Tim Matheson Biography
Tim Matheson is an American actor, director, producer, narrator and voiceover artist, most famous for his role as the party animal and ladies-man, Eric’ Otter’ Stratton, in the movie’ National Lampoon’s Animal House.’
His other most memorable role in the popular TV show’ The West Wing’ was as’ Vice President, John Hoynes.’ His brilliant portrayal of characters in TV shows and movies has earned him a lot of acclaim and several nominations for awards over a career spanning five decades.
Other Personalities: Andrew Leeds
Now a showbiz veteran, Tim Matheson started his career at a very young age, performing in TV shows, becoming a household name by voicing popular cartoon characters and gradually moving on to movies. But his main work remains in TV, including meaty roles in prime time shows and noteworthy ones in movies as well. A man of many talents, Matheson also directed episodes on several heavyweight TV shows, narrated documentaries, and produced TV shows and movies. He leads an active life in Los Angeles and continues to pursue his career as he directs, produces and acts in many Hollywood productions.
10 Quick Facts About Tim Matheson
- Name: Tim Matheson
- Age: 74 Years
- Birthday: December 3
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Height: Average
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Actor, Director, Producer, Narrator and Voiceover Artist
- Marital Status: Married
- Salary: Under review
- Net worth: $7 million
Tim Matheson Age and Family
Tim Matheson was born to Timothy Matheson and Sally Matheson on December 31, 1947, in the Los Angeles suburb of Glendale, California, USA. He’s also got a sister, Sue. His parents, interested in acting from a very young age, signed him up for an acting class when he was just 10 years old. Tim is 74 Years as of 2021.
Tim Matheson Wife and Children
Tim Matheson met his first wife, actress Jennifer Leak, on the set of their movie’ Yours, Mine and Ours.’ They got married in 1968, but in 1971 they divorced three years later. He fell in love with Megan Murphy after a few years and the couple tied the knot in 1985. They had a long 25-year marriage until their divorce in 2010. He has three children— two daughters, Molly and Emma, and one son, Cooper — all with his second wife, Megan Murphy Matheson.
Tim Matheson Career
Tim Matheson landed his first ever movie role as’ Mike Beardsley’ in the Lucille Ball-Henry Fonda starrer film ‘ Yours, Mine and Ours’ in 1968. From 1969-75, he gained experience working on Western TV series such as’ The Virginian’ and’ Bonanza’ and small appearances in movies such as’ Magnum Force’ and TV shows such as’ The D.A.’,’ The Night Gallery,” Here’s Lucy,” Three for the Road,’ etc.
Tim Matheson joined actor Kurt Russell in 1976 for a short-lived Western drama series ‘ The Quest’ that chronicled the journey of two brothers traveling across the country in search of their sister. But the series didn’t do well and was canceled before all 15 episodes could be aired. His breakout film role came in 1978 when he bagged the part of smooth-talking’ Eric’ Otter’ Stratton’ in the fraternity-house comedy film ‘ National Lampoon’s Animal House,’ which became an instant hit and developed a cult fan-following.
In 1979, Tim Matheson played in a few more movies like’ Dreamer,” The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again’ and in the period comedy film ‘ 1941′ by Steven Spielberg. He lost out to Harrison Ford in 1980 for the role of’ Indiana Jones’ in the movie’ Raiders of the Lost Ark.’ He performed in comedy films like’ To Be or Not To Be’ and’ Up the Creek’ from 1982-84. He also played one of the two lead characters in the comedy-detective TV series ‘ Tucker’s Witch’ and made his directorial debut for an episode in the medical drama series ‘ St. Anywhere else’.
Tim Matheson recorded the narration for Disney’s revival of the animated film’ Fantasia’ in 1985. While continuing to act in films and on television, Matheson and his business partner purchased the failed’ National Lampoon ‘ magazine in 1989, hoping to reverse their fortunes. But they were unable to do it and eventually had to sell it off. He made his debut as a film producer with the samurai action-comedy film ‘ Blind Fury’ in 1990. He also directed a few television movies like’ Breach of Conduct’ and’ Tails You Live, Heads You’re Dead’ from 1994-1995.
From 1996-98 Tim Matheson took on many acting jobs in movies like’ A Very Brady Sequel,” A Very Unlucky Leprechaun,” An Unfinished Affair,’ etc. He even directed television movies such as’ Buried Alive II’ and gave his voice to a character in the animated TV series’ The New Batman Adventures.’ In 1999, he bagged the most prestigious role of his television career, that of’ Vice President John Hoynes’ on the hit political drama’ The West Wing.’ He has been playing the Emmy nominated recurring role in the series for about seven years.
From 2000-02, Tim Matheson took part in several TV movies such as ‘ Hell Swarm, ‘ ‘ Navigating the Heart ‘ and TV shows such as ‘ Wolf Lake, ‘ ‘ The King of Queens, ‘ etc. He also attempted the role of the father of the lead character in the National Lampoon movie ‘ Van Wilder. ‘
From 2003-06, Tim Matheson took up episodic directing jobs for various primetime TV shows such as’ The Twilight Zone, Without a Trace,” The West Wing,’ etc. to gain experience as a director. He also narrated documentaries such as’ Nature’ and’ National Geographic’ for TV. He was part of the auto-racing movie’ Redline’ in 2007. He also directed an episode of the detective series ‘ Psych’ and the drama series’ Burn Notice’ in which he played the recurring role of’ Larry Sizemore.’
In 2009, Tim Matheson directed and acted in the movie’ Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia’ and produced an episode of the’ Criminal Minds ‘ TV show. From 2010-11, he continued to direct episodes of high-profile TV shows such as’ The Good Guys,” Suits,’ etc. He also landed’ Dr.’s recurring role. Brick Breeland’s 2011 comedy-drama series ‘ Hart of Dixie’ continued for four more years.
Tim Matheson gave an award-nominated performance as ‘ Ronald Reagan ‘ in the TV film ‘ Killing Reagan ‘ in 2016. He was seen as ‘ Old Man Vreeke ‘ in the movie ‘ Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle ‘ in 2017. He was part of the drama film ‘ 6 Balloons ‘ released on Netflix in 2018. He will be seen portraying the character ‘ Henry Kaslan ‘ in the horror film ‘ Child’s Play ‘ in June 2019.
Tim Matheson Animal House
Tim Matheson is perhaps best known for his portrayals of the smooth-talking Eric “Otter” Stratton in the 1978 Animal House of National Lampoon comedy film. Animal House is an American comedy film directed by John Landis in 1978 and written by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney, and Chris Miller. It’s starring John Belushi, Peter Riegert, Tim Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Thomas Hulce, Stephen Furst, and Donald Sutherland. The film is about a misfit group of members of the fraternity who challenge the Faber College dean’s authority.
Tim Matheson Net Worth
Tim Matheson is an American actor, director, and producer who has a net worth of $7 million.
Tim Matheson Bonanza
In the final season of the television western Bonanza in 1972–1973, Tim Matheson played Griff King, a parolee who tries to reform his life as a worker at the Ponderosa Ranch under Ben Cartwright’s tutelage. Bonanza is a is an NBC television western series that ran from 1959 to 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes, Bonanza is NBC’s longest-running western and ranks overall as the second-longest-running western series on U.S. network television (behind CBS’s Gunsmoke), and within the top 10 longest-running, live-action American series.
Tim Matheson Movies
Virgin River (TV Series)
Doc
– Episode #1.8 … Doc
– Episode #1.7 … Doc
– Everybody Has a Secret … Doc
2019 Child’s Play
Henry Kaslan
2019 Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television (TV Series)
Steve
– The Ry Guy Goes to Jail (2019) … Steve
– Revival (2019) … Steve
– For Your Inconsideration (2019) … Steve
2018 The Affair (TV Series)
James
– Episode #4.8 (2018) … James
– Episode #4.6 (2018) … James
2017-2018 Me, Myself and I (TV Series)
Richard
– There She Goes (2018) … Richard
– New Job (2017) … Richard
2018 The Good Fight (TV Series)
Tully Nelson
– Day 492 (2018) … Tully Nelson
– Day 457 (2018) … Tully Nelson
– Day 436 (2018) … Tully Nelson
– Day 429 (2018) … Tully Nelson
2018 The Etruscan Smile
Weiss
2018 6 Balloons
Gary
2017 Snowfall (TV Series)
George Miller
– 2016 Original Pilot (2017) … George Miller
2017 Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Old Man Vreeke (uncredited)
2017 Magical Christmas Ornaments (TV Movie)
J.P. Presley
2017 Madam Secretary (TV Series)
Fred Moran
– The Fourth Estate (2017) … Fred Moran
2017/XIII Legacy (Short)
Old Jake
2017 Its a Hit! (TV Series)
2016 Killing Reagan (TV Movie)
Ronald Reagan
2016 Motive (TV Series)
Brent Rodman
– Chronology of Pain (2016) … Brent Rodman
Tim Matheson Contacts
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