- When he originally auditioned for National Lampoon's Animal House (1978), the producers wanted him to play one of the no-nonsense. straight-laced Omegas. However, he adamantly refused, saying, "I'm tired of playing it straight," and sought a role as one of the hard-partying, fun-loving Deltas. He succeeded and got the role of Otter, one of the most fun-loving Deltas of the whole film.
- Served in the USMC reserves.
- Was the voice of Jonny Quest in the Jonny Quest (1964) series.
- For years after playing ladies'-man Otter in National Lampoon's Animal House (1978), he had to explain to disappointed fans that, no, that was only a character he played, and he couldn't really offer them sexual advice.
- He met his first wife Jennifer Leak when they were co-stars in the movie Yours, Mine and Ours (1968).
- Daughters: Molly Matthieson (b. 1986), Emma Matthieson (b. 1988).
- Son: Cooper Matthieson (b. 1994).
- Shot his entire part in Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia (2009) in two days.
- He played Lieutenant Andrei Sobinski in To Be or Not to Be (1983) while his 1941 (1979) co-star Robert Stack played him in the original version To Be or Not to Be (1942).
- Worked with John Belushi, John Candy, Sam Kinison, and Chris Farley, all (legendary) overweight comic actors who died at a young age(JB-33, drugs; JC-43, heart attack; SK-38, drunk driver; CF-33, drugs).
- Shares his birthday with Val Kilmer.
- He played similar roles in Hart of Dixie and Virgin River and the series have almost similar story lines.
- Played a character with the surname Stratton in National Lampoon's National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) and then a character trying to romance a beautiful young woman whose surname was Stratton in 1941 (1979).
- Lives in Los Angeles, California.
- He is portrayed by Finn Wittrock in A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018).
- Born at 9:00pm-PST.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content