Wilford Brimley
Wilford Brimley (born September 27, 1934 – died August 1, 2020) was a rugged character actor and committed health advocate known for Cocoon, The Natural, his trademark mustache, and his longtime promotion of diabetes awareness.
Introduction
Anthony Wilford Brimley was an American character actor whose distinctive visage, grizzled voice, and surprisingly versatile talent made him a memorable presence in film, television, and advertising. Over a career spanning five decades (1967–2017), he became especially known for roles in The China Syndrome, The Thing, Cocoon, The Natural, and for his familiar face in Quaker Oats and diabetes awareness campaigns.
Though often cast as an older, no-nonsense figure, Brimley’s life behind the screen was full of variety—from military service to working as a ranch hand and blacksmith, to advocating for health issues later in life.
Early Life & Background
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Brimley was born Anthony Wilford Brimley on September 27, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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His mother was Lola Samantha (née Nelson); his father, Wilford Charles Brimley, worked as a real estate broker.
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Brimley had a diverse ancestry: English, Scottish, Danish, German, Welsh, and Swiss-German among others.
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At around age 14, he dropped out of high school and began working in ranch and farm jobs—he spent years as a cowboy, blacksmith, wrangler, and doing odd jobs across the Western states.
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In 1953, he joined the United States Marine Corps, serving for three years (including deployment in the Aleutian Islands) before being honorably discharged.
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After his military service, he worked a variety of jobs—including being a bodyguard for Howard Hughes—before entering the film industry.
These early experiences contributed to the rugged authenticity he brought to many of his screen roles.
Acting Career: From Westerns to Iconic Roles
Getting Into Acting
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In the late 1960s, Brimley began working in Hollywood as a stuntman, extra, and riding extra in Western films and television projects.
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He became friends with Robert Duvall, who encouraged him to pursue acting roles beyond stunts and extras.
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One of Brimley’s early recurring TV roles was as Horace Brimley, the town blacksmith, in The Waltons (1974–1977).
Breakthrough & Character Roles
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His first significant credited film role came in The China Syndrome (1979), playing Ted Spindler, a co-worker caught in the drama surrounding a nuclear plant safety crisis.
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Through the 1980s, Brimley developed a reputation as a compelling supporting actor in serious films:
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In Absence of Malice (1981), he played a hard-nosed Assistant U.S. Attorney General.
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In John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), he portrayed Dr. Blair, part of a research team in Antarctica confronting an alien threat.
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He appeared in Tender Mercies (1983) as a friend to Robert Duvall’s character.
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In The Natural (1984), he played Pop Fisher, the grizzled manager of a baseball team.
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Perhaps his most iconic role came in Cocoon (1985) as Ben Luckett, one of a group of seniors who discover an alien pool with life-restoring powers. Although Brimley was much younger than the typical aged character, he was made up to look older.
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He reprised Cocoon in the sequel Cocoon: The Return (1988).
Television & Later Films
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Brimley starred in the NBC series Our House (1986–1988) as Gus Witherspoon, a grandfather figure imparting wisdom to a blended family.
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In The Firm (1993), he played a shady security chief, a departure from some of his gentler roles.
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Brimley also appeared in In & Out (1997), supporting Kevin Kline as his father, and in smaller roles in films and television throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
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His final credited film role was in I Believe (2017).
He consistently played characters older than himself, often with stern but sympathetic qualities, which became his signature in Hollywood.
Commercials & Advocacy
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Beyond acting, Brimley became a widely recognized spokesman for Quaker Oats, appearing in commercials starting in the late 1980s with the catchphrase “It’s the right thing to do.”
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He also appeared in television ads for Liberty Medical, promoting diabetes test supplies and health care awareness.
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Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1979, Brimley became an outspoken advocate for diabetes education and management.
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His pronunciation of “diabetes” as “diabeetus” in commercials gained cultural notoriety and even meme status online.
Personal Life & Death
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Brimley married Lynne Bagley in 1956; they had four sons (James Charles, John Michael, William Carmen, and Lawrence Dean).
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Lynne passed away in 2000. In 2007, Brimley married Beverly Berry.
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He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon).
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For many years, he lived between Greybull, Wyoming and Santa Clara, Utah.
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Brimley passed away on August 1, 2020, at a hospital in St. George, Utah, at age 85, after complications from a kidney condition.
Notable Quotes & Public Voice
While Brimley was more known for presence than quotable speeches, a few remarks and memes linger:
“When you go banking, do you think they quit and say, ‘All right, we’re done for the day’?”
— From a Quaker Oats commercial, reflecting his folksy, direct style in commercials.
His calm, authoritative persona made even simple lines memorable and trustworthy.
Legacy & Impact
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Brimley carved out a unique niche as a character actor who could convey both grit and warmth, often playing roles older than his actual age.
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His visibility in health advocacy, particularly for diabetes, turned him into more than an actor—he became a public educator on chronic illness.
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In popular culture, his Quaker Oats ads and his distinctive mustache became part of his persona—and the “diabeetus” meme live on in internet culture.
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Many remember him for bringing authentic ruggedness and a lived-in face to supporting roles, giving depth to characters that might otherwise have been stereotypes.