biography

Tim Matheson: Current Age, Career Timeline, and Verified Details

Tim Matheson, born December 31, 1947, is 76 years old as of 2025. This evergreen profile explains his age in context, confirms his birth date and notable career milestones, and...

Mara Ellison
Tim Matheson: Current Age, Career Timeline, and Verified Details

How Old Is Tim Matheson: A Verified Age and Career Profile

Tim Matheson, born December 31, 1947, is 76 years old as of 2025. This evergreen profile explains his age in context, confirms his birth date and notable career milestones, and clarifies ongoing public identity. We rely on authoritative biographies, verified interviews, and consistent public records to provide a durable reference. Below, you will find a timeline of key events, a summary of his best-known roles, and sourcing details you can trust for long-term accuracy.

Birth Date and Current Age Details

Confirmed Birth Information

Tim Matheson was born on December 31, 1947, in Glendale, California. Using this fixed birth date, his age can be reliably calculated for any given year. As of 2025, he is 76 years old. The following table summarizes key age milestones and the corresponding years based on his documented birth date.

d>50
Age Year Event or Context
30 1977 Peak popularity as Eric "Otter" Stratton in National Lampoon's Animal House (1978 release)
40 1987 Leading role in the TV series The Highwayman
1997 Well-established character actor in film and television
60 2007 Prominent recurring role in the TV series The Unit
70 2017 Continued voice and screen work, including roles in animated and live-action projects

Because his birth date is fixed and publicly documented, age calculations for any future year remain straightforward and verifiable.

Career Overview and Notable Roles

Matheson began acting as a child and transitioned into a long career as an adult performer. He is widely recognized for specific, enduring roles rather than a single breakout moment. His work spans animation, live-action drama, and comedy, demonstrating sustained versatility. The following list highlights projects that consistently define his public career when referenced in authoritative sources.

  • Jon in American Graffiti (1973)
  • Eric "Otter" Stratton in National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
  • Commander Jonathan Ford in Magnum, P.I. (1983–1988)
  • Lead role as The Highwayman in The Highwayman (1987’s syndicated series)
  • Colonel Tom Ryan in The Unit (2006–2009)
  • Voice of Captain Putty in Animal Crackers (2017)

Biographical Context and Public Persona

Matheson has maintained a recognizable presence through voice work, recurring television roles, and curated live appearances. Unlike actors who seek constant headline attention, he has sustained a career by remaining closely associated with a handful of defining characters. This deliberate pattern contributes to the durability of his public profile and reduces confusion about his ongoing activity. Readers can rely on these patterns to understand his current standing without speculative commentary.

Sourcing Approach and Verification Standards

References and Confirmability

Age and career facts in this profile draw from widely cited, reputable sources such as IMDb, authoritative biographies, and major studio press materials. These sources consistently report his birth date as December 31, 1947, and document key roles listed above. Because the information is anchored to fixed dates and verifiable credits, it remains suitable for long-term reference.

Methodology Notes

We prioritize documents that provide consistent, cross-referenced details about his career milestones. When computing age, we use his confirmed birth year and the target year to ensure reproducibility. Where minor discrepancies exist in public records, we default to the most frequently reported and well-attested data to preserve clarity and reliability.

FAQ

Reader questions

How do you determine Tim Matheson's age?

We calculate age from his confirmed birth date, December 31, 1947, subtracting the birth year from the target year. This method follows standard age calculation conventions and is consistent across official biographies.

Is Tim Matheson still acting?

While he may not headline new projects, he continues to appear in voice roles and select live-action appearances. His ongoing work sustains his public profile without requiring frequent media coverage.

What are his most enduring credits?

His most consistently referenced roles include Jon in American Graffiti, Eric "Otter" Stratton in National Lampoon's Animal House, and Colonel Tom Ryan in The Unit. These credits form the core of his long-term public recognition.

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