Tim Matheson shares in his revealing new memoir, “Damn Glad to Meet You,” how he narrowly escaped the cocaine addiction that claimed many of his contemporaries during Hollywood’s darkest era. The “Animal House” star, now 76, offers a sobering look at the entertainment industry’s drug-fueled past in his book “Damn Glad to Meet You.”
Breaking his silence on the widespread cocaine use that defined 1970s Hollywood, Matheson credits his survival to an unlikely source: his working-class status in the industry. “I wasn’t the star,” he tells Page Six with remarkable candor. “I was a working actor, and I went from job to job.” This position, rather than being a setback, became his salvation.
The actor’s story provides a unique window into an era when cocaine flowed freely through Hollywood’s veins. “Everyone in my generation was saying cocaine wasn’t all that bad for you,” Matheson recalls, shaking his head at the dangerous misconception that led many stars down a destructive path.
His experience working alongside Lucille Ball in the 1968 film “Yours, Mine, and Ours” helped shape his professional outlook. Ball’s no-nonsense approach to work left an indelible impression on the young actor. “She was tough, and there was no chitchat on set,” Matheson remembers. “She meant business, and she demanded that from everybody around her.”
The most poignant revelations come from Matheson’s memories of John Belushi, his “Animal House” co-star, who later died from a cocaine and heroin overdose in 1982 at just 33 years old. Matheson paints a complex picture of Belushi’s journey, from his clean and professional behavior during “Animal House” to his visible decline during the filming of Spielberg’s “1941.”
“Belushi, for the record, was clean on set during Animal House,” Matheson writes. “If he did anything, it was away from the rest of us, and he never gave any signs he was up to anything.” This observation gains extra weight considering Belushi’s later struggles with addiction.
The transformation Matheson witnessed in Belushi between productions haunts him to this day. “It was impossible to not see that the fame and lifestyle had taken their toll,” he writes about their reunion on “1941.” “He wasn’t the same John. He looked exhausted, distracted.”
Matheson’s approach to Hollywood’s party scene was characterized by careful restraint. While he admits to occasional drug use, he maintained strict boundaries. “I worked hard when I worked,” he explains, “and then I’d play, but I would never do anything to affect my work because it was so important to me.”
This balanced approach has served him well. Matheson’s impressive career spans roles in acclaimed productions like “The West Wing,” “Hart of Dixie,” “Fletch,” “Batman: The Animated Series,” “Black Sheep,” “Van Wilder,” and “Virgin River.” His longevity stands as a testament to his disciplined approach to his craft.
Looking back, Matheson considers himself fortunate. The financial pressure of living paycheck to paycheck, combined with his strong work ethic, kept him from falling into the trap that claimed so many others. His story serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, what seems like a career limitation can actually be a blessing in disguise.
As Hollywood continues to grapple with substance abuse issues, Matheson’s memoir offers valuable insights into how one actor navigated the industry’s darkest temptations while maintaining his professional integrity. His experience shows that success in Hollywood doesn’t have to come at the cost of personal destruction.