Show Notes
Before Animal House became one of the greatest comedies ever made, Tim Matheson was already building one of the longest and most fascinating careers in Hollywood.
In this episode of Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko, Tim shares unforgettable stories about John Belushi, Lucille Ball, Steven Spielberg, Henry Fonda, Ryan Reynolds, Mel Brooks, Anne Bancroft, Meghan Markle, Aaron Sorkin, Clint Eastwood and many more.
He reveals what Belushi was really like before fame changed everything, how Spielberg personally tracked him down in Las Vegas, the acting lessons he learned from Henry Fonda, directing Meghan Markle on Suits, working opposite Mel Brooks, starring in Animal House, The West Wing, Fletch, Van Wilder and Johnny Quest, and why he finally decided to write his memoir.
If you love classic Hollywood, behind-the-scenes stories and the golden age of film and television, this episode is packed with incredible moments.
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00:00 Intro, Tim Matheson arrives
00:46 Knee replacement and getting older
01:46 Leave It to Beaver and becoming a child actor
04:02 Working with Steven Spielberg
07:18 The Hollywood legend who influenced him most, Lucille Ball
11:03 Henry Fonda's unforgettable acting lesson
13:48 John Belushi and making Animal House
16:50 Belushi's death and Hollywood's cocaine culture
20:30 Directing Meghan Markle on Suits
21:47 Why Tim finally wrote his memoir
24:11 Ivan Reitman, Animal House and comedy history
27:18 Growing up in broken home and finding Hollywood
36:33 Becoming Johnny Quest
41:22 The West Wing and Aaron Sorkin
44:29 Buying National Lampoon
46:52 Clint Eastwood's advice about aging
47:52 Ryan Reynolds before superstardom
50:32 Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft stories
54:25 Final thoughts
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