Tim Matheson, the veteran actor known for his roles in The West Wing, Hart of Dixie, and Virgin River, is about to release his new memoir, Damn Glad to Meet You: My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches, on November 12th. In a recent interview, Matheson opened up about his career, the lessons he’s learned, and how his new book came to be.
A Cathartic Journey
Matheson describes the process of writing his memoir as both “cathartic” and “liberating,” comparing it to the feeling one might experience after a confession. He said, “While I’m not religious, it feels like what you must feel like after going to confession because you’ve owned everything.” The book serves as a reflection on his long and storied career, offering insights into his successes and mistakes, as well as the lessons he’s gleaned along the way.
“It was a bit cathartic, and I am glad to be able to share with younger filmmakers, actors, and writers the lessons that I’ve learned that can save them from bumping into walls and perhaps save them from some pain,” he added.
Praise From Peers: Reba McEntire’s Endorsement
The memoir has already received positive feedback from Matheson’s peers in the industry, including country music icon Reba McEntire. Matheson was particularly touched by Reba’s endorsement, calling it “super” to hear such praise, especially from someone of her stature. “I was just knocked out by the positive feedback. That was super, especially coming from Reba,” he said.
Matheson also expressed his admiration for the respect country artists have for their fans. “Country western performers adore their fans and treat them with such respect. They will do a 2.5 hour show, and they will spend time afterward signing autographs and taking pictures. That is why they are famous.”
Life Lessons and Personal Growth
One of the central themes of Damn Glad to Meet You is the importance of learning from mistakes and continuing to grow, both as an artist and a person. Matheson reflected, “This book taught me to own my mistakes, as well as the lessons that I learned from those mistakes. It taught me that it’s okay to make mistakes. I haven’t stopped learning and studying.”
Currently, he’s diving into a book on improv by Viola Spolin, which stresses being present in the moment. “I think that’s a wonderful description of what an actor is trying to accomplish,” he said. “The lesson is learn from the people that have been there before us.”
Virgin River and Future Plans
Looking ahead, Matheson is set to return to Virgin River for Season 7, which is expected to start filming in Vancouver in March 2025. Season 6, meanwhile, will drop on Netflix on December 19, 2024.
Matheson praised his Virgin River co-star Benjamin Hollingsworth, who plays the “bad boy” character of Brady. Despite his character’s tough persona, Matheson noted that Hollingsworth is “so great in real life.” He also shared what he loves about the show’s heartwarming tone, which he describes as “romantic, sweet, and very generational,” with characters spanning multiple age groups. “I tend to be the older one, so it’s nice,” he added.
The Current Chapter: “Reconstruction”
When asked about the title of this chapter of his life, Matheson described it as “Reconstruction.” After facing some setbacks with the dream house he built with his then-newlywed wife five years ago, Matheson shared that the house is now fully restored, and they’re preparing to move back in. “Now, we’ve completed the restoration of it, and we are getting ready to move back in again.”
Superpower and Success
If Matheson could have any superpower, it would be the ability to fly. “With hyper speed, you can help more people than just being in one place at a time,” he explained.
When it comes to his definition of success, Matheson believes it comes down to doing work he loves with people he respects. “Doing a job with people that I love, and that is still challenging to me as an actor, and brings me as much excitement as I had when I was first starting out,” he said. “I am so lucky since I found what I always wanted to do at an early age, and I can still have fun doing it.”
Pre-order Damn Glad to Meet You
Matheson’s new book, Damn Glad to Meet You: My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches, is available for pre-order through digital service providers. Fans can dive into his fascinating journey through Hollywood and take a closer look at the man behind the roles.
For more updates on Tim Matheson’s career and future projects, including Virgin River, follow him on Instagram.
