Wilford Brimley, ‘Cocoon’ Star, Dies at 85
Wilford Brimley, the beloved character actor who starred in such film as “Cocoon” and “The Natural,” died Saturday at age 85.
He had been sick for two months with a kidney ailment, his agent told the New York Times.
The Utah native found his breakthrough role as a recurring character in the 1970s period drama “The Waltons.” Soon, he played a range of often crotchety characters on the big screen, including a nuclear power plant engineer in 1979’s “The China Syndrome,” a tenacious district attorney in 1981’s “Absence of Malice,” a country music manager in 1983’s “Tender Mercies” and the manager of a perpetually losing baseball team in 1984’s “The Natural.”
His biggest role may have come in Ron Howard’s 1985 hit “Cocoon” as the leader of a group of outcast senior citizens who discover a swimming pool that magically restores their youth — a character that was significantly older than his then age of 49. He reprised the role in a 1988 sequel.
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In the 1980s, Brimley also gained famed as the on-camera spokesman for Quaker Oats and Liberty Medical, which sold diabetes-testing kits.
Other notable films included “The Thing” (1982),”High Road to China” (1983), “The Firm” (1993), “In & Out” (1997) and “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” (2009). He also had a cameo as an irascible postmaster general in a 1997 episode of “Seinfeld.”
After news of Brimley’s passing broke, several celebrities took to Twitter to pay their respects.
RIP Wilford Brimley
What an absolute legend.
I was lucky enough to make my first movie with him. I was only 8, but he treated me like a peer, and gave me confidence as an actor. Forever grateful for his kindness & generosity. Plus he was funny: pic.twitter.com/SY5L5m9zib
— Seth Green (@SethGreen) August 2, 2020
RIP Wilford Brimley – so many great performances, but I’ll never forget seeing him sing this surprisingly tender "It's Not Easy Being Green" https://t.co/xdvh9qGhMj
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) August 2, 2020
I am very sad to hear of Wilford Brimleys passing. He was a very early and passionate supporter of my Dads. I had the privilege of spending time with him on the trail, including a special bus tour with veterans. Sending love, prayers and gratitude for our experiences with him. pic.twitter.com/zRv5z01CNF
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) August 2, 2020
I was very sad to hear that actor Wilford Brimley passed away today. ?? His beautiful, humble, and fierce characters in ‘The China Syndrome’ and ‘The Natural’ are two performances I love. What an amazing actor, Rest In Peace sir ?? pic.twitter.com/OR1SHsBKfs
— Piper Perabo #StayHome (@PiperPerabo) August 2, 2020
Wilford Brimley, after having a long life and amazing career as an actor, has died at the age of 85.
His performance as "Blair," (Senior Biologist of the U.S. Outpost 31), in my favorite sci-fi film, John Carpenter's: The Thing, will always stand out for me.
Rest easy, sir. pic.twitter.com/V7ZanopxRj
— Eddie McClintock (@EddieMcClintock) August 2, 2020
So sad to read this. I loved Wilford Brimley. It was a gift to get to work with him in the film “ Tender Mercies.” Great actor! #RIP Wilford. https://t.co/IjXJC8oLP1
— Betty Buckley (@BettyBuckley) August 2, 2020
Wilford Brimley was a wonderful man and actor.
I had the great pleasure of working with him. He always made me laugh. https://t.co/kkWWr6FAYx
— Barbara Hershey (@BarbaraHershey8) August 2, 2020
Read original story Wilford Brimley, ‘Cocoon’ Star, Dies at 85 At TheWrap