Sgt. Saunders
04-10-2025, 06:08 PM
In his just released autobiography, “D@mn Glad to Meet You. My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches,” actor Tim Matheson recounts his nearly lifelong career as a working actor in film and in television. I found it to be a terrific read with Mr. Matheson reminiscing about his start in show business on LITB as Mike Harmon, Beaver’s Grant Avenue School classmate during the final season of LITB.
Tim Matheson, who became friends with both Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow, said he was thrilled when Jerry invited him to a weekend pool party at the Mathers family’s home. At the time, Tim was living in a small apartment with his mother and sister. Tim’s parents had separated at that time and his mother was forced to work several jobs to support the family. So, the money Tim started to make on shows like LITB, helped the Matheson family to move to a much nicer apartment. And, Tim was eventually making enough money as a young actor to afford to buy a house for his mother, sister and himself.
In addition, to working on LITB, Tim Matheson recounts working as the voice of Jonny Quest on the terrific 1960s animated series, “Jonny Quest” and also appearing as a young cowboy on both “The Virginian” and on the final season of the legendary “Bonanza.”
Of course, a highlight of the book is Mr. Matheson’s appearance as college lady killer Eric “Otter” Stratton in the hilariously funny film, “National Lampoon’s Animal House”during the late 1970s. Mr. Matheson relates how he and his fellow Animal House cast
mates were almost severely beaten by the jealous and angry members of an actual fraternity at the University of Oregon, where the movie was filmed.
Mr. Matheson shares his memories of working with such acting legends as Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball, Clint Eastwood, John Belushi, and Martin Sheen over the years.
To paraphrase Delta House pledge director Eric Stratton, “You’ll be ‘D@mned Glad’ to read this superb autobiography!” No doubt, even LITB’s unfailingly sage advice columnist, Miss Ella, would also urge you all to go out and buy a copy of Tim Matheson’s wonderful book.
Tim Matheson, who became friends with both Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow, said he was thrilled when Jerry invited him to a weekend pool party at the Mathers family’s home. At the time, Tim was living in a small apartment with his mother and sister. Tim’s parents had separated at that time and his mother was forced to work several jobs to support the family. So, the money Tim started to make on shows like LITB, helped the Matheson family to move to a much nicer apartment. And, Tim was eventually making enough money as a young actor to afford to buy a house for his mother, sister and himself.
In addition, to working on LITB, Tim Matheson recounts working as the voice of Jonny Quest on the terrific 1960s animated series, “Jonny Quest” and also appearing as a young cowboy on both “The Virginian” and on the final season of the legendary “Bonanza.”
Of course, a highlight of the book is Mr. Matheson’s appearance as college lady killer Eric “Otter” Stratton in the hilariously funny film, “National Lampoon’s Animal House”during the late 1970s. Mr. Matheson relates how he and his fellow Animal House cast
mates were almost severely beaten by the jealous and angry members of an actual fraternity at the University of Oregon, where the movie was filmed.
Mr. Matheson shares his memories of working with such acting legends as Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball, Clint Eastwood, John Belushi, and Martin Sheen over the years.
To paraphrase Delta House pledge director Eric Stratton, “You’ll be ‘D@mned Glad’ to read this superb autobiography!” No doubt, even LITB’s unfailingly sage advice columnist, Miss Ella, would also urge you all to go out and buy a copy of Tim Matheson’s wonderful book.