Few actors have managed to stay in the spotlight across seven decades, but Tim Matheson is one of them. From voicing the title character in the 1964 cartoon Jonny Quest to stealing scenes as Otter in Animal House and later playing a vice president on The West Wing, his résumé reads like a Hollywood time capsule. Here’s a closer look at the actor’s long-running career, his personal life, and what he’s doing now.
Born: December 31, 1947 ·
Best known for: Eric “Otter” Stratton in Animal House (1978) ·
Notable TV series: The West Wing, Virgin River ·
Spouse (current): Elizabeth Marighetto (m. 2018) ·
Number of marriages: 3 ·
Children: 3
Quick snapshot
- Exact net worth estimates vary — from $5 million to $10 million depending on the source
- Details of his early marriage to Jennifer Leak are limited in public records
- 1961: first TV role on Leave It to Beaver
- 1978: Animal House catapults him to fame
- 2024: publishes memoir Damn Glad to Meet You
- Continuing his role as Dr. Vernon Mullins on Virgin River
- Directing additional television episodes
- Promoting his memoir on press tours
Seven key facts about Tim Matheson, one pattern: his career has spanned both sides of the camera — as an actor and director.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Timothy Lewis Matheson |
| Date of birth | December 31, 1947 |
| Place of birth | Glendale, California, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, director, producer |
| Years active | 1961–present |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Net worth | Estimated $10 million |
The table above distills the core biographical data into a single reference, with the net worth figure coming with the caveat that estimates vary widely across sources.
What is Tim Matheson most famous for?
His role as Eric “Otter” Stratton in Animal House
- Matheson played the smooth-talking Delta Tau Chi member in the 1978 comedy, which became a cultural phenomenon (IMDb).
- The film also starred John Belushi and grossed over $141 million on a $3 million budget (Rotten Tomatoes).
Other iconic roles: The West Wing and Virgin River
- From 1999 to 2006 he portrayed Vice President John Hoynes on the acclaimed NBC series (Wikipedia).
- Since 2019 he has played Dr. Vernon Mullins on the Netflix drama Virgin River (TV Guide).
The pattern: Matheson built a career on two distinct peaks — one in comedy film, another in prestige television — a feat few actors achieve.
What is Tim Matheson doing now?
Current acting projects
- Matheson stars as Dr. Vernon Mullins on Virgin River (2019–present), a role that has introduced him to a new generation of viewers (TV Insider).
- He also appeared in the 2024 film The Great Lillian Hall alongside Jessica Lange (IMDb).
Directing work
- Matheson has directed episodes of Virgin River, Suits, Person of Interest, and The Last Ship (TV Guide).
- His directorial film Perhaps Love (2007) starred his daughter (Rotten Tomatoes).
Recent book release
- In 2024 he published Damn Glad to Meet You: My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches, a memoir detailing his career (Amazon).
What this means: Matheson is not coasting on past hits — he’s actively acting, directing, and writing, proving his versatility at age 76.
Who is Tim Matheson’s wife today?
Elizabeth Marighetto
- Matheson married Elizabeth Marighetto in 2018. Marighetto is a film producer and writer who worked on projects such as The Kids Are All Right (Tuko).
Previous marriages
- First marriage: actress Jennifer Leak (1968–1971) (Tuko).
- Second marriage: Megan Murphy (1985–2010). They had children together and divorced after 25 years (Tuko).
Matheson’s personal life has seen both stability and change — two long marriages bookended by a shorter early marriage, and now a partnership with a fellow industry professional.
Are Kurt Russell and Tim Matheson friends?
Their long friendship
- Matheson and actor Kurt Russell have been close since childhood. They met as child actors on the 1960s set of The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (Yahoo Entertainment).
Shared projects
- They co-starred in the 1975 TV movie The Deadly Tower and later in the series The Quest (IMDb).
- Their friendship has lasted more than 60 years, something Matheson has called “a brotherhood” in interviews.
The pattern: Few Hollywood friendships survive six decades, but Matheson and Russell’s bond — forged in early TV work — remains one of the industry’s most enduring.
How many wives has Tim Matheson had?
List of marriages
- Jennifer Leak (1968–1971) — actress, divorced after three years.
- Megan Murphy (1985–2010) — married 25 years, three children together.
- Elizabeth Marighetto (2018–present) — current wife, film producer (Tuko).
The trade-off: Three marriages over 55 years — the first brief, the second long, and the third still unfolding — reflect both the pressures of show business and Matheson’s resilience in personal relationships.
Timeline of Tim Matheson’s life and career
- 1947 — Born in Glendale, California.
- 1961 — First acting role on Leave It to Beaver (TV Insider).
- 1964 — Voiced Jonny Quest in the animated series (Yahoo Entertainment).
- 1968 — Married Jennifer Leak.
- 1971 — Divorced; began steady TV guest roles.
- 1978 — Starred in Animal House.
- 1985 — Married Megan Murphy.
- 1999–2006 — Played Vice President John Hoynes on The West Wing (Wikipedia).
- 2010 — Divorced Megan Murphy.
- 2018 — Married Elizabeth Marighetto.
- 2019–present — Stars as Dr. Vernon Mullins on Virgin River (TV Guide).
- 2024 — Published memoir Damn Glad to Meet You.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born December 31, 1947, in Glendale, CA.
- Played Otter in Animal House.
- Played VP John Hoynes on The West Wing.
- Married to Elizabeth Marighetto since 2018.
- Has three children.
- Close friend of Kurt Russell.
- Published memoir in 2024.
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth — estimates range from $5 million (TheRichest) to $10 million.
- Details of early marriage to Jennifer Leak are sparse.
- Frequency of his directorial projects in upcoming years.
“Kurt Russell and I have been friends since we were kids on a TV show. That kind of bond doesn’t happen very often in this business.”
— Tim Matheson, as reported by Yahoo Entertainment
“Playing Doc Mullins on Virgin River has been a gift. It’s a show about community, and I get to work with an incredible cast.”
— Tim Matheson, as quoted by TV Insider
Matheson’s longevity in Hollywood — from child actor to streaming star — is rare. For anyone wondering whether a career in entertainment can survive generational shifts, his path offers a clear answer: adapt, direct, and keep showing up. For fans of classic comedy and modern drama alike, the takeaway is simple: Tim Matheson is still making his mark.
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For a comprehensive look at his life and career, you can read a detailed biography of Tim Matheson that covers his early work and personal milestones.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tim Matheson’s most famous movie?
National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978), in which he played Eric “Otter” Stratton.
Is Tim Matheson still acting?
Yes — he currently stars as Dr. Vernon Mullins on Netflix’s Virgin River and appears in new film projects.
How old is Tim Matheson?
He was born December 31, 1947, making him 76 years old as of 2023.
What is Tim Matheson’s net worth?
Estimates vary. Some sources report around $10 million, while others place it near $5 million — no official figure is publicly confirmed.
How tall is Tim Matheson?
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m).
Does Tim Matheson have children?
Yes — three children from his second marriage to Megan Murphy.
What is Tim Matheson’s role in Virgin River?
He plays Dr. Vernon “Doc” Mullins, the town doctor.
Did Tim Matheson direct any TV shows?
Yes — he has directed episodes of Virgin River, Suits, Person of Interest, Lucifer, and others.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.