Actor Tim Matheson chatted with AOL members on March 15, 2000.  Tim talked about his guest appearances on "The West Wing."  See what he said below.   Scroll down to read the full transcript... TV Guide Online:  Tonight we are talking to Tim Matheson about "The West Wing" and the upcoming UPN film "Hellswarm." Welcome, Tim! Thanks for coming!  Tim Matheson:  It's great to be here in cyberspace, and I look forward to visiting with everyone who's here in the room.  Question:  When you auditioned for "The West Wing," was the vice president your first role choice?  Tim Matheson:  Yes, it was, because the show had already done its pilot, so they were only casting for the VP at that point, but I think that every VP would rather be president. :)  Question:  Do you see yourself doing more directing, or are you primarily an actor?  Tim Matheson:  For UPN, I did a movie called "Hellswarm," in which I acting and directed, which is the most fun of all. I look forward to doing more of that. But acting is my primary job.  Question:  Tim you make me sick!!!!!! You're better looking now than you were 30 years ago in "Yours, Mine and Ours." You would have 10 Oscars by now if we fans were voting. How about an autobiography for us?  Tim Matheson:  Wow... wow... that's so flattering. Thank you, mom. :) I'm still so in the middle of my life, I've never thought of putting it all down on paper. And it would probably sell about 11 copies. But thank you very much. :)  Question:  While I really loved you in "Animal House," the roles of yours that I really remember are "Johnny Quest" and Jace from "Space Ghost" -- PARTICULARLY "Johnny Quest." ;) Do you have fond memories from those times, and do you consider voice acting a lost art?  Tim Matheson:  I was very lucky to participate in the cartoon medium at an early age and learn so much about it and work with a lot of the great all-timers... Mel Blanc and Daws Bulter and Janet Waldo. But I have gotten away from that whole world, and I do miss it. It was so much fun, almost like what I imagine doing radio was like back in the old days.  Question:  I loved the movie "Yours, Mine and Ours." In fact, I own a copy and watch it frequently. What was it like to work with Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball?  Tim Matheson:  It was so fabulous at an early age to share the stage with people like Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, that I learned a tremendous amount from each of them. And it was an opportunity to peek into a generation of Hollywood stars and to learn about the tremendous discipline and skill that they ALL had. They all worked very, very hard at what they did.  Question:  I think the show "The West Wing" is great. What is it like working on the set, and how true is the script to the "real thing"?  Tim Matheson:  It is one of the most fabulous sets I have ever worked on. It seems so real, and it's actually pretty close to the real thing. And that makes the acting seem more real as well. And the show has consultants to keep the situation as close to real as possible.  Question:  You seem to be a constant fixture on both the big and small screens. What do you do for relaxation?  Tim Matheson:  Most of my relaxation time is spent with my three children. My son is 6, and my daughters are 12 and 13, and with my wife Megan. And we live outside of Hollywood, so I try to focus on family when I'm not working.  Question:  Do most people still remember you best as Otter from "Animal House" above all your other roles?  Tim Matheson:  In comedy, yes. I think the most recognizable shows I've done are "Animal House," "Fletch," "A Very Brady Sequel," "Buried Alive" and maybe "Johnny Quest."  Question:  Congratulations for appearing in a show which actually engages the viewer. "West Wing" is one of the very best (and there are very few in the same company). I actually look forward to Wednesdays at 9. Will they be expanding your role?  Tim Matheson:  We never know from one week to the next what Aaron is going to focus his scripts on. But I hope to participate even more next year, when the show comes back. And it's also a great treat for the actors to work on such intelligent, bright, literate, well-written material, and I'm glad that the audience likes it so much.  Question:  How is Martin Sheen to work with?  Tim Matheson:  He is a fabulous actor, obviously, and a warm, giving, friendly and caring human being as well.  Question:  Hi, tell me, if you were not an actor, what would you be doing today?  Tim Matheson:  That's easy. I would probably still be in show business. More than likely, I would have gone into the camera department and would have one day become a cameraman. It's hard after having worked in the movie business to think about doing anything else, because the people and the work are so great.  Question:  When will "Hellspawn" be on, and what is it about?  Tim Matheson:  "Hellswarm" will be on Friday night on UPN at 8PM ET. It is a science fiction/horror movie in the tradition of "The Blob" and "The Fly" and movies that I admired growing up as a kid and would sneak into the drive-in to watch. So it was fun for me to tackle that genre as a director. We got to blow things up, set fire to people and watch the aliens try to wipe out humanity, all in the name of entertainment. Kids, don't try this at home. :)  Question:  Who was your biggest influence to start acting?  Tim Matheson:  I think, odd as it sounds, my first desire to become an actor was from an old movie with Charles Laughton in it. And, as for actors who are inspiring to me, I would say Kevin Spacey, Donald Sutherland... I like Michael Douglas a lot, and anyone who takes chances and keeps growing and learning their whole career.  Question:  What is the next movie we can look forward to seeing you in?  Tim Matheson:  I am working on a movie right now with Mare Winningham called "Sharing the Secret." It's about a young girl with bulimia, and it should be on for May sweeps. I play Mare's ex-husband and father of the girl who has this terrible problem. And then I'm going to do a pilot for TNT called "Breaking News" about the backstage at a network news organization. Sort of in the spirit of "The Insider." Plus, whenever duty calls, I will continue to perform in my function as the VP of the United States.  Question:  Do you have a web site and/or a fan club?  Tim Matheson:  I do not have a website, but any letters can sent to the following address:  Tim Matheson, 1187 Coast Village Rd. #1-504, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, and I would be happy to receive any mail from there, and it will come to me through that address.  Question:  What advice would you give young actors or actresses who want to make it big?  Tim Matheson:  Don't skimp on the training, and continue to take class. I think the best training I received was in classical repertory theater doing Shakespeare, Shaw and Moliere. I think that the deeper an actor's craft and experience, the more easily he or she can work in a modern drama as well.  Question:  Is there a subject or person you would like to see be made into a movie?  Tim Matheson:  Golly... not any real historical people, but the kinds of movies that I personally want to make as a director are scary movies and action/comedies. And so, I'm always looking for books and stories to try and translate into cinema in those genres.  Question:  Hi!  Saw you in "Division Street" at the Mark Taper Forum. Sat in the front row. Any future personal appearances/theater roles in the upcoming future? Would love to see you again.  Tim Matheson:  Thank you very much. :) I have basically traded my live theater in for my directing career and haven't done any theater lately. I miss it terribly. It's always great for an actor to get back on stage, because I think that's where an actor really learns how to act. But, for the foreseeable future, I don't think I'll be back on the stage for a while.  TV Guide Online:  See "Hellswarm" on UPN this Friday at 8PM ET. Thanks, Tim! We enjoyed this, and please come back soon!  Tim Matheson:  You bet. I had a wonderful time visiting with everyone, and I look forward to returning here soon and talking further with everyone. :)  Portions of this transcript may be edited by AOL to correct spelling, punctuation and/or remove any material that violates AOL's Terms of Service.  Copyright 2000 TV Guide, Inc.; licensed to America Online, Inc.