Tim Matheson, best known for his role in Animal House, recently discussed his past encounters with cocaine, expressing gratitude for not becoming addicted like many of his peers.

In an interview with Page Six about his new memoir, Damn Glad to Meet You—a nod to a famous line from the iconic comedy—Matheson shared that his acting career helped prevent him from succumbing to drug abuse.

Despite indulging occasionally during the peak of his career, Matheson was mindful of how excessive cocaine use could affect his work.

As a paycheck-to-paycheck actor, he couldn’t afford to jeopardize his livelihood by falling into addiction. He admitted to using cocaine but made a conscious effort to keep it under control, knowing it could harm his career prospects.

Matheson reflected on the era’s drug culture, noting how many of his contemporaries, including fellow Animal House star John Belushi, underestimated the dangers of cocaine.

Belushi’s death from a cocaine and heroin overdose in 1982 at age 33 served as a stark warning. Matheson credits his ability to steer clear of addiction as a key factor in his ongoing success.

Since Animal House, Matheson has built a diverse career with prominent roles in The West Wing, Hart of Dixie, Fletch, Black Sheep, and Virgin River. Looking back, he feels fortunate for avoiding addiction, believing it could have severely impacted his accomplishments.