vice President John Hoynes in The West Wing (1999), and currently as Doc Mullins in the beloved Netflix series, Virgin River (2019).  

But Tim’s roots working alongside Classic Hollywood legends run deep: imagine being mentored by Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda, Jackie Gleason, Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Reynolds, and Bob Hope, just to name a few.

It was these Classic Hollywood roots that inspired Tim to write his 2024 book, Damn Glad to Meet You: My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches.  In the book, Tim shares his memories of working with these legends, and the lessons he learned from them are priceless.  As Tim himself put it:

“I wanted to be an actor since I was in the 6th grade.  It felt like home to me.  Starting at that early age I experienced Vaudeville actors like Lucille Ball and Jackie Gleason.  So I just wanted to pass on the stories from that era…there are some important lessons.”

Tim Matheson Interview Episode 86

It was an amazing experience to sit down with Tim and discuss his remarkable career and the Classic Hollywood greats he was privileged to work with. 

Listen to Episode 86 of Vanguard of Hollywood for Tim’s insights on the legends who mentored him, what it takes to follow a dream, and why Classic Hollywood still matters.

And be sure to purchase your own copy of Tim’s book, Damn Glad to Meet You: My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches, available on Amazon.