Wilford Brimley, 'Cocoon' and 'Natural' actor, dies at 85

[sandensea]

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.