Tim Matheson

 TIM MATHESON @ Universal Studios 12/8/23 1 

Tim Matheson began working in Hollywood at 12 years old in 1961. One of his first jobs was a recurring actor on LEAVE IT TO BEAVER at Universal Studios when he was 14. 

In the next 7 years he worked with Vaudeville and Movie Stars Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, Debbie Reynolds and Dick Van Dyke among others. 

He then became a voice-over actor in cartoons, starring in JONNY QUEST, SPACE GHOST, YOUNG SAMSON, & SINBAD, JR. for Hanna Barbera. Then he turned 18. 

Universal Studios saw his work on ADAM 12 in 1968 and offered him a Long Term Contract. He agreed, and joined an esteemed community of actors: James Caan, Lindsay Wagner, Katherine Ross, James Brolin, Sharon Gless, Harrison Ford and Jan Michael Vincent among others. This was to be the last and “Senior Class” of actors under contract to any studio. Tim was under contract at Universal for 4 years, until 1972. 

He returned to Universal in 1977 to star in ANIMAL HOUSE with John Belushi, one of the highest grossing comedies of all time. And, in 1979 he continued his work at Universal with Steven Spielberg’s comedy epic: 1941. 

Since then, Tim has been a part of the Universal film and TV world as an actor, Producer, and Director, in such productions as: 

  • ALMOST SUMMER – (1978) 

    A LITTLE SEX – (1981) 

    FLETCH – (1985) 

    AMERICAN PIE PRESENTS: THE BOOK OF LOVE – (2009) 

  • IRONSIDE (1972) 

    THE VIRGINIAN (1969 – 1970) 

    LOCK, STOCK, & BARREL (PILOT) (1970) 

    SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (1970) 

    NIGHT GALLERY (1971) 

    THE BOLD ONES: THE LAWYERS (1971) 

    THE DA (1971) 

    HITCHED (PILOT) (1971) 

    MATT LINCOLN (1971) 

    IRONSIDES (1972) 

    OWEN MARSHALL: ATTORNEY AT LAW (4 EPS, ACTOR) (1971 – 1974) 

    WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO THE CLASS OF ’65? (1977) 

    BLACK SHEEP SQUADRON (1977) 

    BURIED ALIVE (MOW) (1990) 

    QUICKSAND: NO ESCAPE (MOW) (1992) 

    RELENTLESS: MIND OF A KILLER (PILOT, MOW) (ACTOR) (1993) 

    BREACH OF CONDUCT (MOW) (PRODUCER/DIRECTOR) (1994) 

    BURIED ALIVE II (MOW) (ACTOR/DIRECTOR) (1997) 

    THE BIONIC WOMAN (DIRECTOR) (2007) 

    WHITE COLLAR (DIRECTOR) (2010) 

    COVERT AFFAIRS (PILOT, MOW) (DIRECTOR) (2010) TIM MATHESON @ Universal Studios 12/8/23 2 

    SUITS (DIRECTOR) (2011) 

    QUANTUM LEAP (ACTOR) (2023) 

His career has spanned over 60 years at Universal Studios. He learned to ride horses for THE VIRGINIAN by mounting up at the Studio barn and riding all over the backlot hills of Universal, before the Studio Tours were built. The site of Shiloh Ranch of THE VIRGINIAN was still in use by Universal Studio productions up until the mid 1970s but was levelled to make way for the expansion of the Universal Studios tour area overlooking the Hollywood freeway. 

He acted in his first comedy here in ANIMAL HOUSE. He also began his Producing and directing career at Universal with BREACH OF CONDUCT for USA Network. He later directed his first Pilot here for USA Network with COVERT AFFAIRS. 

Every phase of Tim Matheson’s career has been intertwined with Universal Studios, both as an actor and as director. And Tim still lives in the Hollywood Hills, only 5 minutes away from the Universal Studios lot. In many ways, a local boy makes good. rk.