Beaver's Classmate Mike Harmon: D@mn Glad to Meet You! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

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.

CosmicCharlie · 04-17-2025, 08:47 PM

https://www.amazon.com/Damn-Glad-Mee.../dp/0306832933

stevea · 05-01-2025, 05:41 PM

I'm only up to page 27, and it's very interesting so far. He's made brief mention of his LITB role, calling it recurring. He might have been in 3 or 4 episodes. He also mentions a recurring role in My Three Sons, and I don't remember him in that. It could have been a crowd scene or something.

More interesting is his animation voice work, which I knew nothing about. He or his writer made what I think is a factual error; he says June Foray voiced Betty Rubble on the Flintstones. I think she was voiced by both Bea Benaderet (before her death) and later by Gerry Johnson. I don't doubt Foray did other voice work for that show, though.

So far he has detailed his voice work for Jonny Quest.

Tankeryanker · 05-01-2025, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

He also mentions a recurring role in My Three Sons, and I don't remember him in that. It could have been a crowd scene or something.

.

teen accuses Tramp of biting him

CosmicCharlie · 05-01-2025, 07:55 PM

I did the Audible version that Tim himself read - & found it excellent !

Sgt. Saunders · 05-03-2025, 10:51 AM

Tim Matheson recounted that the cast members of both The Virginian and Bonanza regularly enjoyed “quenching their thirst” while filming their legendary cowboy shows.

Tim recalled that “Little” Joe Cartwright especially enjoyed a daily glass (or glasses) of Almaden white wine on the rocks while out there on the Ponderosa.

I wonder if Pa Ingalls also liked a glass of two of that same libation after toiling in the fields all day on his farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota?

04-10-2025, 06:08 PM	#1
Sgt. Saunders Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 27, 2021 Location: The Garden State Posts: 545	Beaver's Classmate Mike Harmon: D@mn Glad to Meet You! 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.

04-17-2025, 08:47 PM	#2
CosmicCharlie Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2019 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,450	https://www.amazon.com/Damn-Glad-Mee.../dp/0306832933

05-01-2025, 05:41 PM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,911	I'm only up to page 27, and it's very interesting so far. He's made brief mention of his LITB role, calling it recurring. He might have been in 3 or 4 episodes. He also mentions a recurring role in My Three Sons, and I don't remember him in that. It could have been a crowd scene or something. More interesting is his animation voice work, which I knew nothing about. He or his writer made what I think is a factual error; he says June Foray voiced Betty Rubble on the Flintstones. I think she was voiced by both Bea Benaderet (before her death) and later by Gerry Johnson. I don't doubt Foray did other voice work for that show, though. So far he has detailed his voice work for Jonny Quest.

05-01-2025, 07:55 PM	#5
CosmicCharlie Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2019 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,450	I did the Audible version that Tim himself read - & found it excellent !

05-03-2025, 10:51 AM	#6
Sgt. Saunders Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 27, 2021 Location: The Garden State Posts: 545	Tim Matheson recounted that the cast members of both The Virginian and Bonanza regularly enjoyed “quenching their thirst” while filming their legendary cowboy shows. Tim recalled that “Little” Joe Cartwright especially enjoyed a daily glass (or glasses) of Almaden white wine on the rocks while out there on the Ponderosa. I wonder if Pa Ingalls also liked a glass of two of that same libation after toiling in the fields all day on his farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota?