An Emmy-nominated actor best known for his role in the 1978 comedy National Lampoon’s Animal House was recently spotted during a rare outing in Los Angeles.
Now 78, the star began his entertainment career as a teenager in the early 1960s, landing small parts in television shows including Window on Main Street.
Over the years, he has shared the screen with stars such as Lucille Ball, Anne Bancroft, Dick Van Dyke, Carrie Fisher, Aubrey Plaza and Ryan Reynolds.
His extensive career has included roles in feature films and a wide range of television series.
Since 2019, he has most recently been portraying a doctor on a beloved Netflix series.
Can you guess who it is?
An Emmy-nominated actor known for his role in the 1978 comedy Animal House was spotted during a rare outing in Los Angeles. Can you guess who it is?
The 78-year-old star began his entertainment career in the early 1960s with small television roles, including an appearance on Window on Main Street.
The actor is Tim Matheson, who famously played Eric “Otter” Stratton in the 1978 comedy National Lampoon’s Animal House.
Matheson opted for a casual look when he visited the Verdugo Aquatic Facility in Burbank last week for a relaxing swim.
He wore a plain, short-sleeved black shirt with blue sweatpants and black sneakers.
Carrying a backpack and a colorful towel, Matheson walked toward the entrance before taking a dip in the cool water.
Later, he was seen relaxing beneath the bright sunshine and looking through his phone while seated in a chair.
Our News Outlet contacted a representative for Matheson for comment but has not yet received a response.
Matheson was born in Glendale, California, in December 1947 and began acting professionally during his teenage years.
At 13, he received his first acting credit after appearing in a 1961 episode of Window on Main Street.
Tim Matheson notably played Eric “Otter” Stratton in the 1978 comedy National Lampoon’s Animal House, seen above.
The actor kept things casual during a visit to the Verdugo Aquatic Facility in Burbank last week for a relaxing swim.
He wore a plain short-sleeved black shirt with blue sweatpants and black sneakers.
Matheson was later seen checking his phone while lounging on a chair in the bright sunshine.
Matheson was born in December 1947 in Glendale, California and began his professional acting career as a teen
He went on to appear with other minor roles in shows including Leave It To Beaver, My Three Sons, Jonny Quest and Ripcord
In 1967, he starred in the satirical comedy film Divorce American Style alongside Dick Van Dyke and Debbie Reynolds
Join the discussion
What classic TV or movie role do you think defines Tim Matheson’s legacy best, and why?
He went on to appear with other minor roles in shows including Leave It To Beaver, My Three Sons, Jonny Quest and Ripcord.
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In 1967, he starred in the satirical comedy film Divorce American Style alongside Dick Van Dyke and Debbie Reynolds.
The following year, Matheson was cast in the family comedic-drama Yours, Mine And Ours with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda.
During an appearance on the Still Here Hollywood podcast, the actor recalled working on set of the project.
‘Back in the day, Lucy would go into her trailer,’ he recalled. ‘Back then, every actor stayed on the… you had a chair you stayed on the set, you know, and you just stayed until you were called.’
Matheson added, ‘And Henry was trying to quit smoking so he was doing needlepoint so he’d sit on the set you know but he was a totally different kind of actor.
‘He wasn’t trying to do Lucy, he wasn’t trying to do broad comedy. He was just so centered and so real.’
Throughout the late 60s and 70s, Matheson continued to take on small roles in television shows such as Adam-12, The Virginian, Here’s Lucy, Bonanza, Police Story, The Quest and Hawaii Five-O.
In 1978, he played Eric ‘Otter’ Stratton in the comedy film Animal House with John Belushi, John Vernon, Thomas Hulce, Verna Bloom and Donald Sutherland.
The following year, Matheson was cast in the family comedic-drama Yours, Mine And Ours with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda; seen above top row left
During an appearance on the Still Here Hollywood podcast, the actor recalled working on set of Yours, Mine And Ours
In 1978, he played Eric ‘Otter’ Stratton in the comedy film Animal House with John Belushi, John Vernon, Thomas Hulce, Verna Bloom and Donald Sutherland
The movie was a critical and box office success, raking in around $141 million on a budget of $3 million.
Other films Matheson starred in are the 1979 war comedy 1941, To Be Or Not Be (1983), Impulse (1984) and Fletch (1985).
During the 90s, Matheson continued to take on roles in a number of TV movies as well as the 1996 comedy A Very Brady Sequel.
In the early 2000s, the actor starred in shows including Wolf Lake, The King Of Queens and Without A Trace.
From 1999-2006, Matheson portrayed the character of Vice President John Hoyes in The West Wing.
The star received two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series based on his performance.
He played Dr. Brick Breeland on the CW series Hart Of Dixie and appeared in additional shows such as The Good Fight, The Affair, The Goldbergs, Madame Secretary, This Is Us and Quantum Leap.
Matheson began playing Dr. Vernon Mullins on the beloved Netflix series Virgin River. Last year in July, the show was renewed for an eighth season.
Throughout the late 60s and 70s, Matheson continued to take on small roles in television shows such as Adam-12, The Virginian, Here’s Lucy and Bonanza; seen (left) in Shadow Of A Name
The star received two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series based on his The West Wing; seen in 2019 in Hollywood
Matheson began playing Dr. Vernon Mullins on the beloved Netflix series Virgin River (seen above). Last year in July, the show was renewed for an eighth season
While talking to Parade earlier this year about the show, the star explained, ‘You have friends, family, and loved ones to support you through the hard times and celebrate the good times.’
He added, ‘People think posting on Facebook is a relationship – but it’s not.
‘Our show is a throwback to The Andy Griffith Show – to Mayberry – where people are truly there for each other. It’s refreshing, and it’s something we all wish we had more of.’
Most recently, the actor appeared in five episodes of 9-1-1: Nashville.
