About
Wilford Brimley, born in Salt Lake City, left school to serve in the Marines before working as a cowboy and bodyguard. He entered Hollywood as a stuntman, then acted in films such as The China Syndrome, The Thing, Tender Mercies, Cocoon, and The Firm. He also starred in the TV series Our House. Diagnosed with diabetes in 1979, he became a prominent advocate for diabetes awareness. A jazz singer, he recorded several albums.
* 1934-09-27 — † 2020-08-01
Major works
- The China Syndrome (1979)film
- The Thing (1982)film
- Tender Mercies (1983)film
- Cocoon (1985)film
- Our House (1986)TV series
Key milestones
- 1955Served in the U.S. Marine Corps until 1958.
- 1979Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
- 2008Honored by the American Diabetes Association for his advocacy.
Themes
DiabetesAmerican rural lifeFamilyAgingJazz
Sources: nytimes.com · diabetes.org · televisionacademy.com