Tim Matheson

Timothy Lewis Matthieson, known professionally as Tim Matheson, was born on December 31, 1947, in Glendale, California. He began his career at the age of 13, appearing in Robert Young’s CBS series “Window on Main Street” (1961-1962). Matheson also lent his voice to animated characters during his early years, notably as the lead character Jonny Quest in “Jonny Quest” (1964) and Jace in “Space Ghost” (1966).

Over the years, Matheson has accumulated a diverse portfolio of acting roles. He is widely recognized for his portrayal of Eric “Otter” Stratton in the 1978 comedy “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” a role that significantly boosted his public profile. Other notable film credits include “Magnum Force” (1973), “1941” (1979), “Fletch” (1985), “Black Sheep” (1996), and “Van Wilder” (2002), where he played the father of the title character, a nod to his “Animal House” role. His television work includes a recurring role as Vice President John Hoynes in “The West Wing” (1999-2006), earning him two Primetime Emmy nominations, and Dr. Brick Breeland in “Hart of Dixie” (2011-2015).

Beyond acting, Matheson has established himself as a director, helming episodes for numerous prominent television series such as “The Last Ship,” “Burn Notice,” “Criminal Minds,” “Without a Trace,” “Cold Case,” and “Suits.” He also directed pilots for “The Good Guys” and “Covert Affairs.” In a significant career move, Matheson, along with business partner Dan Grodnik, acquired National Lampoon in 1989, managing the company through a period of financial turnaround before selling it in 1991. His most recent prominent acting role is as Doc Mullins in the Netflix series “Virgin River” (2019–present), where he has also directed episodes.