Anthony Wilford Brimley transitioned from a career shoeing horses for film sets to becoming a fixture of 1980s cinema. Born in 1934 in Salt Lake City, he developed a reputation for portraying characters significantly older than his actual age, often appearing as a gravelly, seasoned presence in both high-profile studio dramas and memorable television commercial campaigns.
Early Employment and Military Service
Before his acting career, Brimley led a transient life. He dropped out of high school at 14 to work as a cowboy across Arizona, Idaho, and Nevada. In 1953, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving for three years in the Aleutian Islands. His subsequent civilian work included periods as a blacksmith, a wrangler, a ranch hand, and a bodyguard for Howard Hughes. He entered the film industry as a stunt performer and riding extra in Westerns, encouraged by his friend Robert Duvall.
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Brimley achieved early television success portraying the blacksmith Horace Brimley on The Waltons between 1974 and 1977. His feature film breakthrough arrived in 1979 with The China Syndrome. Throughout the 1980s, he secured significant roles in major productions, including The Thing, The Natural, and Country. In Ron Howard's 1985 film Cocoon, the then-50-year-old actor underwent physical transformations to portray a geriatric retirement home resident, a performance that highlighted his ability to inhabit characters decades his senior.
Commercial Work and Later Projects
Beyond film, Brimley became the face of Quaker Oats in a 1987 advertising campaign, famously promoting the product with the slogan 'It's the right thing to do.' He later gained visibility as a spokesperson for Liberty Medical, where his appearances regarding diabetes education eventually gained traction as an Internet meme. His later career included roles in independent films and television guest spots, such as his appearance as an intimidating Postmaster General in Seinfeld.
Musical Pursuits
Brimley was also an active musician, noted for a warm vocal style. He performed with the Cal State Northridge Jazz Band and self-released a collection of jazz standards in 2004 titled This Time, The Dream's On Me. An accomplished harmonica player, he performed on television programs, including a notable 2011 appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. In 2013, he collaborated with the group Riders in the Sky on the album Home on the Range.
Fast facts
- Born: 1934, Salt Lake City
- Died: 2020, St. George
- Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps, 1953
- Notable Film: Cocoon (1985)
- Notable Television Series: The Waltons
- Education: Juilliard School
- Primary Occupation: Actor
Questions readers ask
Was Wilford Brimley actually elderly during his most famous roles?
He was often cast as men much older than his actual age. For example, he was only 49 when cast as an elderly man in the 1985 film Cocoon, requiring heavy makeup and hair bleaching.
How did Wilford Brimley transition into acting?
He began as a blacksmith shoeing horses for film sets. Through his friend Robert Duvall, he started working as a stunt performer and riding extra in Westerns during the 1960s.
Achievements
- Educated at Juilliard School
- Worked as actor, comedian and television actor
