Born August 25, 1969 in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, Mathison attended McGill University in Montreal and graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree. Cameron was diagnosed at 2-1/2 years old with Legg-Pertheas disease, which is a degeneration of the hip bones, and for which he spent six months in the hospital, then the next 3-1/2 years on crutches, wearing a steel A-frame brace on his legs. According to reports, it was the struggle with his condition that first inspired him to build up his body and eventually led to the famous "six pack" abs.. Fully recovered from this start, he is an avid sports enthusiast. Mathison is a twelve-handicap golfer, an avid skier and is currently training for triathlons.

Cameron Mathison made his feature film debut in the 1998 Miramax release, 54. His television credits include F/X -- The Series and the television movie, Any Mother's Son, with Bonnie Bedelia. Mathison hosted ABC's live world premiere of Walt Disney's animated feature, Tarzan, and filmed a Canadian independent feature, Washed Up. In 1999, he received the Outstanding Male Newcomer award at the Soap Opera Awards in Los Angeles, and in June 2000 was voted one of America's 100 most eligible bachelors in People Magazine.