by Nathaniel R
Wilford Brimley and 80s child star Barret Oliver in Cocoon (1985)
A beloved character actor passed away this weekend. Wilford Brimley was born and died in Utah, but he became a fixture in mainstream Hollywood for a couple of decades for his earthy appeal and facility with adorable curmudgeons. Though he'd been acting since the 1960s he didn't crossover into true fame until the mid 80s...
Wilford Brimley in Absence of Malice (1981)
A series of memorable supporting roles in high profile films -- Absence of Malice (1981), The Thing (1982), Tender Mercies (1983), and The Natural (1984) -- served as an almost perfect crescendo to the blockbuster Cocoon (1985) that would make finally make him a "name". Other hits followed like The Firm (1993) and In & Out (1997).
Wilford Brimley's last film role was three years ago, in a Christian movie I Believe, but his popularity lives on... at the very least in a pop culture meme kind of ways.
In recent years the funny Twitter account "Brimley/Cocoon Line" has poked loving fun at how Brimley always seemed to be an old man, even when he was much younger by comparing him to current celebrities. It's shocking to realize but when Cocoon arrived in 1985, though he was cast alongside Hume Cronyn and Don Ameche (both 25+ years older) as one of the rascally senior citizens, he was just 51 years old!
"I get older, they stay the same age." Born Nov. 4, 1969, Matthew McConaughey is 18,530 days old today, matching Wilford Brimley's age on the day 'Cocoon' was released. Congrats @McConaughey! You've reached the Brimley/Cocoon Line. pic.twitter.com/yVkGFkQuF2
— Brimley/Cocoon Line (@BrimleyLine) July 29, 2020
Born July 24, 1969, in the Bronx, Ms. Jennifer Lopez is 18,530 days old today, matching Wilford Brimley's age on the day 'Cocoon' was released. Congrats to @JLo, the one and only Jenny from the Block -- you've reached the Brimley/Cocoon Line. pic.twitter.com/794uJksD8Z
— Brimley/Cocoon Line (@BrimleyLine) April 17, 2020
Born 15 October 1969, actor Dominic West ('The Wire,' 'The Affair') is 18,530 days old today, matching Wilford Brimley's age on the day 'Cocoon' was released. Congrats, @DominicWest! You've reached the Brimley/Cocoon Line. pic.twitter.com/1bbK0NrHtI
— Brimley/Cocoon Line (@BrimleyLine) July 9, 2020
Born October 3, 1969, No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani is 18,530 days old today, making her the same age as Wilford Brimley on the day 'Cocoon' was released. Congrats, @gwenstefani! You've reached the Brimley/Cocoon Line. pic.twitter.com/ZIV02DeDdA
— Brimley/Cocoon Line (@BrimleyLine) June 27, 2020
Do you have a favourite Wilford Brimley performance?
We're partial to his small but expertly authoritative performance in Absence of Malice. Or maybe his baseball manager in The Natural.