Tim Matheson from Animal House to the White House, Tim Matheson Settles in the Hart of Dixie by Jason Feinberg
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CELEB25A TIM Matheson From Animal House to the White House, Tim Matheson Settles in the Hart of Dixie By Jason Feinberg “Take it easy, I’m pre-law.” it has become a staple of Americana cinema television credits he has amassed as an actor, “I thought you were pre-med.” that still stands today as the touchstone for director and producer. “What’s the difference?” every film that features, shall we say, less than That’s just one of the many memorable perfect youth? And fortunately for Matheson Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with dialogues from the movie Animal House, (who played a frat boy at age 31), he hasn’t this very talented actor. Having started in show right before Eric “Otter” Stratton gives a great been typecast like some other actors of that business at the tender age of 13, Tim has been speech while the school tries to expel the Delta era, caught in a cycle because of one movie’s in continuous motion since. “I think you have to fraternity. success. In fact, I think a lot of people are constantly reinvent yourself,” he offers, adding surprised and subsequently impressed to see that a performer’s career has a potential half- I can see Tim Matheson reading this, shaking the diversity of the characters Tim can play, life of five to six years and once you’ve used up his head saying, “Great! Another article both prior to and following Otter. Long before one persona, you have to be able to transform mentioning Animal House.” But why not? The Animal House, Tim Matheson was well on his into something else. “I’m always looking for the iconic film may have debuted back in 1978, but way to achieving the 40 film and 100-plus next challenge.” 60 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com “With Animal House, I had the opportunity to play a character I don’t normally get to play...” These are challenges that he has mastered to perfection. From playing the comical teenage Delta in Animal House to the more serious Vice President John Hoynes in The West Wing, Masterson’s discipline has brought diversity to each of the characters he plays. “With Animal House, I had the opportunity to play a character I don’t normally get to play,” Tim says about Otter, which he admits was his favorite role to date, adding that it was the character of Clint Goodman from the 1990 TV movie Buried Alive that he feels most closely resembles his own personality. Working in Hollywood is a crazy business but also exciting and rewarding. “I think it’s harder today for an actor to get into the business. It takes more tenacity,” Matheson says. As the industry has become more decentralized and fewer dramas are being made, it’s harder for newcomers to find that perfect role and to find the inspiration that drives their passion. In 1973, five years before Animal House, Tim played San Francisco Police Officer Philip Sweet in Magnum Force, the second film in the Dirty Harry series, alongside Clint Eastwood, whom Matheson credits as one of his greatest inspirations. “I was so impressed with him. He has a phenomenal charm and is one of the best listeners and best actors I’ve ever worked with.” While one of Matheson’s ambitions is to play a Jason Bourne/CIA killer/James Bond character (and he has played serious roles on Cold Case, Num3rs and other crime shows), Matheson loves the comedic roles such as Carol Brady’s dead husband in A Very Brady Sequel and father to Ryan Reynolds in Van Wilder. As an actor and director he feels these roles make life easier and makes him a happier person. November 2013 | 61 CELEB25A In a strange twist of fate, and as if acting, accepting an offer to work with a Dr. Harley teachers to help keep students in school and directing and producing wasn’t enough, Wilkes in a small medical practice in Bluebell. on a track to success. In 24 communities at one point in time Tim decided to take a When Zoe arrives to find Dr. Wilkes has passed across the United States and through two stab a publishing. National Lampoon, the on, she’s left to work with his former partner, international affiliates, this innovative public- company that created Animal House, was the aforementioned Dr. Breeland, who is often private partnership brings together teams of actually purchased by Matheson and his quite critical of Hart. “[Hart of Dixie] is a real, young AmeriCorps members who commit business partner, Dan Grodnik. The history of totally different thing than I had done in a long to a year of full-time service in schools. the brand and magazine dated back to 1970 time. I mostly was directing and now I’m acting Corps members provide individual support to after it licensed its name from The Harvard more and more. And I’m in a different age students who need extra care and attention, Lampoon (founded in 1876 at focusing on attendance, behavior Harvard University). By the end of the and course performance through in- 1980s, the magazine was in financial class tutoring, mentoring and after- trouble. In 1989 Matheson and “[Hart of Dixie] is a real, totally school programs. Grodnik bought National Lampoon but were only able to hold on to it different thing than I had done in a This father of three continues to meet for a couple of years. “We had such long time. I mostly was directing and the heavy demands of his career high hopes and it was such a well while still finding plenty of time for known brand,” he said. By the end now I’m acting more and more. And his family. In his spare time, of which of the ’90s the magazine had ceased there never seems to be enough, operation, although the brand itself is I’m in a different age category in my Tim likes to head to the beach, go still around. life and finding a new audience. It’s biking and is learning to SCUBA dive, which happens to be a passion of For a number of years, Tim had been exciting and fun.” mine. We had quite the discussion spending most of his time directing, on where the best dive sites are. however, when the opportunity came for him to be back on the other side For more than 50 years – yes, I said of the camera, he jumped right into it and now, category in my life and finding a new audience. 50 – Tim has entertained us over and over “I’m finding myself acting more and more.” It’s exciting and fun.” Matheson also gets the again from both sides of the camera and he Currently he plays Dr. Brick Breeland on the opportunity to get back into the director’s chair continues to do so. And while I really want to CW television show Hart of Dixie. In its third for a few episodes. say I’ll remember him as the vice president in season, the show is set in the Gulf Coast town The West Wing, sorry buddy, he’ll always be of Bluebell, Alabama, a Mayberry-esque sort of At home, Tim is a big supporter of going green Otter to me. town. The characters are essentially complete and owns two hybrid vehicles. A friend of actor opposites morally, politically and socially, but Ed Begley, Jr., Tim and I shared some of the they manage to live and work together. The things that Ed has inspired in both of us. He You can see Tim Matheson in Hart of Dixie show tackles real life issues but still adds that is also a supporter of City Year, an education- Monday nights at 8 p.m. on WPIX (the CW), sitcom flair. Hart of Dixie features Rachel Bilson focused, nonprofit organization founded in Channel 11. You can also check out Tim’s as Dr. Zoe Hart who leaves New York after 1988 that partners with public schools and website at www.tim-matheson.com. 62 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com PHOTOGRAPHER | Manfred Baumann. HAIR & MAKEUP | Nelly Baumann. November 2013 | 63.