Tim Matheson

“If I was asked to do a film that was just trying to sell a political point of view or religious point of view, I wouldn't do that because that's a bad script.”

“I love Sam Raimi. 'Evil Dead 2' is one of my favorite films. It's one of the best cheaper horror films I've ever seen. Horror films and suspense films can be made on a low budget without big stars and be very effective.”

“Rod Lurie is one of the most wonderful directors I have had the pleasure to work with. He shoots like Clint Eastwood: no fuss. When he gets it, he knows it - one or two takes.”

“Ronald Reagan was the Governor of California. He had earned the right to be considered for President of the United States. You learn a lot about a person by the way they have served. None of this applies to Trump. There's no disclosure with him. I just think the man is a very troubled, emotional mess.”

“Vice president is the bridesmaid, and nobody cares about you. Nobody wants you. You're just in the way. You're there to play a subsidiary role. You're like the middle child or the poor relation.”

“I was born and raised in L.A. My father was born and raised in L.A. So we're old hands here.”

“I was directing as a kid in movies, and that was always my strongest interest. When I was under contract at Universal, I conned an editing room out of them and spent my money to rent a camera and shoot film and make some movies.”

“When you're the president, there's tremendous respect, and everybody goes out of their way respecting you and honoring you... it can be a trap. Nobody says 'Boo' to you, and nobody tells you you're wrong, hardly, if you have the wrong people around you.”

“The basis of Ronald Reagan was his humanity. I might not have agreed with his politics, but my research - all I read about him and by him - was that he was revered because he had a big heart. He was very religious and sincere. He believed that one spoke truths because, otherwise, people would know you were lying. None of that even applies to Trump.”

“I've played historical characters before, and I think the trap of all of them is if you try to do an impression. If that's what you're working on when you're doing a scene, then your focus is on the wrong thing.”

“In my experience, I have learned that there is rarely the perfect man for the perfect job, but Reagan was born to play the role of president. He was an inspirational leader when the country really needed it.”

“I love J. F. K. My mother had been a worker on his campaign and adored him.”

“You know, I'm a big comic book fan. As a kid I used to collect them until there was a horrible mudslide in Hollywood and I lost my collection, but I was also at an early age the voice of 'Jonny Quest;' it was a cartoon; so I am kind of a latent fan boy.”

“I always fall in love with every character I play.”

“Working with Lucille Ball was just a master class in how to do comedy.”

“I enjoy making feature films, but I'd rather be in a good TV series than mediocre movies.”

“Acting requires emotional flexibility and demands, and directing is more cerebral and managerial and a tactical kind of thing.”

“Anything is better than sitting around waiting for the right movie to come along. I lose my edge when I'm sitting around the pool not working.”

“I always wanted to be an actor. I was one of those lucky kids - or cursed kids - who always knew what he wanted to do.”

“My parents were going through a divorce, and I used to go spend all weekend at the movies to get away from it all. There was something about the sameness of the movies. It was a place for me to go to express my emotions, you know, and let it out.”