Tim Matheson Says Henry Winkler Offered Him a Role inMacGyver: 'Sounded Silly to Me at the Time'

Mar. 15, 2025

Tim Matheson; Henry Winkler in ‘MacGyver’.Photo:Mark Schafer/CBS via Getty; ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Mark Schafer/CBS via Getty; ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Matheson shared that he received the offer in 1983 after he had wrapped filming on a detective comedy series calledTucker’s Witchthat was canceled after its first season.

Tim Matheson attends the premiere of ‘Child’s Play’ in 2019.Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

He wrote, “I was exhausted and needed a break.”

That same year, Matheson said he had a special encounter with three-time Emmy winner Winkler and he offered him a role in the the now-hit seriesMacGyver, which he was executive producing.

“Henry Winkler took me out to lunch to offer me the chance to play a secret agent working for the shadowy Department of External Services,” he wrote. “The character, a guy with extraordinary scientific resourcefulness, could solve any problem using everyday materials at hand.”

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Matheson noted his appreciation for the variety of each episode in the show, but still had some major hesitations. “Personality-wise, the character was totally in my wheelhouse. But all the rest sounded silly to me at the time,” he wrote.

Henry Winkler in a 1990 episode of ‘MacGyver’.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Ultimately, he passed on the offer.

During its run, the series was nominated for four Emmy Awards.

Matheson wrote in his book that, nearly 10 years later, he also turned down a role inSeventh Heavenbecause it “looked like a wimpy show” and he was “holding out for a film.”

“Foolishly, I said no,” he wrote of the experience. “Adding insult to injury. It was only about to get worse.”

The role instead went toStephen Collins, who Matheson wrote “always envied my career.” It ran for 11 years.

Tim Matheson in ‘Tucker’s Witch’ in 1982.CBS via Getty

CBS via Getty

Shortly after, Matheson claimed he was set to direct the 1999 television movieAs Time Runs Outfor USA Studios and Universal. He wrote that the production team suggested they cast Collins in the lead role, to which he hesitantly agreed.

TheHart of Dixiestar alleged that Collins refused to star in the movie if he was directing it, which led to him being let go from the production.

About 15 years later, Collinsadmitted to ‘inappropriate sexual conduct’with three female minors, Matheson pointed out in the book.

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Matheson’s new book details his extensive Hollywood career and his experience with industry greats such asChris Farley,Chevy Chase,Penny Marshall,Dick Van Dykeand more.

Hachette Books

Along with juicy behind-the-scenes stories, he also includes “film school boot camp lessons” to provide more in-depth insight into working the industry.

As of late, Matheson has found success starring in the Netflix hit seriesVirgin Riveras local physician Vernon “Doc” Mullins, a role which he also almost turned down due toconcerns of being typecastafter his recent role in the CW drama seriesHart of Dixie.

“I figured there was no way they would want me for this after 80 episodes of me playing a similar character on the WB,” the actor wrote. “While typecasting often works, I’d too often heard, ‘Oh, we’ve seen him play that before; we want something … fresh.”

source: people.com