Tim Matheson: Biography, Career, Marriages, and Net Worth

It’s rare for an actor to have a career that spans seven decades, but Tim Matheson has managed exactly that. From his early days as a child actor on Leave It to Beaver to his iconic turn as Otter in Animal House and his current role on Netflix’s Virgin River, Matheson has shown remarkable staying power.

Born: December 31, 1947 ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Spouse: Elizabeth Marighetto (m. 2018) ·
Children: 3 ·
Net worth: $10 million (est.) ·
Known for: Eric ‘Otter’ Stratton in Animal House

Eight key facts about Tim Matheson, one pattern: consistent versatility across stage, screen, and directing.

What is Tim Matheson most famous for?

His role as Eric ‘Otter’ Stratton in Animal House

• Released in 1978, the comedy grossed over $141 million (IMDb (film database)).
• Matheson’s smooth and witty Otter became an icon of 1970s pop culture (Yahoo Entertainment).
• The role remains his most recognized performance across all media.

Early voice work as Jonny Quest

• At age 16, Matheson voiced the title character in Jonny Quest (1964–1965) (IMDb).
• The animated series gained a cult following and introduced his voice to a generation (Rotten Tomatoes).

Notable TV roles including The West Wing and Virgin River

• He played Vice President John Hoynes on The West Wing (1999–2006), earning two Primetime Emmy nominations (Yahoo Entertainment).
• Since 2019, he portrays Dr. Vernon ‘Doc’ Mullins on Netflix’s Virgin River (Netflix).

What this means: For fans of comedy and drama alike, Tim Matheson’s signature role is Animal House, but his West Wing accolades show a performer who evolved well past typecasting.

How many times was Tim Matheson married?

Who is Tim Matheson married to today?

• As of 2024, he is married to Elizabeth Marighetto; they wed in 2018 (Wikipedia).
• This is his third marriage.

Are Tim Matheson and Annette O’Toole married in real life?

• No. They co-starred in The Hunt for the Unicorn Killer (1999), but are not married (Wikipedia).
• The rumor likely stems from their on-screen chemistry.

Does Tim Matheson have children?

• He has three children: son Cooper and two daughters (Life of Dad (fatherhood interview platform)).
• All three are from his second marriage to Megan Murphy (Wikipedia).

The pattern: Matheson’s marital history reflects a private personal life. The public knows his first wife (actress Jennifer Leak) and third wife (Elizabeth), but the second wife’s full name remains obscure, consistent with his preference for keeping family out of the spotlight.

What is Tim Matheson doing now?

His role in Virgin River

• He plays Dr. Vernon “Doc” Mullins, a gruff but caring small-town doctor (Netflix).
• The series has been renewed for multiple seasons, ensuring his presence on screen through 2025 at least.

Directing work

• Matheson has directed several episodes of Virgin River and other TV shows (Broadway World).
• His directing credits include The West Wing and Burn Notice (IMDb).

Recent interviews and appearances

• He gave a rare interview to Life of Dad in 2026 discussing fatherhood and career (Life of Dad).
• He appeared at comic-cons and special screenings of Animal House for anniversary events.

The catch: While his acting schedule remains steady, his directing work shows a desire to control the story behind the scenes — a smart move for any veteran actor.

Are Kurt Russell and Tim Matheson friends?

Their early years as child actors

• Both were child actors in the 1960s, appearing together in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) and The Quest (1975) (IMDb).
• Their friendship is well-documented in interviews, though specific details are largely anecdotal.

Collaborations on screen

• They reunited in the 2019 film The Highwaymen (no direct collaboration, but were in the same project).
• Frequently referenced each other in talk show appearances, reinforcing a decades-long bond (Yahoo Entertainment).

“We’ve been friends since we were kids. He’s like a brother to me.” — Kurt Russell (as recounted in interviews)

Yahoo Entertainment

The implication: Their friendship is one of the longest-lasting in Hollywood, born from shared child-actor experiences. It’s a rare example of a celebrity bond that has survived changing careers and decades.

What movies and TV shows has Tim Matheson appeared in?

Early television appearances

• Began with Leave It to Beaver (1961) as various school friends (Rotten Tomatoes).
• Guest roles on The Andy Griffith Show, My Three Sons, and The Virginian.

Iconic film roles

• National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) – played a motorcycle cop (IMDb).
• Fletch (1985) – as Alan Stanwyck (IMDb).

Later career and streaming success

• Appeared in Burn Notice (2007–2013) as a recurring character.
• Main role as Dr. Brick Breeland on Hart of Dixie (2011–2015) (Broadway World).
• Current success on Virgin River introduced him to a new generation of viewers.

Why this matters: Matheson’s filmography demonstrates an ability to move fluidly between comedy, drama, and action. That range is rare and explains his enduring employability.

Quotes from Tim Matheson and peers

“Making Animal House was the most fun I ever had making a movie. We were all young and crazy.”

— Tim Matheson, Yahoo Entertainment

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Tim for decades. He’s a consummate professional and a wonderful friend.” For a deeper dive into Diane Ladd’s career and legacy, you can explore this article. Diane Ladd’s career and legacy

— Kurt Russell, Yahoo Entertainment

“Directing allows me to shape the story in ways acting alone can’t. I love both.”

— Tim Matheson, Broadway World

For fans of enduring Hollywood talent, the implication is clear: Tim Matheson’s career remains active and multi-faceted, and his recent streaming success ensures a new generation discovers his work.

For more in-depth biographies of actors with long‑running television careers, see James Marsden: Biography, Movies, Personal Life, and Net Worth and Katee Sackhoff: Biography, Age, Husband, Mandalorian Exit.