Tim Matheson, known for his role in “Animal House,” recently opened up about his past experiences with cocaine in his new memoir, “Damn Glad to Meet You.” In an interview with Page Six, Matheson revealed that he considered himself lucky for never getting too deep into cocaine use. Despite playing hard in his younger days, he always had a fear of how drug use would impact his acting career.
As a working actor living paycheck to paycheck, Matheson was acutely aware of the risks of getting addicted to cocaine. He admitted to not completely shunning the drug, but he didn’t indulge as much as some of his peers who were higher up in the industry. One of those peers was John Belushi, who tragically passed away from a cocaine and heroin overdose at the young age of 33.
Matheson reflected on the misinformation surrounding cocaine during his time, with many in his generation believing it wasn’t harmful. However, he now understands the dangers associated with drug use and is grateful that he never let it take control of his life.
Since his days in “Animal House,” Matheson has gone on to have a successful career in Hollywood. He has appeared in various television shows and movies, including “The West Wing,” “Hart of Dixie,” “Fletch,” “Batman: The Animated Series,” “Black Sheep,” “Van Wilder,” and “Virgin River.”
Looking back, Matheson realizes that drug addiction could have severely limited his career opportunities. He credits his cautious approach to drug use for allowing him to continue working in the industry. Overall, Matheson is thankful for avoiding the pitfalls of addiction and is focused on his continued success in the entertainment world.
