Wilford Brimley, 'Cocoon' and 'Natural' actor, dies at 85
Wilford Brimley, who worked his way up from movie stunt rider to an indelible character actor who brought gruff charm, and sometimes menace, to a range of films that included “Cocoon,” “The Natural” and “The Firm,” has died. He was 85.
Brimley’s manager Lynda Bensky said the actor died Saturday morning in a Utah hospital. He was on dialysis and had several medical ailments, she said.
The mustached Brimley was a familiar face for a number of roles, often playing characters like his grizzled baseball manager in “The Natural” (1984) opposite Robert Redford's bad-luck phenomenon. He also worked with Redford in “Brubaker” (1980) and “The Electric Horseman” (1979).
Brimley's best-known work was in “Cocoon,” in which he was part of a group of seniors who discover an alien pod that rejuvenates them. The 1985 Ron Howard film won two Oscars, including a supporting actor honor for Don Ameche.
Brimley also starred in “Cocoon: The Return,” a 1988 sequel.
At: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/wilford-brimley-cocoon-and-natural-actor-dies-at-85/2546529/
Wilford Brimley, 1934-2020.
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